Today is my dad’s birthday. He would have turned 59 today, and I’m sure the day would have been filled with all sorts of jokes about how he was only one year away from being really old and over the hill. However, life happens, as it tends to do, and my dad passed away 13 years ago, a week shy of his 46th birthday, due to complications from leukemia. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about him, and miss him. This past Christmas, my grandma and I were talking about recipes, and she asked if my mom ever gave me the recipe for my dad’s favorite birthday cake. I couldn’t remember it, so my mom dug it out for me, and I decided that this year I would make his favorite cake to commemorate his birthday. My mom’s recipe card was titled simply, “Mom Norris Choc. Cake”. Let me tell you – my dad had some tremendously good taste when it came to cake, as this is not your ordinary chocolate cake. It’s a rich, moist chocolate cake with a river of cream cheese filling running through the middle, and it’s topped with a combination of chopped walnuts and sugar. It’s amazing. And I’ve decided that I’m going to make this every year on April 12th.
I asked my grandma where she got this recipe, and she said that one of the women she worked with back in the 60’s shared it with her. She made it, and my dad, who was in his early teens at the time, loved it, and so she made it for his birthday every year after that. Once my parents got married, my mom took over making it for him each and every year. I couldn’t remember the cake, and my mom said she stopped making it when my sister and I were pretty young since my dad got a “borderline cholesterol” blood result from the doctor and he had to start watching what he ate. Incidentally, that result did not stop him from sneaking Snickers bars at work. Many times we would stop by his office to visit, and my sister and I would see the wrappers in his waste basket. We relished ratting him out to my mom, of course. What little snitches we were!
Celebrating my dad’s birthday is, of course, bittersweet. There are so many things I wish I could share with him and do with him on a daily basis that I can’t, but I am grateful for each and every day that I got to spend with him. He was a jokester – I was doused with cold water more times than I can count, he continually hid rubber snakes for my mom to find (she is absurdly afraid of snakes), and he even won a Friday joke contest on a local radio station. I think he secretly loved having a tomboy daughter – he played catch with me and hit me grounders to practice fielding when I played softball. We threw footballs back and forth. He would change clothes after work and challenge me to a game of H-O-R-S-E out back. And I’m sure he loved nothing more than seeing me, his 8-year-old daughter, pour into his hockey equipment (helmet, shin guards, gloves, and all), grab my street hockey stick (pink blade and all) and declare that I would be the first girl hockey player ever. We always had tons of fun, and I never doubted how proud he was of whatever I was doing.
This cake is for him – to celebrate what an awesome dad he was and for the time I got to spend with him.
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan; set aside.
2. Make the Walnut-Sugar Topping: Combine the chopped walnuts and the sugar in a small bowl; set aside.
3. Make the Cake Batter: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together the water, vegetable oil, vinegar, and vanilla extract. Pour the wet ingredients into the flour mixture and, using a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, mix together until just combined and there are no traces of dry ingredients. Set aside.
4. Make the Cream Cheese Filling: Using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until soft and smooth, about 3 minutes. Add the sugar and continue mixing until light and fluffy, another 2 to 3 minutes. Add the eggs and the salt and beat until thoroughly combined and smooth.
4. Pour half of the cake batter into the prepared pan. Slowly pour all of the cream cheese filling over top, trying to distribute it as evenly as possible (do not try to spread it after you pour it). Pour the remaining cake batter over top of the cream cheese filling. Sprinkle the top of the cake with the walnut-sugar mixture.
5. Bake for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs attached. Let cool completely before serving.
This cake is AMAZING!! I made it as my first ever from scratch cake for my own 40th birthday and it will be my favorite from now on!! Thanks for sharing
It took my oven a full hour to bake which made me nervous but the end result was fantastic!!! I made it for my dad’s birthday and both him and my mom said it was the best dessert they have ever had. Thank you so much for sharing!
HI michelle. I’m so sorry to hear your dad passed away. You are such a strong women with an excellent taste in food! I love you recipes and hope that your new baby will grow up knowing what a great grandad he would have had. If you ever are looking for a good book to read that reminds you a bit of him try drums, girls, and dangerous pie. I really think you would love it!
Wow, Michelle! You are awesome in every way! LOVE your stories (especially this one about your Dad), your recipes, the photography, your tips and links, etc., etc.!!!! Thank you for sharing of yourself and blessing so many!!!
What a lovely post!! :) I’m making this today for my dad’s birthday,but i have a question which is the proper way to grease a pan for this cake. Can i use vegetable oil or butter.please help. Thank you :-)
Would it be okay to replace the vegetable oil in this recipe for butter? and if yes, in the same amount (3/4 cup – how many grams is that, more or less)? Many thanks! Debby
BEB – I’m so sorry to hear about you losing your dad. I can’t even imagine the pain you still must feel. I’m so happy though; you know your dad loved you and was very proud of “you.” You are so admirable for your amazing delicious recipes! I always go to you first when, I need a creative treat or dish to make. Can’t wait to make some of your Christmas baking, recipes!
