Does anyone remember Altman's chocolate layer cake?

[Epicure]

This cake defined every party of my childhood, it seems. It was sold only, as far as I know, in the bakeries of Altman's department stores; my family always got them in Short Hills, for example. I remember it being utterly perfect--creamy chocolate icing that was never too sweet and yellow cake that had real flavor. So here's the question: does anyone know any cake in the NY region that compares? The closest I've had is probably from Amy's, but if there's anything closer, I'd kill to try it.

[mnajarian1]

wow, i just saw this. do you remember the honey bread from the short hills shop. i would do anything for that recipe!!

[Whats_a_grit]

I was told that the baker from the Short Hills Altmans used his own recipe for the honey bread and that when they closed the recipe went with him. : (

I grew up on their honey bread. I must have started eating it before I was in kindergarten. My mother would put a ton of Philadelphia brick cream cheese on it (that way it was a "healthy" treat with some protein - important back in the late 1960's).

I was eating that stuff into high school.

Do you remember the sweet cinnamon? or honey rolls that they served as an appetizer at The Afton in Florham Park. They reminded me of Altmans, but really not the same. That place is gone too - It's either a bank or a daycare center.

I would love either a recipe or better, a place that sells "Altmans Honey Bread". How long ago did they stop selling it in Short Hills??

[Epicure]

Uh-oh, I don't know about Gertz. Do tell!
So you actually remember that cake? Did you love it too? How about the brownies and something we always called honey loaf? I still get unbearable cravings for those things, though the cake is still at the top for me.

[johnk]

Wow. How about Gertz?
The Entenmann's golden iced cake is pretty damn respectable.
I'm yearning for some tapioca pudding from Horn & Hardart.
Regards,
JK

[bocce]

Funny you should mention this cake. I had a friend come in from the Midwest and she claimed it was her favorite dessert ever (because she had never had my grandmother’s ricotta filled cream puffs). She claims it’s even tough to get out there, only available in supermarkets frozen. I’m guessing having them mailed out might be the only way to get your fix.

[Epicure]

Actually, I didn't believe it was available at all anywhere since the store went out of business YEARS ago. Are you sure your friend meant the department store bakery? I was wondering if there was anything similar out there!
By the way, how do I get my hands on some of your grandmother's ricotta filled cream puffs? That sounds amazing!