THE BEST CHOCOLATE CAKE

First of all, hi.

Second of all, cake. Chocolate cake. The kind that makes you think of spring and sunshine all things happy in this world- contrary to what the cake really is. Devilish. Dark, rich and fudgy- yet light and fluffy. I’ve been looking for a cake who’s texture is similar to that of a box kind- moist and fluffy- I don’t like to use cake mixes because there’s a distinct store-bought flavor- after one bite, you can easily determine the brand of the mix. Plus, baking from a mix takes out all the fun of creating something from scratch.

Anyhow, this particular recipe came about. I remember making it several times years ago- but I think it was just buried under piles of chocolate cake recipes I’ve tried over the past few years. I went to read some reviews on the Hershey’s site (where this recipe originally comes from) – there was this one comment by a lady, who mentioned that she had been making this very cake since 1979- you know it’s a good recipe when people have been making it for that long. And it’s way better than any other chocolate cake I have made in the past- there have been a lot.

“But what makes the cake so moist?” you may ask. Well, here’s a quick chemistry lesson. When sodium bicarbonate combines with lactic acid, it releases carbon dioxide- a chemical reaction. In simpler terms, when you combine baking soda with buttermilk, a reaction happens and bubbles are released- these bubbles are responsible for the fluffiness of the cake. So no, you can’t substitute anything for baking soda or buttermilk- you can, however, add 1 tbsp of vinegar to regular milk as a substitute for buttermilk- same effect.

“How is it chocolatey and fudgy?” Well, the ingredients you use – the cocoa mainly, is plays a huge role in flavor. The better the cocoa, the better the flavor and chocolatey-ness of the cake- also, the darker the color. Devil’s food cake received its name from its light red tint- when baking soda reacts with unsweetened cocoa- a slight red tint is released.

INGREDIENTS:

• FOR THE CAKE:
• 2 cups (400 g) light brown sugar (I use demerara)
• 1 3/4 cups (220 g) all purpose flour
• 3/4 cup (85 g) dark, unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup (240 mL) buttermilk or sour milk*
• 1 cup (240 mL) strong black coffee (1 cup water + 2 tsp instant espresso powder)
• 1/2 cup (120 mL) vegetable oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• FOR THE FROSTING:
• 1/2 cup (110 g) unsalted butter
• 2/3 cup (60 g) dark, unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/3 cup (80 mL) milk
• 3 cups (375 g) powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS:
TO MAKE THE CAKE:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F or 180 C. Butter 2 9-inch circular baking pans (or a 9x13 inch pan), line the bottom with parchment paper and dust with flour.
2. In a large bowl, combine the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, soda and salt- whisk until incorporated.
3. Make a well in the center of the mixture and add in the eggs, buttermilk. Whisk to combine.
4. Add the coffee, oil and vanilla and continue mixing until everything is well incorporated.
5. Divide the batter between the two pans and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out almost clean or with a few moist crumbs.
6. Cool the cakes completely before frosting.

TO MAKE THE FROSTING:

1. Melt the butter.
2. Add the cocoa powder and whisk until smooth.
3. Gradually add in the powdered sugar, alternating with the milk and continue beating until light and fluffy.
4. Stir in the vanilla and salt.

thanks done share recipes to : www.hotchocolatehits.com/2014/06/the-best-chocolate-cake-recipe.html

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