Some recipes are special because they taste amazing. Others are special because of the memories they bring back. My GiGi’s Holy Smoke Cake is both!

GiGi had a serious love for chocolate, and this recipe was one of her favorites.

She made Holy Smoke Cake when her children were growing up, and when I started hosting our family gatherings, I happily took over the Holy Smoke duties. It’s been a family tradition ever since.

If you’ve ever made Holy Smoke Cake, you may be familiar with versions that call for one box of vanilla pudding and one box of chocolate pudding. That may be the more traditional approach, but not in GiGi’s kitchen! With her love of all things chocolate, she went all in with two boxes of chocolate pudding. And I wouldn’t dream of changing it.

Although GiGi is no longer with us, her Holy Smoke Cake still makes an appearance at our family gatherings. Every time I make it, I think of her and the wonderful memories we shared around the family table. It’s a sweet reminder that some of the best family traditions are passed down one recipe at a time.

So, this week’s Dishing it Out is a little extra special. I’m sharing a family favorite that’s full of chocolate, love and memories of my GiGi. One bite, and you’ll understand why we call it Holy Smoke Cake!

Holy Smoke Cake: A Sweet Tradition from My GiGi

Layer 1

Grease a 9 x 13 pan and preheat oven to 350°F.

Mix together:

  •  1 ½ cups All Purpose Flour
  •  1 ½ sticks butter, melted
  • 2/3 cup pecans, finely crushed

Press into pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes. Allow to Cool while preparing other layers.

Layer 2

  •  2 – 8 oz Cream Cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 cup Cool Whip

Layer 3

  •  2- packages (3.4 oz each) instant chocolate pudding mix
  •  1 cup Cool Whip
  •  3 cups milk

Layer 4

  • Remainder of a 16 oz Cool Whip Container
  • Chocolate Shavings
  •  Pecans

Directions

  1. After all layers have been prepared, begin assembly. To the cooled crust, spread the cream cheese layer.
  2. Add the chocolate pudding layer.
  3. Add the Cool Whip layer.
  4. Refrigerate several hours before serving.

Food Fairy Tips

Double down on the chocolate! Some versions of Holy Smoke Cake use both vanilla and chocolate pudding, but GiGi’s version calls for two boxes of chocolate. If you’re a chocolate lover, this is the way to go!

Give it time to chill. This is one of those desserts that gets even better after a few hours in the refrigerator. Making it the night before a family gathering is a great way to get a head start on your preparations.

Dress it up! A little shaved chocolate or a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips on top makes this family favorite look extra special when serving guests.

Keep family traditions alive. If you have a favorite recipe from your mother, grandmother or another special person in your life, don’t let it get lost. Write it down, share it with the next generation and, most importantly, keep making it. Sometimes the sweetest memories are made in the kitchen.

Search for ingredients at FOOD CITY.

Simple recipes. Big flavor. Little fuss. Aneisa Rolen shares easy-to-follow recipes with companion videos, making home cooking approachable for every cook.

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Enjoyed this article? Read more Dishing It Out with Aneisa Rolen.

This column is sponsored by Food City.

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