I’ll admit, I’m a bit late to the party..I was searching recipes this afternoon and stumbled onto your website. After rushing to the store to purchase ingredients, I have spent the evening reading your recipes and blog. This particular post touched me as I lost my husband to brain cancer 5 years ago when our daughter was only 2. Each year we bake his favorite cake on his birthday. This has become tradition for us and has been healing and a way to make happy memories in his absence. I wanted to send my love to you and tell you I’m certain your father would be proud of the person you are. From reading the comments, it’s obvious you bring much joy to many hearts and tummies! Although my jeans may disagree after I’ve have some time to try out these recipes!! I look forward to many yummy treats thanks to you. :)
This cake looked so gorgeous that I have to tried it. What a disapointment!!! After 35 min I removed it from the oven and it was still completely raw. I left it for another 20 minutes and test, to find out that it is still very whobbely the whole middle part. I left it another 10 minutes, then let it cool in an half open oven and thought it will now be right. I left it outside to cool completeley and try to cut out a piece, what a mass. I now have it back in a 350 deg oven and will see what happened. It should be disaster, how can a cake cool down completely and then baked again. Are you sure the recipe is complete? No eggs in the cake batter? Can youy solve the problem? this is quite an expensive cake not toi get it right, What could have got wrong?
It’s all my favourites!!! walnut! chocolate! cream cheese!! But I want to make it less sinful …. Can I substitute the vegetable oil for extra virgin olive oil?
I would definitely recommend that you do not substitute olive oil for vegetable oil; they are very different and the olive oil could impart a heavy, off taste to this cake.
So I’ve been a big fan of your work for quite a while – I quickly got addicted to Snickerdoodle cupcakes. Thank you so much for sharing the recipe and the story. My dad passed at 49 due to complications from leukemia and we just passed the 10 year mark which wasn’t easy… isn’t easy. I think making his favorite cake for his birthday this year will be a beautiful way to remember him – especially since it would have been… should have been… his 60th. Thank you for the idea.
Hi Allison, I’m so sorry to hear about your dad; thank you for sharing your story. My dad would have been 60 in a few weeks as well. I’ll be thinking of you.
Just baked this cake and was concerned because it took so long to bake, 55 min. It wasn’t dry as I feared but it wasn’t sweet at all. In fact, almost no flavor. I baked it for a church dinner tomorrow and now trying to figure out what I can do to save it. Maybe I’ll drizzle some caramel topping over it. So disappointed.
Such a heartwarming story! I lost my dad a few years ago at 93 years of age. We had always celebrated our birthdays together since they were only a few days apart. He loved chocolate cake, too! I think I will make it this year – Feb 5th – to commemorate our years of shared birthdays! Happy Birthday Dad! Love you and miss you every day!
Hi Michelle, I just finished baking this cake (it looks awesome by the way), but it turned out much more moist than I had anticipated. It’s almost as if I haven’t even put it in the oven – only the sides are cooked. I know I followed the recipe very precisely, so I’m wondering what went wrong. I really want to make this cake again, so do you have any suggestions for next time?
It sounds like the cake simply didn’t finish baking. The time to bake is usually on target, but a lot of ovens can vary in temperature, so it’s important to use the visual cues as well. If a toothpick inserted into the center came out with a few moist crumbs, then the cake is done and will finish setting up as it cools. If the toothpick still has batter on it, then it needs to be baked longer.
I hope you don’t mind me commenting on your site! I haven’t baked this cake, but am planning to, substituting pecans because I’m allergic to walnuts. I would think that it would be easy to get the cream cheese layer too thick in the middle and, if you did, that could certainly add to it not baking all the way through. Whenever I bake anything that stays real moist when it is done, like fudge brownies, I always try to get as much batter as I can into the corners and edges. It always settles back into the center, to some degree, but helps avoid having it a lot thicker in the middle than anywhere else.
I also think this is a lovely tribute to your father! It reminds me of how blessed I am to still have mine around at 84.
Hi Michelle,I’m a newbie baker but I’d like to make this cake for a friend of mine. After reading some of the comments above, I hope the layers will turn out fine, (“woven” as you’d said). I really liked the recipe especially because it has such a rich history behind it. I’d like your thoughts on this: instead of the walnut-sugar topping, would it be ok if I used chocolate ganache?
Hi there, unless you use a really large round pan, it’s not going to be big enough for this batter. A 9×13-inch pan holds 14 cups, while a 10-inch round pan only holds 11 cups. You would need no less than a 14-inch round pan, and I couldn’t guarantee you if that size would work, as I haven’t tried it.
I made this yesterday to take to a friend’s house for dinner. Everyone really enjoyed it. For us, it served more than 8-10. It’s a pretty dense cake. The only hiccup for me was that I had to almost double the baking time. I was afraid the cake would be dry around the edges, but the finished cake was very moist and yummy!!! Thanks for sharing this recipe and the story about your Dad.
Hi! It looks beautiful, and i made it, but the cream cheese filling just disappeared from the middle part and came up…I was worried because when i was doing this cake the cake batter was more havy than the cream chees part and i think the top batter just pushed the cream chees filling up… could you help what could be the problem? Thank you :)
Hi Daniella, As you can see from the picture, the cream cheese layer kind of “wove” its way through my cake – in the middle in some spots, closer to the top in others. The best method I’ve found is to really slowly pour the cream cheese filling, trying to distribute it into as even a layer as possible without touching it. Then, do the same when you pour the second half of the cake batter on top of the cream cheese. Slow and even. Hopefully that helps next time around! Don’t worry if it’s not perfect, though (mine never is!) – it will surely still be delicious!
