Hi Kids! We've been trying to duplicate this cooked chocolate icing for years, and now that my grandmother (MeMaw) is 90 it has unfortunately become apparent that we need to get on our game if we expect this traditional family dessert to continue. My MeMaw got this recipe off the back of a (metal) Hersey's Cocoa tin, which she still has. It is an old fashioned cooked fudge icing that does pose its challenges. If you don't get it to the right stage it is runny. If you go too long it will either scorch or, just as bad, seize to the point it isn't spreadable. However, with practice, it is achievable. We plan on doing another at Christmas time to continue the effort.
Here is the scoop:
MeMaw's Cooked Cocoa Fudge Icing
2/3 cup of Hershey's Cocoa
3 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups evaporated milk (12 oz can)
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
Mix cocoa and sugar well. Add milk. On medium low heat, cook to softball stage, then add butter, vanilla and salt and continue to mix until incorporated. (NOTE: stir, stir, stir, stir, stir... ). Let cool a bit before icing a yellow cake. You may want to poke holes in cake to let icing seep through. You can do either a layer cake (makes enough for three layers) or a sheet pan cake.
This chocolate icing represents the childhood memories of my aunts, my cousins, and my cousins' children. I hope we're able to continue the tradition with honor and love.
~Mr. B
