RIP Dom Deluise

I've long been a fan of Dom Deluise, a man who was not only funny, but also a man who liked to eat. He was even the doppelganger of New Orleans chef Paul Prudhomme. 

Mr Deluise died last night at the age of 75, suffering from kidney failure and respiratory problems, among other things, no doubt in part due to his love of food.

It seems fitting to celebrate the famously-obese comedian and cookbook author by sharing one of his recipes.

Dom Deluise's Outrageous Yum-Yum Cake

2 cups flour, sifted
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups sugar
1 large egg
1/2 cup room-temperature unsalted butter
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup water
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons cocoa
12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Sift flour, baking powder and baking soda on waxed paper. Butter and flour two 9" cake pans.

In large mixing bowl, beat sugar and egg until sugar is dissolved. Add butter and mix into egg mixture. Add sour cream, water and vanilla; beat again. Add flour mixture and cocoa; beat slowly until flour is absorbed. Do not overbeat. Fold in chocolate pieces. Divide mixture in prepared pans.

Bake 35-40 minutes or until tested done. Cool cakes on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove from pans and cool completely. Frost with Chocolate Butter Icing.

Chocolate Butter Icing
6 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
3 tablespoons strong coffee
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

In a small saucepan, melt chocolate chips in the coffee over very low heat. Remove pan from heat. Beat in butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, until smooth. Set pan in bowl of ice and beat until icing is spreadable and holds its shape.