Perfect Chocolate Cake

A couple of weeks ago I was looking on Pinterest for some more fun recipe ideas when I saw a recipe for Black Magic Cake- The best chocolate cake ever!  Wow, what a name. It looked really good. I looked at the recipe which called for black coffee and decided not to pin it since I don't drink coffee.  Then shortly after my sister asked me to bring chocolate cake to a family lunch after her son's baptism.  So I decided to make this cake and substitute the coffee for hot chocolate. I'll never know what it tastes like with coffee but I can tell you the way I made it was AMAZING!


As soon as I finished cutting the cake I took a piece out for me to take pictures of then let everyone go for it. It was gone in minutes!  Lots of people told me how much they loved it!   I was full from lunch so I took my piece home and refrigerated it then tried it later that night.  I took one bite and I was amazed how good it was!!!!  It's so moist and really is the perfect chocolate cake.  The frosting complemented the cake perfectly and was so tasty.  This is now my go to chocolate cake recipe!


I made the cake again for my sister-in-law Kim because she loved it and baby sat Levi for me.  I tried it as soon as I frosted it and again after being in the fridge and I realized I liked it better after being in the fridge because I loved how the frosting slightly hardened and the taste it created.  Kim likes it better not in the fridge, so either could be your favorite!


My little package of hot chocolate called for adding 3/4 cup of water but I just added 1 cup and it turned out great!  But if you'd rather not add more chocolate just add water.  I love this cake and hope you try it!  

Perfect Chocolate Cake

Recipe adapted from justapinch.com- Lisa Glass

Ingredients:

1 ¾ cup all purpose flour

2 cups sugar

¾ cup cocoa powder

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

2 eggs

1 cup hot chocolate, cooled (or 1 cup hot water)

1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar, let sit for 5 min.)

½ cup vegetable oil

1 tsp real vanilla extract

Chocolate Frosting:

½ cup butter, softened

2 oz melted unsweetened chocolate, cooled

3 cups powdered sugar

3 Tbsp milk

2 tsp real vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 F.  Combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl or stand mixer.

Add eggs, hot chocolate (or water), buttermilk, oil, and vanilla.

Beat at medium speed for two minutes.  Batter will be thin.

Pour batter into a greased and floured 9 x 13 or two 9 inch cake pans.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes for a 9 x 13, or 30-35 for layer pans.

Combine frosting ingredients and mix with a hand or stand mixer. Spread frosting on cooled cakes.