Even though Father’s Day didn’t become a national holiday until decades after Mother’s Day, it’s just as an important a time to remember the other person who helped raise the kids in the family.
Father’s Day spending on gifts and restaurant meals lags behind Mother’s Day, when $33 billion was spent, but the National Retail Federation estimates it will top $22 billion for Father’s Day this year. Not bad when you consider that many families enjoy cooking on the grill at home for dad’s day. You can’t put a price on the value of a family gathering, homecooked meal, cookies or cake created just for dad.
Father’s Day is an ideal time for a family to get together with everyone contributing something toward a meal. Young children can help mix up cookies or cupcakes, make a card and give warm hugs. Grownup kids can make brunch or lunch, then take dad to a ballgame, fishing, movie or other outing. The best dads appreciate every little thing that is done for them.
If the dad in your life likes chocolate, this recipe from browneyedbaker.com should do the trick. Baked in a 9-by-13-inch pan, there will be plenty to share. A substitute for buttermilk is ½ scant cup of milk mixed with 1/2 tablespoon vinegar; allow to sit for five minutes so the milk can curdle.
For the cake:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
12-ounce can cola
1 cup unsalted butter cut into small cubes
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 eggs
½ cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the frosting:
12-ounce can cola
½ cup salted butter cut into small cubes
¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
1. Make the cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
3. In a small saucepan, stir together the cola, butter and cocoa powder over medium-high heat and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Pour into the flour mixture and stir with a rubber spatula until moistened.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk and vanilla until blended. Add to the batter, whisking constantly.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes.
6. Make the Frosting: About 15 minutes before the cake is finished, begin the frosting. In a small saucepan, bring the cola to a boil over high heat and cook until the liquid is reduced to ½ cup, about 12 to 15 minutes. Stir in the butter and cocoa powder until the butter is melted, then remove from the heat. Add the powdered sugar about 1 cup at a time, whisking until smooth. Pour immediately over the hot cake in an even layer. Allow the cake to cool to room temperature before serving. Leftovers should be covered and stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
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