Once you have your basic white cake recipe you will need a great chocolate cake recipe. I have tried and tested so many recipes and this is the one for me. It is very moist, has a rich chocolate flavour and a beautiful dark brown colour. This chocolate cake can be baked well ahead of time and it will still be great. If you are going to cut the cake into layers, bake the cake a day ahead of time. Sure, you can bake a cake and decorate it on the same day but you will save yourself some frustration by baking ahead of time.
Ingredients:
2 cups (290 g) all-purpose flour
2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
3/4 cup (90 g) cocoa powder – extra dark
2 teaspoons (10 g) baking soda
1 teaspoon (5 g) baking powder
1 teaspoon (9 g) salt
2 eggs at room temperature, lightly beaten
1 cup (237 ml) strong, hot black coffee or espresso
15ml vinegar
1 cup (237 ml) milk, room temperature
1/2 cup (125 ml) vegetable oil
1 teaspoon (5 ml) pure vanilla extract
oven temperature 325ºF/165ºC
baking time 35 – 40 minutes depending on the size of the cake
Method:
- Prepare the cake pans – grease the sides of the pan and place parchment paper in the bottom of the pan
- Sift all the dry ingredients (not the sugar)into a medium sized bowl
- Measure the sugar, oil and egg in to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment
- Measure the milk into a measuring jug and add the vinegar
- Add the dry ingredients to the oil and sugar mixture and beat on a low speed for 1 minute
- Add the milk to the mixer bowl a little at a time until the mixture is smooth
- Measure boiling water into a measuring jug and dissolve the coffee in it
- Add the boiling water to the mixer, pour slowly to avoid burns
- Divide the batter amongst prepared pans. The batter will be very runny
- The cakes are done when the centre of the cake bounces back when you press into it.
- Cool the cake on wire racks for 20 minutes then gently invert onto racks until completely cool
*If you notice that your cake forms a Volcano when baked, your oven is too hot and you should reduce the heat of your oven the next time you bake the cake.