Mud Cake And Possum!

We have an odd sense of humor in my family. Perhaps it’s not odd, really, so much as it is constant. We are forever looking to laugh in any given situation. I blame it entirely on my mother, who made sure each day growing up was filled with as much laughter as possible.

My brother is no different. What began as a joke has now turned into a full fledged slogan for his restaurant, Hickory Barn BBQ in Athens. A few months back, he put “Possum and Crackers” on his sign out front just to see what his wife would say. This sign caused quite a stir as folks began stopping just to have their picture made next to it.

Requests for the dish began pouring in and disappointment at finding it was a joke surprised us all. Bill quickly added possum and crackers and possum and cheese sandwiches to the menu (don’t worry, its really just bologna) and delighted his customers by placing the slogan “I ate the possum” on his T Shirts as well.

Aside from the possum, all other cuisine at the restaurant is as authentic as it comes – From the chicken and ribs he won Grand Champion for at the Jack Daniel’s cook off to the homemade cakes served for dessert. The cake varies by week but the recipe always comes directly from our family cookbook, often ones which have been featured on SouthernPlate.com. Elvis Presley cake is a longtime favorite as is my grandmother’s Peanut Butter cake along with many others. This weekend, they’ll be serving up my Mama’s Mississippi Mud cake. In case you can’t make it out for a slice actually made by Mama, here’s the recipe.

This is a longer ingredient list than what you’re used to from me but its worth it so just sit back and take notes, you’re gonna have some happy campers in just a bit!

Stir together salt,baking soda, and flour. The recipe says to sift this together. Well folks, I’m a stirrer, not a sifter. Makes things a bit easier and I don’t have to dig in my cabinets to find the thing.

T’ain’t nobody complained yet!

Bring margarine, oil,cocoa, and one cup water to a boil in a sauce pot, stirring constantly.

Remove pot from eye and turn off heat as soon as it comes to a boil.

Place flour mixture in mixing bowl and pour hot mixture over it.

Add buttermilk…
Now honestly, have you ever once had a recipe that called for buttermilk that wasn’t good? I sure haven’t!
To a Southerner, adding buttermilk to something is about like tossing in golden nuggets!

Beat your eggs in a separate cup.

Add eggs and water called for in recipe and immediately turn your mixer on so the eggs don’t have time to
cook in the hot mixture.

It will look like this when its done. You really need to take a lick on accounta’ you’d hate to
feed your family and friends something you don’t know for a fact tastes good in the batter bowl :).

Grease a 9×13 inch pan. You can use shortening for this but I just use nonstick cooking spray.

Pour into a greased and floured 9X13 pan and bake at 375 for 25 to 30 minutes.
Nah, I didn’t grease my pan either…seriously guys, this isn’t that complicated ~winks~

Now lets make our icing!

Try to time your icing so it is ready as soon as your hot cake comes out of the oven for best results.

Place margarine, cocoa,and milk in a saucepan.

Stir constantly and bring to a boil.

Once boiling, remove from heat. Add confectioner’s sugar and vanilla, mix well.

Done!

Cover hot cake with marshmallows. Kids love to do this part!

Drizzle hot icing over the top and you’re done!

You’ll need:

Mama’s Mississippi Mud Cake

• 2 cups plain flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 t. salt
• 1 t. baking soda
• 1 stick margarine
• 1/2 cup oil
• 4 T. cocoa
• 1 cup plus 1 t. cold water, divided
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 10oz. bag mini marshmallows

Sift flour, sugar, salt, and soda together. Bring margarine, oil, cocoa, and one cup water to a boil. Add to flour mixture. Add eggs, one teaspoon cold water, and buttermilk. Mix well. Pour into a greased and floured 9X13 pan and bake at 375 for 25 to 30 minutes. Top with marshmallows while warm. Pour icing over top.

Icing

• 1 stick margarine
• 3 T. cocoa
• 6 T. milk
• 1 16 oz. box confectioner’s sugar
• 1 t. vanilla

Combine margarine, cocoa, and milk. Bring to a boil. Add sugar and mix well. Add vanilla. Pour over hot cake as soon as it come out of oven. Note: Chopped nuts are great added to cake.

Attitudes are contagious. Is yours worth catching? ~Southern Plate Reader, Granny K.

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