One of the things I love about having a blog is that I can share with you all the good stuff I happen to have learned. And one of the important things I've learned is that every Mom needs to have a good basic cake recipe to pull out of her hat when cake is requested! I usually go for healthy recipes, but this one quite simply is not.....sometimes there is just no replacement for that sinful white flour and white sugar— at least there's no margerine!
I am often asked to bake cakes for community celebrations, and although I wouldn't call myself a master baker by any stretch of the imagination, I always feel confident baking this chocolate cake, because it's quite simply delicious and pretty much no-fail. And you probably have all the ingredients in your kitchen. Bake it as a flat cake or better yet, in a decorative pan like a bundt pan, ice it with chocolate/coffee glaze and you've got yourself a winner!
Doba's Basic Chocolate Cake Recipe:
- 2 1/2 cups white flour (I've used up to 1 cup whole wheat with success)
- 2 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 cup cocoa
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 5 eggs (you can use 4 if you prefer)
- 1 cup oil (I've used 1/2 cup of oil and the cake was still great)
- 2 cups very warm water
- 2 tsp vanilla
Mix together dry ingredients, and slowly add to bowl wet ingredients. Mix well.
Bake in a large sheet pan (approx 12"x14") at 350 degrees for one hour.
Note: If you use a standard bundt pan you will have some batter left over for a small cake or muffins.
Chocolate Glaze Recipe:
whoops cant' find it! but will get it to you soon!
Find the recipe here.
While glaze is still moist, add some sprinkles or grated coconut! And while you're at it, make a double batch so you'll have some cake in the freezer — always a good thing to have on hand for those unexpected guests! Even if your house is a mess, quickly defrost the cake (cut with a sharp knife and defrost in the microwave or in the oven) and serve it on a platter with some glasses of hot tea, and a smile. You'll be glad you took my advice!