Looks like quite a cake. I usually make Birthday Pie in this house as most people don’t like cake. I would make it for me though. I will keep this recipe for December when I turn 52!
This sounded so good…. Made it and was disappointed. Got very high 1/4 inch above pan….15 extra min baking and center was still undone….and generally had no flavor :(
I’m a recent subscriber to your blog, so I missed the post when it was published. It touched my heart a little bit actually, as I can completely relate. My dad’s birthday was also April 12, and he would have been 58 this year. He also died of cancer (pancreatic) 3 years ago. I wasn’t as close with my dad as you were with yours, but he was still my dad. I think about him all the time, especially since I’ve been living in China this year, and he worked here for a bit when I was a baby. I really wanted to make a German chocolate cake for his birthday this year, since it was his favorite and I’ve never made one. I sadly didn’t get a chance to make one as I couldn’t get the ingredients (the expat store is far away =/). There’s always next year I guess. Anyways, thanks for the post. I’ll have to try this cake for sure. It looks wonderful!
Hi Brittany, My condolences to you. It’s never easy to lose someone you love. I am planning to make a German Chocolate Cake for Father’s Day this year, so keep an eye out for the recipe!
Beautiful post. My seven year old son’s birthday is April 12, as well. I love that you commemorate your dad’s birthday by making his favorite cake. I lost my mom to Lymphoma when she was only 50 and I am always at a loss for how to mark the occasion of her birthday. I think I may borrow your idea and bake her favorite cake on her birthday next February. By the way, your cake looks delicious! I must try this recipe.
Just tucking into my first piece – a lovely cake! But when I put the second half of the batter on top, it pretty much sank through. It turned out fine, but I ended up with a cream cheese layer on top rather than the middle. Is there a trick to it? My only thought is that I’m in the UK and the ingredients may be sliiiiightly different…
Hi Alex, The ingredients may have played a part; I just poured slowly and as evenly as possible. I didn’t get it to cover the entire cream cheese layer, but it was pretty close.
What a sweet (literally and figuratively) tribute to your father. My dad also battled cancer right around his 50th birthday. Fortunately, he came out healthy on the other side, so I can only imagine how much you miss your dad. He would be so proud of you!
Loved reading about your dad and the memories behind this cake. I am going to bake this today and also would like to know if it should be refrigerated? Thanks for sharing!
what a SWEET tribute to your Father. Hugs to you. My father would have loved this cake too. Chocolate, walnuts creamcheese. yup.. he would have loved it. ;)
I loved this post… so sweet and honest. Thank you for sharing your memories of your dad – he sounds like a great one! I am looking forward to trying this special cake :)
This is an awesome post. I say cheers to chocolate cake on April 12 every year. I also lost my mother when she was very young, though I can hear her joking too about ‘being old’ at 40 and can’t imagine what jokes she would be saying if she had celebrated 59. I think its beautiful and bittersweet though that you have loved ones to help you celebrate your fathers memory and re-discover wonderful recipes like this.
Just finished having my (2nd) piece today of this cake. It is delicious!!! It did take an extra 10 mins to bake tho. Just a question. Should this be refrigerated because of the cream cheese? thanks for a great recipe.
Aww, so sweet. Thank you for sharing your dad’s favorite cake recipe. ♥ I have a question though about the ingredients. I noticed that there are not any eggs in the cake batter. Is that why there is 3/4 cup vegetable oil? I was going to make it today but hesitated..
Very touching story, so many things my mom makes remind me of my dad who passed away 3 years ago at age 65. His birthday is coming up and this sounds like something he would love, I think I’ll make it and share it with my family. Thanks
the cake looks divine. I lost my dad just last month, and I know that I can look forward to thinking of him every day. his annual birthday cake was chocolate mint. I’ll be making it that day.
This cake looks and sounds so appealing! And thank you for sharing the story of your Dad. What a lovely tribute to him. I make a coffee cake that was my Dad’s favourite, and every time I make it one of the kids remembers that it was Petje’s favourite. Food is a wonderful way to share memories of someone special.
My heart goes out to you. Your dad sounds like an amazing person, and I know your loss was great. I can see why he loved this cake. Thanks for sharing with us.
Thank you for sharing such a precious memory and a delicious cake. I love everything you do. My family gets so much pleasure at dinner time because of you. I hope you realize that you make a huge difference to me!
Sorry to hear that you lost your dad when he still had a lot of life to live. I love the idea of making his favorite cake on his birthday every year. What a perfect way to celebrate his life! Today is my birthday too- going to have to try this cake :)
I love that you still make it a point to celebrate your Dad’s birthday! I’m sure he would be very happy that you honor him still! What an amazing cake too! I can see why it was his favorite!
Tomorrow is my Birthday and I wasn’t going to have a cake, but I am going to bake this tonight when I get home from work, it sounds wonderful. Happy Birthday to your dad.
Love this post. Right there with you in missing my dad every day and realizing as much as I hated losing him when I did, it is such a blessing that we had such a great relationship that I do miss him every day. Not every one can say that. What a great way for you to remember his memory.
What a wonderful cake and a loving tribute to your late father. I’m sure he’s looking down on you with great admiration and affection for preserving his memory in your baking. Thank you for sharing.
I can see why this was your dad’s favorite cake. I think it is wonderful that you celebrate him each year on his birthday with one of his favorite treats. Baking can be very healing and therapeutic.
