Mt. Olive Sweet Gherkin Chocolate Salad Dressing Cake with Pickled Cloud Nine Icing

May 4, 2021

2021 Dessert Contest Winner Submitted by Annette Stanek-Busch

Mouthwatering chocolate cake with delicious Mt. Olive Sweet Gherkins, this unique recipe is sure to impress!

Mt. Olive Sweet Gherkin Chocolate Salad Dressing Cake

Ingredients:
½ finely chopped Mt. Olive Sweet Gherkins (6-8)
3 Tbs plus ¼ cup Mt. Olive Sweet Gherkin pickle juice
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 ½ tsp baking powder
1 ½ tsp baking soda
4 Tbs unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup salad dressing (example: Miracle Whip—not light or fat free)
1 cup cold water
2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and cocoa powder.
  3. Add the finely chopped Mt. Olive Sweet Gherkins, 3 Tbs pickle juice, salad dressing, cold water and vanilla extract.
  4. Mix until smooth
  5. Divide batter into two 8” greased and floured layer cake pans.
  6. Bake in 350F oven for 28-35 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean.
  7. When cakes are done, invert onto cooling racks.
  8. While still warm, paint ¼ cup of the pickle juice on both layers to seep in for additional flavor.
  9. While cakes are cooling, make icing.

Pickled Cloud Nine Icing

Ingredients:
4 Tbs Mt. Olive Sweet Gherkin Pickle juice
½ cup butter
½ cup shortening
¾ cup whole milk
1 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup finely chopped Mt. Olive Sweet Gherkins (6-8)

Directions:

  1. Cream Mt. Olive Sweet Gherkin pickle juice, butter and shortening.
  2. Heat milk until skin is formed; let cool at room temperature.
  3. Place sugar in a separate bowl; add milk to sugar slowly.
  4. Add milk/sugar mixture to butter/shortening mixture while beating well.
  5. Add vanilla extract.
  6. Continue to beat well until thickened (this may take 5-10 minutes).

Assembling the Sweet Gherkin Chocolate Salad Dressing Cake with Pickled Cloud Nine Icing:

  1. Spread enough icing on the first cake layer to ¼” to ½” in height.
  2. Sprinkle ¼ cup chopped Mt. Olive Sweet Gherkins over this icing layer.
  3. Add 2nd cake layer on top of 1st layer.
  4. Add icing to the top of this layer.
  5. Continue with icing on the sides of the cake, smoothing as you apply.
  6. Sprinkle remainder of chopped Mt. Olive Sweet Gherkins on top of the iced cake.
  7. Slice and enjoy!
  8. Serves 8-12.
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