Paula Deen Does it Again

Have you ever watched Food Network before? If so I'm sure you've seen Paula Deen. She's a southerner that cooks just like my mom does. Her show on FN, Paula's Home Cooking is all about my personal favorite food- southern.

Ms. Deen started her cooking empire by selling sandwiches during lunch out of her kitchen to now operating The Lady and Sons restaurant in Savannah. She has published many cookbooks and can be seen daily on her cooking show. Tune in cause this lady knows her stuff and is a joy to watch in the kitchen.

I saw her make this wonderful recipe on a show a couple of months ago. It's like the traditional Gooey Butter Cake, but with a twist of chocolate and lots of sugar. I made this for a New Year's Eve party I recently had....it was a hit with everyone!

Double Chocolate Gooey Butter Cake

8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, melted, plus 8 more tablespoons (1 stick) butter, melted, plus additional butter, for greasing pan
1 (18.25-ounce) package chocolate cake mix
1 egg, plus 2 eggs
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
3 to 4 tablespoons cocoa powder 1 (16-ounce) box powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped nuts
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Lightly grease a 13 by 9-inch baking pan.

In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, 1 egg, and 1 stick melted butter, and stir until well blended. Pat mixture into prepared pan and set aside.

In a stand mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the remaining 2 eggs, and the cocoa powder. Lower the speed of the mixer, and add the powdered sugar. Continue beating until ingredients are well mixed. Slowly add the remaining 1 stick of melted butter, and the vanilla, continuing to beat the mixture until smooth. Stir in nuts with a rubber spatula. Spread filling over cake mixture in pan. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Be careful not to overcook the cake; the center should still be a little gooey when finished baking. Let cake partially cool on a wire rack before cutting into pieces.