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Grandma’s Chocolate Glaze for Yellow Cake

Last week we lost a very dear member of our family, Ryan’s Grandma Dolores passed away. While she had been sick for a while, it doesn’t make it any easier dealing with the loss. We will all miss her smile. We will all miss her hugs. We will all miss her kindness and warmth. And personally, I will miss the way she loved me as if I was her grandchild. As we approach the funeral, I am remembering not the sadness that I feel right now at losing her but the happiness I feel when I remember all of the wonderful things, including this yellow cake with chocolate glaze.

When Ryan and I lived back home Grandma’s house would be the place we would go for family meals. She would always prepare the biggest meals. I’m not even talking about Thanksgiving or Christmas. I’m talking regular ol’ Sunday family meals. She’d make a couple different kinds of entrees, more sides then you could even imagine and always at least two desserts. And always this yellow cake with chocolate frosting.

It was my favorite. It was fluffy and chocolatey. But the best thing about it was that Grandma knew it was my favorite and I could tell that she made it with love each and every time that she made it. One time while I was savoring the last bite of the cakey goodness, I said “This is so good. Can I have the recipe?” She laughed a little and said “Well its just a box cake with some chocolate sauce over the top.” I guess it made sense that it was a boxed cake since she prepared meatloaf, crispy fried shrimp, salad with homemade creamy pesto dressing, asparagus, pasta salad, rolls, fruit salad and an apple pie all for the same meal. But alas, the chocolate sauce was homemade so that is the recipe that I share with you today.

One bite of this cake and I know that while she might not be here to hug, her spirit, her love, her kindness and her memory will always be with us. Goodbye Grandma. We love you.

Grace Dolores Skadsen

slice of yellow cake with chocolate glaze on blue plate with fork.

Grandma's Chocolate Glaze for Yellow Cake

Remembering a loved one lost with this chocolate glaze perfect for just about any cake.
4.5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 5 mins
Total Time 10 mins
Course Desserts
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

Ingredients:

  • 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
  • 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons hot water
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla

Instructions
 

  • Melt chocolate and butter together over low heat. Once melted whisk in powdered sugar, mix well. Stir in water 1 tablespoon at a time. Whisk in vanilla
  • Drizzle over cake.
  • Allow to set until chocolate hardens.
  • Slice and serve with plenty of milk and hugs.

Notes

Enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Mention @lifesambrosia or tag #lifesambrosia!
Keywords: cake, cake mix, chocolate frosting, dessert, dolores skadsen, grandma, sweet, treet

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




  • Reply
    Jacque Johnson
    June 27, 2020 at 12:47 pm

    5 stars
    My gramma used to make a yellow “butter” cake from a box with a chocolate sauce on the bottom! It was kinda like an upside down cake, and had to be kept in the fridge.
    I’ve looked and looked- no one has her recipe! I’m pretty sure she didn’t use one. I’m gonna try this sauce for my cake!

  • Reply
    Tanya McLeod
    May 5, 2019 at 12:49 am

    H i. Can you use the cocoa powder.

    • Reply
      Deseree
      May 5, 2019 at 12:10 pm

      Hi Tanya, I have not tried this with cocoa powder so I can’t recommend it. Sorry!

  • Reply
    bea
    March 2, 2019 at 4:12 pm

    4 stars
    I followed this simple recipe but it didn’t go to well for me until I added more water and a little more choc.& butter to get it thin enough so it would drip on the cake and look glasey, then it was perfect !

  • Reply
    Patricia Miera
    April 20, 2016 at 7:31 pm

    I made a homemade chocolate cake & made Grandma’s chocolate glaze. It made my cake so delicious. Thanks for sharing it. It was easy to make. My family loved it. When I make this glaze from now , I will always think of Grandma.

    • Reply
      Patricia Miera
      April 20, 2016 at 7:34 pm

      And sorry for your loss. R. I. P. Grandma.

      • Reply
        Des @ Life's Ambrosia
        April 21, 2016 at 7:23 pm

        Thank you. I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed grandma’s chocolate glaze! :)

  • Reply
    Careen Stedman Henry
    October 3, 2015 at 4:56 pm

    This is the absolute best – thank you so much for sharing.

  • Reply
    Melissa
    June 16, 2013 at 7:41 am

    Thank you for sharing! This is delicious! Grandma’s always know what they are doing in the kitchen :). so sorry for your loss…

  • Reply
    Cheryl
    October 10, 2010 at 3:00 pm

    Des,
    I made a yellow cake today for Thanksgiving here in Canada. I decided to try Ryan’s Grandma’s Chocolate Glaze for my cake. Lets just say that I came home from my mom’s with an empty cake container! :D Everyone raved about it and had seconds! Thanks for sharing such a special recipe! It will be staying in our family for years to come :)

    Cheryl

  • Reply
    NS
    September 6, 2010 at 9:25 pm

    I am so sorry for your loss.
    Regards,
    N

  • Reply
    Maria @ Scandifoodie
    August 23, 2010 at 11:58 pm

    This is excellent! I am often trying to find a better recipe for chocolate glaze, but I have a feeling I won’t have to be looking for it anymore! Thanks for sharing!

  • Reply
    Memoria
    August 15, 2010 at 6:59 pm

    I am deeply sorry for your loss. I know that mere words from a virtual stranger cannot remove the pain, but I do feel sorry. I hope that you and your family will stay strong and make it through this hard time. Whenever I try out this recipe, and I will, I will think of her always.

  • Reply
    Deseree
    August 13, 2010 at 7:01 am

    Thank you everyone for your nice comments. Your thoughts and prayers mean so much to us.

  • Reply
    Jenn's Food Journey
    August 12, 2010 at 5:13 am

    I’m so sorry for yours and Ryan’s loss…but what a great tribute to his Grandma. Thank you so much for sharing this with us!

  • Reply
    Vera
    August 12, 2010 at 2:55 am

    She lives on in each of you, and I think that sharing her chocolate frosting that you so enjoyed during your lunches and dinners is a wonderful way of remembering her and paying her tribute.

  • Reply
    Lynnell
    August 11, 2010 at 6:52 pm

    I’m so sorry for you loss, our hearts and thoughts are with you!

  • Reply
    Katrina
    August 11, 2010 at 8:03 am

    Great post. Sorry for your loss.
    I just posted about some zucchini cookies I made because I found a handwritten recipe from my grandma (who passed away in 1984). These are the best kinds of recipes, aren’t they?!

  • Reply
    foodies at home
    August 11, 2010 at 7:26 am

    I am so sorry for you loss. I too lost my grandma a couple years back. We were so close and I miss her very much. It’s amazing how recipes, smells and tastes can bring back so many wonderful memories. The one thing I did take from my grandma was her recipe books. It’s great to have those precious meals that bring those feelings back. My thoughts are with you and your family.

  • Des

    Hey! I'm Des!

    Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.

    Read more »

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