I also lost my father when I was young so I can relate. Your dad’s favorite birthday cake looks delicious, though. It’s easy to see why he loved it. Nice post.
What a heartfelt story! And the cake sounds like it could easily be a winner at my home…I look forward to making it and sharing your story with my husband. Thanks for sharing :)
Michelle, Your story made me cry. It was so moving to read about your dad. I’m sorry he’s not still around for you. I will treasure my dad even more after reading that. Thanks for sharing this story.
Thank you for sharing the memory of your Dad and his favorite cake. I printed it and will treat my family and myself to it soon. My Dad will be 71 this year. He is fine. I have seen him only three times in 21 years. (finaces haven’t allowed me to travel there and he doesn’t fly)
Oh My Goodness…my Daddy’s b’ day is a few days away…I miss him so much. I am a gardener…and he loved this about me…and I loved his love of nature. he also had a sweet tooth…loved all good food celebrated in our wonderful Italian kitchen. you are so sweet to post this heartfelt tribute to your Dad…who left behind a beautiful daughter, who fills our hearts and tummies. god Be with you and your family.
Your dad was a wonderful man. I know my dad misses him a ton too, he was such a special friend. What a sweet way to keep the memories alive each year. No doubt he would be very proud of you today. All the best!
Thanks, Cassie! They were definitely special friends, and your dad remains such a blessing to my mom. He helps her so much. I hope you’re doing well! A belated congratulations on your wedding!
Thanks so much for sharing this. I think celebrating the lives of those we have lost is a huge part of living life.
I have several recipes that are tied directly to people who were loved and lost by “friends” I have never met. This will go into that collection and your dad will be remembered by my family as well. ♥
This looks amazing, and I plan on making it this weekend. :-) Thank you so much for sharing the recipe and your memories. No matter the time, the loss never gets easier but I’m sure he is very proud of his daughter. All the best to you!
I’m sorry Michele. I lost my mom 13 years ago too so I know how you feel. I’m sure your dad is smiling down on you. Your cake recipe is so unique – love it! Anything with cream cheese in it is a friend of mine – lol…
This was a beautiful post and thank you for sharing such lovely memories of your Dad with us. How very sweet that his favourite cake is going to be made by his daughter every year to commemorate his birthday. It does look delicious.
What a wonderful way to remember your dad and do something special for his birthday. :-) He most definitely had good taste in cake, because this one looks amazing!
That is a serious looking cake – seriously yummy, that is! Mind if I borrow it for Saturday? It’s my mom birthday and she’s a major chocolate, and walnut, fan.
Michelle, You have me crying over my breakfast! This is so sweet and the cake looks delicious, too. I agree….make this cake every year in honor of him. Thanks for sharing.
Looks wonderful! I love when you can tell that a recipe has been passed down, because a lot of recipes that were around during times of war have no eggs in the cake (due to rationing). Anyways, this looks so yummy and I’ll be craving it until I can have a bite myself!
my dad always get me to make a buttermilk pound cake with vanilla buttercream frosting for his birthday. i use the buttermilk pound cake recipe from allrecipes. it is so moist. my dad likes it so much that every time someone else has a birthday that he knows he gets me to make it for them, lol. there is nothing like making your father happy when you are a daddy’s girl.
Well…….this morning, this post made me happy (for a delicious chocolate cake recipe), sad (for the loss of your Father), happy (for the wonderful relationship you had with your Dad). I will make this cake and it will make me think of you and your Dad…….. they will be happy thoughts. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for the recipe and thank you for sharing the beautiful memories of your dad…I thought it was such a beautiful way to remember someone dear to you in a happy way…I will do the same starting this year on May 7th, which would have been my dad’s 80th birthday…
What a wonderful tribute to your father. He certainly sounds like a perfect example of what a father should be. I just love how food, and the memory of specific recipes shared by loved ones elicits such vivid memories and brings us together. Thank You.
I like to think we are still with the ones who have crossed over, just in such a different way. I talk to my parents ALL the time :) His birthday cake looks wonderful!
Thank you for sharing this special recipe. Even though, your Dad does not age anymore … Happy Birthday to him, it is after all his birth date that’s being celebrated.
Miss my dad too..funny caring honest loving father who has a really sweet tooth. We don’t commemorate his B’dae after he’s gone..its just too painful & sad for all of us till now.
Hi i baked this cake but the top part is not like a cake rather hard n rubbery. Is that normal?
Hi Aadila, No, it should definitely just be the consistency of cake!
This cake is AMAZING!! I made it as my first ever from scratch cake for my own 40th birthday and it will be my favorite from now on!! Thanks for sharing
It took my oven a full hour to bake which made me nervous but the end result was fantastic!!! I made it for my dad’s birthday and both him and my mom said it was the best dessert they have ever had. Thank you so much for sharing!
HI michelle. I’m so sorry to hear your dad passed away. You are such a strong women with an excellent taste in food! I love you recipes and hope that your new baby will grow up knowing what a great grandad he would have had. If you ever are looking for a good book to read that reminds you a bit of him try drums, girls, and dangerous pie. I really think you would love it!
Wow, Michelle! You are awesome in every way! LOVE your stories (especially this one about your Dad), your recipes, the photography, your tips and links, etc., etc.!!!! Thank you for sharing of yourself and blessing so many!!!
