My Mom's Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake

Ever since I was a kid, my brother, sister, and I would beg my mother to bake us this cake.  Now I’m just begging her not to sue me for publishing it (her lawyer is a pit bull!)  With a little makeover, thanks to prizewinning chef Anna Ginsberg, the recipe is now officially immortal!  If you love chocolate chip cookies, you’ll love my Mom’s chocolate Chip Cookie Cake.

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.  Coat a 12-cup fluted tube pan with the nonstick baking spray.
2. For the topping, in a small bowl combine the ¼ cup butter and 2 tablespoons granulated sugar until creamy.  Stir in the nuts and 2 tablespoons chocolate chips.  Spoon into the bottom of the prepared pan; place pan in refrigerator while you make the cake batter.
3. For the cake, in a bowl stir together the flour, baking soda, and salt.  In a large mixing bowl beat the 1cup butter with an electric mixer until creamy.  Add the ½ cup granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla; beat for 1 minute.  Add the eggs one at a time, beating for 30 seconds after each addition.  Combine the buttermilk and Irish cream.  With the mixer on low speed, add the flour and buttermilk mixtures alternately to the batter, mixing well after each addition.  Stir in the 1¾ cups chocolate chips.  Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
4. Bake about 50 minutes or until a wooden skewer inserted into the cake comes out clean.  Immediately invert the cake onto a cooling rack and let cool completely,  If desired, drizzle with Chocolate Tapping.

NOTE:  For best results, have all ingredients at room temperature.

CHOCOLATE TOPPING:  In a small saucepan combine 1cup mini chocolate chips and 2 teaspoons shortening over low heat.  Stir until melted.

© Pop Cuisine Publishing, Take This Dish and Twist It (Meredith Books, 2008)