My husband and I are what could be called foodies. We enjoy sampling and discovering new and different foods from all areas of the world.

Recipe Box Discovery

This chocolate mayonnaise cake recipe came from my mother's old recipe box where she kept tried and true recipes. Some of the handwritten recipes note from whom she acquired the recipe. This particular one does not mention a name, but since it is in her handwriting, I can only assume that this cake pleased her.

My husband and I decided to start trying some of the recipes from both of our mothers. They each had similar recipe boxes. It will be a nostalgic look into the past, and when we like the recipes, I'll happily share them with readers who happen to find the articles.

This cake is easy to make and is very moist, undoubtedly due to the mayonnaise.

Cook Time

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons cocoa
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups water

Instructions

1. Sift the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cocoa, and sugar twice. Use two bowls to accomplish this.
2. In a separate bowl, mix the mayonnaise, water, and vanilla.
3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry, and combine until well mixed.
4. Pour into a greased and floured 9x9-inch pan.
5. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

Photo Guide

Assemble the ingredients

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My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start. So far today, I have finished 2 bags of M&M's and a chocolate cake. I feel better already.

— Dave Barry

© 2020 Peggy Woods

Comments

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on December 03, 2020:

Hi Edwin,

I assume by your comment that you liked this recipe. Enjoy!

Edwin Alcantara from California on December 03, 2020:

Congrats!

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on December 02, 2020:

Hi Denise,

It is fun walking down memory lane. I just tried a recipe that dates back many decades from my paternal grandmother. Stay tuned! I'll be writing it up soon.

Blessings to you and yours.

Denise McGill from Fresno CA on December 02, 2020:

My mom had a similar recipe. I know that mayonnaise is made from egg whites and oil whipped so that accounts for the lack of eggs in the recipe. Thanks for sharing a walk down memory lane.

Blessings,

Denise

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on December 02, 2020:

Hi Ankita,

So glad you liked reading about this cake recipe from the past. I hope you enjoy it.

Ankita B on December 02, 2020:

The cake looks so delicious. I will definitely have to try it someday. Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on December 02, 2020:

Hi MG Singh,

You can perhaps share this sweet treat with others. That is what we typically do instead of eating an entire cake, pie, batch of cookies, or other sweets. Thanks for your comment.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on December 02, 2020:

Hi Brenda,

Eating a tiny piece with some raspberries should not upset his diet too much. Hope he likes it!

MG Singh emge from Singapore on December 01, 2020:

Wonderful. Recipe, I must try it out sometime when I make a dish as a hobby.

BRENDA ARLEDGE from Washington Court House on December 01, 2020:

Peggy,

This cake sounds amazing and not too difficult to make.

I know my partner is diabetic now, but he still wants to eat the occasional treat.

He says he doesn't want to give up everything...so I think I will try making this one later this month.

I saved it to my messenger.

I will let you know once I do.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on December 01, 2020:

Hi Devika,

Anyone who likes chocolate and a moist cake should enjoy this recipe. I am happy to share it with you.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on December 01, 2020:

Hi Rodric,

First of all, happy belated birthday. I pray your COVID test results are negative, and that you will be OK. Do enjoy this cake recipe when you make it.

Devika Primić from Dubrovnik, Croatia on December 01, 2020:

Hi Peggy I like Chocolate and this looks delicious.

Rodric Anthony from Surprise, Arizona on December 01, 2020:

I am going to try this recipe for Family Home Evening the first chance I get. I am in quarantine now because of a COVID scare. I am waiting for the test results. It was my birthday on Sunday, and I had to spend it in quarantine!

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on November 30, 2020:

Hi Mary,

Cream cheese in brownies sounds good. We do enjoy eating raspberries with chocolate desserts. They go together well. Thanks for the virtual visit and your comment.

Mary Norton from Ontario, Canada on November 30, 2020:

Hi Peggy,

I never thought mayonnaise would go well with cake but last summer a friend gave me brownies with cream cheese and it was so good. With raspberries, that would be a nice looking dessert.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on November 30, 2020:

Hi Chitrangada,

I am pleased that you noted my mother's handwriting as well as the recipe. Those handwritten cards from her are special to me. Thanks for your comment.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on November 30, 2020:

Hi Bill,

Since we are near the same age, I guess the retro recipes may be new to youngsters, but not us. Ha! Actually, I don't remember eating this when we were growing up. It may be because we enjoyed eating pies more than cakes, except for a special few.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on November 30, 2020:

Hi Diana Carol,

This cake recipe is indeed moist. I hope you enjoy it!