What a lovely post!! :) I’m making this today for my dad’s birthday,but i have a question which is the proper way to grease a pan for this cake. Can i use vegetable oil or butter.please help. Thank you :-)
Hi Claudia, You should use butter or solid vegetable shortening, not oil. Enjoy!
Would it be okay to replace the vegetable oil in this recipe for butter? and if yes, in the same amount (3/4 cup – how many grams is that, more or less)? Many thanks! Debby
Hi Debby, I would not recommend substituting melted butter for the vegetable oil, as it will affect the texture of the cake.
BEB – I’m so sorry to hear about you losing your dad. I can’t even imagine the pain you still must feel. I’m so happy though; you know your dad loved you and was very proud of “you.” You are so admirable for your amazing delicious recipes! I always go to you first when, I need a creative treat or dish to make. Can’t wait to make some of your Christmas baking, recipes!
I’ll admit, I’m a bit late to the party..I was searching recipes this afternoon and stumbled onto your website. After rushing to the store to purchase ingredients, I have spent the evening reading your recipes and blog. This particular post touched me as I lost my husband to brain cancer 5 years ago when our daughter was only 2. Each year we bake his favorite cake on his birthday. This has become tradition for us and has been healing and a way to make happy memories in his absence. I wanted to send my love to you and tell you I’m certain your father would be proud of the person you are. From reading the comments, it’s obvious you bring much joy to many hearts and tummies! Although my jeans may disagree after I’ve have some time to try out these recipes!! I look forward to many yummy treats thanks to you. :)
This cake looked so gorgeous that I have to tried it. What a disapointment!!! After 35 min I removed it from the oven and it was still completely raw. I left it for another 20 minutes and test, to find out that it is still very whobbely the whole middle part. I left it another 10 minutes, then let it cool in an half open oven and thought it will now be right. I left it outside to cool completeley and try to cut out a piece, what a mass. I now have it back in a 350 deg oven and will see what happened. It should be disaster, how can a cake cool down completely and then baked again. Are you sure the recipe is complete? No eggs in the cake batter? Can youy solve the problem? this is quite an expensive cake not toi get it right, What could have got wrong?
It’s 2013 April 12th today! I’m also going to be baking this today =))
It’s all my favourites!!! walnut! chocolate! cream cheese!! But I want to make it less sinful …. Can I substitute the vegetable oil for extra virgin olive oil?
I would definitely recommend that you do not substitute olive oil for vegetable oil; they are very different and the olive oil could impart a heavy, off taste to this cake.
So I’ve been a big fan of your work for quite a while – I quickly got addicted to Snickerdoodle cupcakes. Thank you so much for sharing the recipe and the story. My dad passed at 49 due to complications from leukemia and we just passed the 10 year mark which wasn’t easy… isn’t easy. I think making his favorite cake for his birthday this year will be a beautiful way to remember him – especially since it would have been… should have been… his 60th. Thank you for the idea.
Hi Allison, I’m so sorry to hear about your dad; thank you for sharing your story. My dad would have been 60 in a few weeks as well. I’ll be thinking of you.
Just baked this cake and was concerned because it took so long to bake, 55 min. It wasn’t dry as I feared but it wasn’t sweet at all. In fact, almost no flavor. I baked it for a church dinner tomorrow and now trying to figure out what I can do to save it. Maybe I’ll drizzle some caramel topping over it. So disappointed.
Such a heartwarming story! I lost my dad a few years ago at 93 years of age. We had always celebrated our birthdays together since they were only a few days apart. He loved chocolate cake, too! I think I will make it this year – Feb 5th – to commemorate our years of shared birthdays! Happy Birthday Dad! Love you and miss you every day!
Hi Michelle, I just finished baking this cake (it looks awesome by the way), but it turned out much more moist than I had anticipated. It’s almost as if I haven’t even put it in the oven – only the sides are cooked. I know I followed the recipe very precisely, so I’m wondering what went wrong. I really want to make this cake again, so do you have any suggestions for next time?
It sounds like the cake simply didn’t finish baking. The time to bake is usually on target, but a lot of ovens can vary in temperature, so it’s important to use the visual cues as well. If a toothpick inserted into the center came out with a few moist crumbs, then the cake is done and will finish setting up as it cools. If the toothpick still has batter on it, then it needs to be baked longer.
I hope you don’t mind me commenting on your site! I haven’t baked this cake, but am planning to, substituting pecans because I’m allergic to walnuts. I would think that it would be easy to get the cream cheese layer too thick in the middle and, if you did, that could certainly add to it not baking all the way through. Whenever I bake anything that stays real moist when it is done, like fudge brownies, I always try to get as much batter as I can into the corners and edges. It always settles back into the center, to some degree, but helps avoid having it a lot thicker in the middle than anywhere else.
I also think this is a lovely tribute to your father! It reminds me of how blessed I am to still have mine around at 84.
I just made this! It’s so moist and delicious I just can’t get enough of it.
Hi Michelle,I’m a newbie baker but I’d like to make this cake for a friend of mine. After reading some of the comments above, I hope the layers will turn out fine, (“woven” as you’d said). I really liked the recipe especially because it has such a rich history behind it. I’d like your thoughts on this: instead of the walnut-sugar topping, would it be ok if I used chocolate ganache?
