80 Comments
User's avatar
Sally Vargas's avatar

In desperation, I bought some at Trader Joe's and am contemplating throwing it out. I mean, I know it's been a bleep year, but if we can't buy a box of Hershey's....the cake looks fabulous. Happy Thanksgiving, David.

Patricia A Branning's avatar

I cannot wait to make that chocolate cake with the peanut butter icing for my granddaughter.

It's the perfect cake for her! Thanks for posting.

TurquoiseThyme's avatar

I used to read/look at a photo blog about Cuba. One post was about the old Hersey Chocolate Farm Mill, which I had not realized was an industry there before Castro. Maybe Cuba could redevelop as Chocolate Farms again?

David Leite's avatar

Now there's an idea!!!

Margaret Tomlinson's avatar

Also, tariffs. Cacao cannot be grown in the US.

David Leite's avatar

You, those, too. But they haven’t really impacted the shortage for the last six months.

Helinka's avatar

Stocked up on black cocoa for my cakes. How can one live without a recipe for a damn good dark chocolate cake to bake for one’s dear friends?!

David Leite's avatar

I totally hear you!

Amy Arnold's avatar

We've almost destroyed our planet, global warming, etc

Pretty soon, we won't even have cows for milk, let alone meat...Cocoa? A pure luxury. 🌎🍃🌲🌍

So depressing 😞🙁😔

Cheryl Kloscak's avatar

Same story here in NE Ohio. I’ve ended up paying $15 for an 8 oz can of Guittard cocoa! I miss my Hersheys Special Dark. 😢No cocoa, JoAnns has closed, my hobbies are taking one hit after another. That cake looks amazing though.

David Leite's avatar

I miss JoAnn's, too. I got a lot of fabric for photo backgrounds there. I hope you make the cake.

Cheryl Kloscak's avatar

I found Hershey cocoa powder at Dollar General $4/bag!

David Leite's avatar

That’s the Dictionary definition of lucky!

Cheryl Kloscak's avatar

They’re 6 oz bags but that’s enough for a cake!

Sheryl O'Connell's avatar

I am going out to buy some cocoa, and then I will be making your cake. I am sure I saw Hershey’s the other day …. I sure hope I did!

David Leite's avatar

I hope you like it!!

Ann-Marie Gillett's avatar

This essay (hilarious and informative as well!) makes it clear that given the way we humans are screwing up the planet we shouldn't take anything we use or eat for granted. Add politicians who have their heads up their posteriors pretending climate change is a hoax I fear all the other things (coffee next?) that will become luxuries. Thanks for keeping us informed in a way that at least gives us a chuckle while we cry!

David Leite's avatar

Anne-Marie, you are more than welcome!

Tom Flinn's avatar

King Arthur Flour has great dark cocoa. Love it for the Hershey’s cake. I’m 65 too and I say we have 20 years of chocolate cake to go! Tommy

David Leite's avatar

Tom, I ordered some a few days ago. It should arrive today. And 20 years more of chocolate cake sounds divine!

Lisa Amtower's avatar

Oh, dear. What a sad prospect. I use King Arthur Double Dark Cocoa, it is superb. Try the Mocha Espresso Bundt cake! I add a cup of dried cranberries, people love it. Your writing is hilarious as always!

David Leite's avatar

Yes, I'm getting some today. They don't seem to be affected as much, but if things continue the way they are, I would assume they have to be, sadly.

Lisa Amtower's avatar

Ooops it's called Mocha Pound Cake. You gotta try it.

Lisa Amtower's avatar

That looks amazing, it’s on my list!

David Leite's avatar

Let me know how it turns out!!

Lisa Amtower's avatar

The cake is dynamite! I made it in a Bundt pan, it came out perfectly. Posted a photo at LC.

Lisa Amtower's avatar

Likewise! Add the dried cranberries!

Trudy's avatar

Damn! I've got a big birthday coming up. How will I subvert my aging anxiety without chocolate cake? Vanilla just ain't gonna get me through.

Thank you for transporting me back to the Big Y baking aisle! Mwah!

David Leite's avatar

Well, my dear Trudy, you have to come to Roxbury so that I can bake for you! XOXO

The Simmering Chef's avatar

Oh, damn it, David. It's the Hershey's cocoa that makes my mom's chocolate syrup recipe taste right. Thank you for the laugh and the cri de cœur. Oh, our chocolate-filled hearts.

David Leite's avatar

You are more than welcome! And I haven’t heard the phrase cri de coeur in a long time! choice!

Catherine's avatar

Thank you for making me laugh out loud! F*ing hilarious! And the heads up on cocoa.

CK

David Leite's avatar

Thanks, CK!

Kristi Chase's avatar

The only thing I make that uses Hershey's, is BBQ sauce based on the late great James Ryan's Hoodoo Sauce from the Rat(hskeller). It definitely needs the chocolate.

David Leite's avatar

I agree, Kristi. Xocoa is the magic ingredient in BBQ sauces. Reminds me of using chocolate in Mexican Mole Poblano.

Kristi Chase's avatar

You really need to use unsweetened chocolate in mole. Most chocolate tends to be too sweet. I have eaten some really sickly mole sauces in bad Mexican restaurants. The complex dark flavor is key.

David Leite's avatar

Totally agree.

Harrison's avatar

the smartest food brands are currently planning backup sourcing options for when their current supply chain is inevitably disrupted by climate change-induced conditions

David Leite's avatar

Harrison, which is great. Hershey put a request into the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to buy over 90,000 metric tons of cocoa (which is waaaay more than they usually get). But from my last research, it hasn't been granted yet.