Mississippi Mud Cake

I inherited my mother-in-law's Mississippi Mud Cake recipe after JB and I got married.  I think JB has asked me to make it every year on his birthday (which is today).  Every year it has just been okay, never quite as good as my mother-in-law's (although my family manages to finish every crumb).

Several months ago, my mother-in-law was here for a visit and offered to make the MS Mud Cake.  As I was pulling all the ingredients from the pantry, she pointed out that we needed SELF RISING FLOUR rather than ALL PURPOSE FLOUR, which is what I'd always used.  A light bulb went off - that must be the difference in the way my cake has turned out all these years. Most of you probably know these kinds of things, but I'm what you call a "novice baker".

I baked the cake yesterday using SELF RISING FLOUR...what a difference! 

My husband let me know that I'd finally gotten it right.  Thanks, honey! 

 Maybe with a little vanilla ice cream?

Ingredients

2 sticks butter
1/2 c. cocoa
2 c. sugar
4 eggs slightly beaten
1 1/2 c. SELF RISING FLOUR
pinch salt
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 pkg small marshmallows
1 1/2 c. nuts (optional)

Melt cocoa and butter.  Stir in sugar, eggs, flour, salt, nuts and vanilla.  Bake in a 9x13 pan at 325 until done in the center.  Pour 1/2 pkg small marshmallows on cake while hot and let cool.  Ice when cool.

Icing

1 box powdered sugar
1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. cocoa
1/2 c. soft butter

I'm joining the following parties:

Recipe Sharing Monday at Jam Hands

Totally Tasty Tuesday's at Mandy's Recipe Box
Cast Party Wednesday at Lady Behind the Curtain 

(thanks for hosting, ladies!)