Hi Blessy, I think a chocolate ganache would be great! Let me know how you like it!
Hi, i LOVE your recipes and website!
I wanted to make this for my sister because it’s her birthday tomorrow, but i wanted to do it in a round tin. What size tin do you think i should use?
thanks!
Hi there, unless you use a really large round pan, it’s not going to be big enough for this batter. A 9×13-inch pan holds 14 cups, while a 10-inch round pan only holds 11 cups. You would need no less than a 14-inch round pan, and I couldn’t guarantee you if that size would work, as I haven’t tried it.
Wow, this looks amazing! :D
I made this yesterday to take to a friend’s house for dinner. Everyone really enjoyed it. For us, it served more than 8-10. It’s a pretty dense cake. The only hiccup for me was that I had to almost double the baking time. I was afraid the cake would be dry around the edges, but the finished cake was very moist and yummy!!! Thanks for sharing this recipe and the story about your Dad.
I am going to make this for my Dads Birthday this week. Thank you. x
Hi!
It looks beautiful, and i made it, but the cream cheese filling just disappeared from the middle part and came up…I was worried because when i was doing this cake the cake batter was more havy than the cream chees part and i think the top batter just pushed the cream chees filling up… could you help what could be the problem?
Thank you :)
Hi Daniella, As you can see from the picture, the cream cheese layer kind of “wove” its way through my cake – in the middle in some spots, closer to the top in others. The best method I’ve found is to really slowly pour the cream cheese filling, trying to distribute it into as even a layer as possible without touching it. Then, do the same when you pour the second half of the cake batter on top of the cream cheese. Slow and even. Hopefully that helps next time around! Don’t worry if it’s not perfect, though (mine never is!) – it will surely still be delicious!
Looks like quite a cake. I usually make Birthday Pie in this house as most people don’t like cake. I would make it for me though. I will keep this recipe for December when I turn 52!
This sounded so good…. Made it and was disappointed. Got very high 1/4 inch above pan….15 extra min baking and center was still undone….and generally had no flavor :(
Oh yeah..and I found this recipe through your link on the Mississippi Mud Cake..I grew up in Mississippi..trippy :)
I’m a recent subscriber to your blog, so I missed the post when it was published. It touched my heart a little bit actually, as I can completely relate. My dad’s birthday was also April 12, and he would have been 58 this year. He also died of cancer (pancreatic) 3 years ago. I wasn’t as close with my dad as you were with yours, but he was still my dad. I think about him all the time, especially since I’ve been living in China this year, and he worked here for a bit when I was a baby. I really wanted to make a German chocolate cake for his birthday this year, since it was his favorite and I’ve never made one. I sadly didn’t get a chance to make one as I couldn’t get the ingredients (the expat store is far away =/). There’s always next year I guess. Anyways, thanks for the post. I’ll have to try this cake for sure. It looks wonderful!
Hi Brittany, My condolences to you. It’s never easy to lose someone you love. I am planning to make a German Chocolate Cake for Father’s Day this year, so keep an eye out for the recipe!
Beautiful post. My seven year old son’s birthday is April 12, as well. I love that you commemorate your dad’s birthday by making his favorite cake. I lost my mom to Lymphoma when she was only 50 and I am always at a loss for how to mark the occasion of her birthday. I think I may borrow your idea and bake her favorite cake on her birthday next February. By the way, your cake looks delicious! I must try this recipe.
Just tucking into my first piece – a lovely cake! But when I put the second half of the batter on top, it pretty much sank through. It turned out fine, but I ended up with a cream cheese layer on top rather than the middle. Is there a trick to it? My only thought is that I’m in the UK and the ingredients may be sliiiiightly different…
I had the same issue and I’m in the States.
Hi Alex, The ingredients may have played a part; I just poured slowly and as evenly as possible. I didn’t get it to cover the entire cream cheese layer, but it was pretty close.
What a sweet (literally and figuratively) tribute to your father. My dad also battled cancer right around his 50th birthday. Fortunately, he came out healthy on the other side, so I can only imagine how much you miss your dad. He would be so proud of you!
Just saw that it should be refrigerated, thanks!
I would like to try this recipe! Does it need to be refrigerated after you make it due to the cream cheese?
I`ve tried this recipe and i`m really impressed, it has a very good taste. My both child tried it and they like it a lot. Thanks a lot for sharing.
I made this last night to take to work for a coworker’s birthday. Everybody loved it! Thanks for the great recipe and wonderful story of it’s history
(Choking up)…I miss my Dad too and this makes me want to make my Dad’s favorite apple cake. What a nice way to remember him.
It’s a lovely way to remember your Dad and I look forward to trying the recipe. Great post!
Loved reading about your dad and the memories behind this cake. I am going to bake this today and also would like to know if it should be refrigerated?
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Adrianne, Yes, I would refrigerate it if you have leftovers, just make sure it is covered tightly in the refrigerator.
what a SWEET tribute to your Father. Hugs to you. My father would have loved this cake too. Chocolate, walnuts creamcheese. yup.. he would have loved it. ;)
I loved this post… so sweet and honest. Thank you for sharing your memories of your dad – he sounds like a great one! I am looking forward to trying this special cake :)
This is an awesome post. I say cheers to chocolate cake on April 12 every year. I also lost my mother when she was very young, though I can hear her joking too about ‘being old’ at 40 and can’t imagine what jokes she would be saying if she had celebrated 59. I think its beautiful and bittersweet though that you have loved ones to help you celebrate your fathers memory and re-discover wonderful recipes like this.
