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simple chocolate cake
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Simple Chocolate Cake

Serve this versatile cake plain, with a dusting of sifted powder sugar, with fresh berries and a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream, alongside a scoop of ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce, completely covered with a smooth ganache, or swirled with a luscious cream cheese frosting. Bake in two 8" or 9" round or square pans, or in one 9" X 13" pan.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword simple chocolate cake
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 12 servings
Calories 350kcal
Author Joe Boyle

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (400 grams) white granulated sugar (I use a mixture of white & light brown sugar)
  • 2 cups (245 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup (60 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder (natural or Dutch-processed)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup water and/or coffee (I use half of each)
  • 1 cup milk (I use whole milk)
  • 1/2 cup canola oil
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Have all ingredients at room temperature.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F and place oven rack in the center of the oven.
  • Spray the pan with a non-stick vegetable spray then flour it, or line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper and spray it.
  • In a large bowl whisk or sift together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  • In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, water (and/or coffee), milk, oil, and vanilla extract.
  • Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir or whisk until combined (the batter will be quite thin).
  • Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 20 - 30 minutes or until the cake starts to pull away from the sides of the pan, it springs back when you lightly tap the middle of the cake, and a toothpick stuck in the middle comes out clean. Do not under-bake.
  • Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes, then turn the cake out of the pan.
  • Serve warm or at room temperature plain or with whatever toppings you like.
  • Be sure to let the cake cool completely before frosting.

Notes

  1. The raspberry sauce is really good with this cake. You should try it.

Nutrition

Calories: 350kcal