Growing up, birthdays were a pretty big deal. We may not have had a lot of money, but there were always decorations and brightly decorated gifts. And no matter the number, we were sure to share a delicious cake with family and friends. The cakes were always made from scratch, usually chocolate, and more oft than not, a complete surprise. You see, we had to wait for the big unveil to find what the cake might be—anything from roses to a three ring circus.

But sometime in my teen years, mom made the mistake of making the mocha cake of angels, now she shant to able to turn back. Balloons and gifts may come and go, but the cake must remain.

I wish I could share a piece of that cake with you, now; I will, however, share the recipe. You can make it completely from scratch, or take advantage of ready-made ingredients; you can bake a full sized cake to share with friends, or buy a cake to savor it all yourself. 

So thank you, mom–for all the cakes you baked and decorated just for me . . . and the little taste of heaven, you passed along to us all . . .

Mocha Angel Food Cake

Ingredients

• 1 10-inch angel food cake, cooled
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. instant coffee granules
• 1 1/3 cups milk
• 1 (3 3/4 oz.) package chocolate pudding mix
• 1 cup heavy cream, whipped
• 2 Heath candy bars, crushed

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, blend pudding mix, coffee, and milk. Chill.
2. Beat pudding mixture until smooth; fold in half of the whipping cream.
3. Cut cake in thirds, horizontally; place the bottom layer on a serving plate and
   spread a third of the pudding mixture. Repeat.
4. Fold remaining whipped topping into the remaining pudding mixture; spread over top
   and sides of cake. Sprinkle with crushed candy bars.
5. Chill for 2 hours before serving.

Download the pdf: Mocha Angel Food Cake recipe {maybe, if I can ever get it to work}