Just finished having my (2nd) piece today of this cake. It is delicious!!! It did take an extra 10 mins to bake tho. Just a question. Should this be refrigerated because of the cream cheese? thanks for a great recipe.
Hi Barbara, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! It should be refrigerated, just make sure it’s covered tightly so it doesn’t pick up any refrigerator odors.
Aww, so sweet. Thank you for sharing your dad’s favorite cake recipe. ♥ I have a question though about the ingredients. I noticed that there are not any eggs in the cake batter. Is that why there is 3/4 cup vegetable oil? I was going to make it today but hesitated..
Correct – the vegetable oil and the water are what keep the cake moist.
What a lovely post! I’m not usually a cake person, but I’m going to make this cake in honor of your dad. :)
Very touching story, so many things my mom makes remind me of my dad who passed away 3 years ago at age 65. His birthday is coming up and this sounds like something he would love, I think I’ll make it and share it with my family. Thanks
Wow, I can totally see how this could be anyones favorite cake. It looks amazing!
the cake looks divine. I lost my dad just last month, and I know that I can look forward to thinking of him every day. his annual birthday cake was chocolate mint. I’ll be making it that day.
I am so sorry for your loss. Big hugs to you and your family.
What a tribute to your father. I showed my hubby the picture and he can’t wait for me to make it! Thanks!
This looks so delicious! What a great recipe! Xx
This cake looks and sounds so appealing! And thank you for sharing the story of your Dad. What a lovely tribute to him. I make a coffee cake that was my Dad’s favourite, and every time I make it one of the kids remembers that it was Petje’s favourite. Food is a wonderful way to share memories of someone special.
Beautiful, Michelle. What a way to celebrate a genuinely wonderful person. Brought tears to my eyes…
Happy birthday, Dave. You are truly missed.
My mom died when she was 48 so I know so well how bittersweet this day must be. What a loving tribute to your Dad…and an equally lovely cake.
Looks like he certainly did have good taste. Glad you found the recipe.
Great post. Happy Birthday to your Dad.
My heart goes out to you. Your dad sounds like an amazing person, and I know your loss was great. I can see why he loved this cake. Thanks for sharing with us.
I will make this cake soon & celebrate your Dad’s life as you did today. Hugs from Kansas!
Thank you for sharing such a precious memory and a delicious cake. I love everything you do. My family gets so much pleasure at dinner time because of you. I hope you realize that you make a huge difference to me!
Aw, thank you so much for the kind words, Candace!
Sorry to hear that you lost your dad when he still had a lot of life to live. I love the idea of making his favorite cake on his birthday every year. What a perfect way to celebrate his life! Today is my birthday too- going to have to try this cake :)
Happy Birthday, Christina! I hope you had a fabulous birthday!
What a beautiful tribute! xoxo
This cake looks decadently good!
I can see why this was a favorite of your dad’s. This is a beautiful (and delicious) way to honor his birthday :)
I love that you still make it a point to celebrate your Dad’s birthday! I’m sure he would be very happy that you honor him still! What an amazing cake too! I can see why it was his favorite!
Tomorrow is my Birthday and I wasn’t going to have a cake, but I am going to bake this tonight when I get home from work, it sounds wonderful.
Happy Birthday to your dad.
What a great post and what a special recipe. This cake looks delicious and so do your pictures of it.
Love this post. Right there with you in missing my dad every day and realizing as much as I hated losing him when I did, it is such a blessing that we had such a great relationship that I do miss him every day. Not every one can say that. What a great way for you to remember his memory.
What a wonderful cake and a loving tribute to your late father. I’m sure he’s looking down on you with great admiration and affection for preserving his memory in your baking. Thank you for sharing.
I can see why this was your dad’s favorite cake. I think it is wonderful that you celebrate him each year on his birthday with one of his favorite treats. Baking can be very healing and therapeutic.
I also lost my father when I was young so I can relate. Your dad’s favorite birthday cake looks delicious, though. It’s easy to see why he loved it. Nice post.
What a heartfelt story! And the cake sounds like it could easily be a winner at my home…I look forward to making it and sharing your story with my husband. Thanks for sharing :)
Michelle, Your story made me cry. It was so moving to read about your dad. I’m sorry he’s not still around for you. I will treasure my dad even more after reading that. Thanks for sharing this story.
Thank you for sharing the memory of your Dad and his favorite cake. I printed it and will treat my family and myself to it soon. My Dad will be 71 this year. He is fine. I have seen him only three times in 21 years. (finaces haven’t allowed me to travel there and he doesn’t fly)
Oh My Goodness…my Daddy’s b’ day is a few days away…I miss him so much. I am a gardener…and he loved this about me…and I loved his love of nature.
he also had a sweet tooth…loved all good food celebrated in our wonderful Italian kitchen. you are so sweet to post this heartfelt tribute to your Dad…who left behind a beautiful daughter, who fills our hearts and tummies.
god Be with you and your family.
Your dad was a wonderful man. I know my dad misses him a ton too, he was such a special friend. What a sweet way to keep the memories alive each year. No doubt he would be very proud of you today. All the best!