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on November 30, 2020:

Hi FlourishAnyway,

You can add frosting if you like, but it is not necessary for the moistness factor. It is a very moist cake all on its own. Thanks for your comment.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on November 30, 2020:

Hi Eurofile,

The mayonnaise ingredient is what caught my eye when I was going through my mother's old recipes. It is the first cake I have ever made using that ingredient, and it worked well. Thanks for the compliment on my photography.

Chitrangada Sharan from New Delhi, India on November 30, 2020:

This looks delicious and unique. I love baking cakes, and I make lot of experiments with my ingredients. Including mayonnaise sounds interesting, and I am going to try it.

What makes this recipe special, is that it’s from your mother, and mother’s recipes are the best. Her handwriting is so beautiful.

Thank you for sharing. This was too good. Wish you a happy week.

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on November 30, 2020:

It may be retro, but it's also delicious. I've had this numerous times and loved it each and every time. Thanks for the reminder. I may just have to give this a go again. Have a great week, my friend.

Diana Carol Abrahamson from Somerset West on November 30, 2020:

This cake looks so moist. Will definitely give it a try sometime. Thanks for sharing your recipe with us, Peggy.

FlourishAnyway from USA on November 30, 2020:

Oh, does this look good. I look forward to being able to make it. I'll put frosting on mine. I can almost taste this cake now.

Liz Westwood from UK on November 29, 2020:

This sounds like a great recipe. It is very well-presented and well-illustrated. The finished product looks very professional. I would never have thought of adding mayonnaise to cake ingredients.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on November 29, 2020:

Hi Linda,

I hope you enjoy going through your mother's recipes as much as I am doing. If you like moist chocolate cake, you are sure to like this recipe. Thanks for your comment.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on November 29, 2020:

Hi Edwin,

I would never have thought to use mayonnaise either until I read this recipe. It does definitely add moistness to the cake. I hope you enjoy it!

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on November 29, 2020:

Hi Rosina,

The mayonnaise takes the place of eggs and any cream or oil used in traditional recipes. Thanks for your comment.

Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on November 29, 2020:

I saw "mayonnaise" in the title and was surprised, but since you shared the recipe I knew it must be good! I love chocolate cake, especially when it's moist.

Your article has reminded me of an old recipe book of my mother's that I haven't looked at for a long time. I'm going to go through it and look at all the recipes.

Edwin Alcantara from California on November 29, 2020:

Never thought about using mayo to add moistness to a cake. I think I'll try it out. Thanks.

Rosina S Khan on November 29, 2020:

Thank you for this quick and easy cake recipe. But our family would like less mayonnaise and so I will have to incorporate less of it. Thanks for sharing, Peggy.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on November 29, 2020:

Hi Manatita,

This cake, as you can see from the photos, is really moist. I am glad you like the look back at some of my mother's old recipes. Thanks for the virtual visit.

manatita44 from london on November 29, 2020:

I love Dave's joke, but the first thing I noticed is the moistness, followed by the colour of the chocolate cake. Must be delectable! To me, they are usually dry, but not this one.

Interesting idea to look at your parents recipes. It is good to transcend yourself. You are doing my teachers philosophy of self-transcendence. Awesome!!

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on November 29, 2020:

Hi Liza,

Please let me know how you like this recipe when you make it. Mayonnaise seems like an odd ingredient, but it works! Thanks for the comment on my mother's handwriting.

Peggy Woods (author) from Houston, Texas on November 29, 2020:

Hi Pamela,

You are probably right about the origin of this old recipe dating back to the WWII era. I think you might have fun looking at your mother's recipe box. You might find some tasty recipes in it like we are doing. Thanks for the first comment!

Liza from USA on November 29, 2020:

Yes, I'm tempting to make this moist chocolate-y cake! I have never made a cake with mayonnaise on it. However, I have heard about how mayonnaise content will make the cake moist. Now I have seen yours. I will give it a try. Thanks for sharing your mother's delightful cake recipe, Peggy. By the way, love her handwriting!

Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on November 29, 2020:

I think maybe this recipe came from the WWII era when there were various shortages. I remember mayonaise being used in baking. I think cake would be delicious, Peggy. I have my mothers recipe box, so I need to take a look at it.