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Ditch the Box - Homemade Chocolate Cake



First, a disclaimer... I am NOT a cake baker.  I am a mom, wife, daughter, friend, home cook, but not a pastry chef, cake decorator, or anything like that.  My attempt at baking cakes is purely for fun and for my eating pleasure.

 This weekend I wanted cake!  I have for you today the mother of all cakes.  This cake even worked out for me, a non cake baker.  I had never baked a two-layer cake that didn't crack in the middle or slide off the plate.  I usually only have success with sheet cakes or those in 9 x 13 pans, or cupcakes.  But this weekend I wanted a two layer cake.  Something pretty that I could be proud of.  I didn't want over the top sweet, so I opted to only frost between the layers and on top.  This also saved a lot of potential anxiety for me because frosting the sides causes me lots of stress!  This cake was a great success - on all levels:
Delicious?-yes!
Chocolaty?-yes!
Moist?-yes!
Great crumb like boxed cake?-YES!
Regular ingredients that I had in my pantry? Yes!

I found the recipe on Chickens in the Road (RECIPE - HERE).  Suzanne never leads me down the wrong path and I knew I could depend on a good cake with basic pantry ingredients if I used her recipe.  Her blog offers just a complete wealth of information.  Go see it HERE!   

 I made a couple of modifications.  I am listing Suzanne's exact recipe and my modifications.  I made modifications ONLY because I had two eggs (instead of the three called for in the recipe) and because I knew Suzanne would probably do the same thing LOL.

 I will be forever DITCHING THE BOX of chocolate cake mix.  This cake is spot on perfect!  It will make great birthday cakes, summer desserts, and treat day contributions.  I will definitely be making more of these!

 I frosted my cake with a little-of-this-little-of-that cream cheese buttercream (sorry, I have no recipe), but I will also frost it in the future with chocolate icing, seven minute frosting, and german chocolate frosting.  Most members of my family prefers no frosting so it will be good with just powdered sugar or a scoop of whipped cream.  Heck-it's so good it would need nothing at all!  Really!  

 Here's how I made Ditch the Box - Homemade Chocolate Cake - AT HOME MY WAY:
Ditch the Box - 
Homemade Chocolate Cake

  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I only had 3/4 cup.)
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup butter (room temp) (2 sticks) (I used the real thing!)
  • 1 3/4 cups sugar
  • 3 eggs (I only had two so used two large eggs + 1/4 cup plain yogurt)
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 2/3 cups milk 
Instructions:  Preheat oven to 350.  Grease and flour two cake pans (round) (I didn't spray - I actually greased and floured and my cakes came out perfectly).  First, combine the butter (room temp), eggs, sugar, and vanilla.  Mix well (using a mixer).   Add the baking soda, baking powder, and salt.  Mix.  Add the remaining ingredients and blend/mix approximately 2 additional minutes.

Divide dough between the two greased/floured pans.  Lift and slam them on the counter to even the batter/release any air bubbles.  

Bake in FULLY PREHEATED 350 Ā° oven for 35 minutes (do not open the oven to peak or they will fall.).  The middles will be springy to the touch when done.

Let cool about 10 minutes before removing from the pans.  Slide a knife around the edges to release from the pan.  Cool on racks (right side up.)

I frosted between layers by dumping some of the frosting and spreading within one inch of the edge of the cake.  Topped with the top layer and just frosted the top.  

Ta-da!!  



Enjoy!


Gina

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