Thanks, Cassie! They were definitely special friends, and your dad remains such a blessing to my mom. He helps her so much. I hope you’re doing well! A belated congratulations on your wedding!
Thanks for sharing this story-I’m all choked up here at work. looks like a delicious cake too!!
I bake so many things since I love trying new recipes but it’s so nice having a favorite so that traditions could be made and treasured!
Thanks so much for sharing this. I think celebrating the lives of those we have lost is a huge part of living life.
I have several recipes that are tied directly to people who were loved and lost by “friends” I have never met. This will go into that collection and your dad will be remembered by my family as well. ♥
This looks amazing, and I plan on making it this weekend. :-) Thank you so much for sharing the recipe and your memories. No matter the time, the loss never gets easier but I’m sure he is very proud of his daughter. All the best to you!
I’m sorry Michele. I lost my mom 13 years ago too so I know how you feel. I’m sure your dad is smiling down on you. Your cake recipe is so unique – love it! Anything with cream cheese in it is a friend of mine – lol…
Oh, I’m so sad, what a wonderful story and a wonderful cake. Your Dad would be so very proud of you.
Happy Birthday, Dad! What a wonderful way to spend time with him. They are always with us – in our hearts and minds.
What a sweet story and a good way to remember your Dad. The cake looks amazing and one I will surely try.
This was a beautiful post and thank you for sharing such lovely memories of your Dad with us. How very sweet that his favourite cake is going to be made by his daughter every year to commemorate his birthday. It does look delicious.
This cake looks absolutely divine! I’m sure dad would have loved this. Thanks for the recipe.
It’s amazing how food brings up such strong memories. It looks delicious and I’m sorry that your father was taken so early.
What a great way to remember your dad’s birthday. The cake is stunning! You are in my thoughts today, Michelle.
What a wonderful way to remember your dad and do something special for his birthday. :-) He most definitely had good taste in cake, because this one looks amazing!
What a sweet way to remember your dad! Your cake looks delicious!
That is a serious looking cake – seriously yummy, that is! Mind if I borrow it for Saturday? It’s my mom birthday and she’s a major chocolate, and walnut, fan.
Absolutely! I hope your mom loves it as much as my dad did!
Michelle,
You have me crying over my breakfast! This is so sweet and the cake looks delicious, too. I agree….make this cake every year in honor of him. Thanks for sharing.
I’m glad you have great memories! My thoughts are with you today! <3
What a beautiful post.
What a nice post! :)
What a lovely post. I truly can’t wait to make this cake! Happy Birthday to your Dad! What a great way to remember him.
Looks wonderful! I love when you can tell that a recipe has been passed down, because a lot of recipes that were around during times of war have no eggs in the cake (due to rationing). Anyways, this looks so yummy and I’ll be craving it until I can have a bite myself!
my dad always get me to make a buttermilk pound cake with vanilla buttercream frosting for his birthday. i use the buttermilk pound cake recipe from allrecipes. it is so moist. my dad likes it so much that every time someone else has a birthday that he knows he gets me to make it for them, lol. there is nothing like making your father happy when you are a daddy’s girl.
Well…….this morning, this post made me happy (for a delicious chocolate cake recipe), sad (for the loss of your Father), happy (for the wonderful relationship you had with your Dad). I will make this cake and it will make me think of you and your Dad…….. they will be happy thoughts. Thank you for sharing.
Beautiful post — your Dad would be proud! :)
This is such a special post, and a great way to remember your dad. I can see why he loved it so much – it sounds fabulous!
What a great way to honor your dad’s memory and celebrate his life!
Thank you for the recipe and thank you for sharing the beautiful memories of your dad…I thought it was such a beautiful way to remember someone dear to you in a happy way…I will do the same starting this year on May 7th, which would have been my dad’s 80th birthday…
What a wonderful tribute to your father. He certainly sounds like a perfect example of what a father should be. I just love how food, and the memory of specific recipes shared by loved ones elicits such vivid memories and brings us together. Thank You.
I like to think we are still with the ones who have crossed over, just in such a different way. I talk to my parents ALL the time :)
His birthday cake looks wonderful!
Thank you for sharing this special recipe. Even though, your Dad does not age anymore … Happy Birthday to him, it is after all his birth date that’s being celebrated.
This must be a wonderful cake from a wonderful daughter!
I am sorry for the loss of your dad. He sounds like a great guy!
I think this cake definitely is drool-worthy! thank you for sharing!
Mmmm, I an see why your dad would love this – sounds to die for!
Thank you for sharing…..huge hugs for you today.
What a great cake, and the story behind it is even better :)
The cake looks delicious. Love the story about your dad. What a a great way to remember him!
It sounds like a wonderful tradition, baking this gorgeous cake every year.
Miss my dad too..funny caring honest loving father who has a really sweet tooth. We don’t commemorate his B’dae after he’s gone..its just too painful & sad for all of us till now.
That looks like a fabulous cake and what a lovely cheerful way to remember your dad
You are such an amazing woman. Even though your dad and dear grandparents are up in heaven, you still stay strong. I love your recipes! Keep it up!
What a lovely post! I’m sure it doesn’t make the pain of losing a parent any easier, but at least you two shared some wonderful memories together.
This is just so sweet. I’m sure your dad would be so proud of this. What a delicious looking cake!
This looks good hun. I am in love with all you do. Not being a stalker or anything. lol