I’m thrilled to share with you my all-time favorite recipe – the classic Chocolate Cake. This isn’t just any chocolate cake. It’s the recipe that my grandmother passed down to me, and it has a special place in my heart. Not only does it bring back so many cherished memories, but it also never fails to impress at any gathering. It’s rich, moist, and oh-so-chocolaty, yet surprisingly simple to make. One bite of this decadent treat, and you’d feel the love and warmth that went into baking it. Trust me, this cake is a real showstopper! So, why do I love this recipe? Well, apart from its incredible taste, I love the fact that it’s a no-fuss recipe. Even if you’re a beginner, you can whip up this cake with ease. Plus, it’s the perfect dessert for any occasion – be it a birthday, anniversary, or a simple family get-together. Now, let’s get baking!
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 c. flour
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. red food coloring
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. soda
- 1 1/2 c. sugar
- 7 Tbsp. cocoa
- 1/2 c. shortening
- 1 c. buttermilk
Baking Instructions
- Sift all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
- Stir.
- Add the rest and beat with electric mixer for 2 minutes.
- Pour into greased and floured pans (2).
- I use small tube pan.
- Bake at 350° for 30 minutes.
- Tube pan takes 40 minutes.
Calorie: 350
Total cooking time: 50 minutes
Difficulty level: Easy
The Chocolate Cake Chronicles
Once upon a kitchen time, I found myself staring down a recipe that seemed as complex as a quantum physics equation. The ingredient list was more like a grocery list for a small army: 1 3/4 c. flour, 2 eggs, 1 tsp. baking powder, 1 tsp. red food coloring, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. soda, 1 1/2 c. sugar, 7 Tbsp. cocoa, 1/2 c. shortening, and 1 c. buttermilk. The mission? To create the ultimate, Favorite Chocolate Cake. After a deep breath (and a quick prayer to the baking gods), I rolled up my sleeves and dove in.
The Floury Beginnings
In the name of all that is sweet and delicious, I began with the daunting task of sifting all the dry ingredients together. I’m not going to lie, getting the flour, cocoa, baking powder, soda, and salt to play nice in the same big bowl was a bit like herding cats. A small cloud of flour dust later, I stood victorious, if a little powdery.
Stirring Things Up
Next up was the stirring. Now, this wasn’t your run-of-the-mill stirring. This was stirring with purpose, stirring with passion. With every turn of the spoon, I could feel the ingredients starting to come together, the potential of the cake beginning to rise. Despite the red food coloring making everything look suspiciously like a crime scene, the mixture was starting to resemble something cake-like.
The Great Beating
Now came the moment of truth. Into the mix went the eggs, sugar, shortening, and that all-important buttermilk. Out came the electric mixer, my weapon of choice in the great cake baking wars. For two whole minutes, I battled the rogue splashes and the defiant lumps, until victory was mine. The batter was ready. It was smooth, it was creamy, and darn it, it was beautiful!
Pan-demonium
The next step was to pour the batter into greased and floured pans. Now, I’ve never been one for conformity, so I opted for a small tube pan. It’s a bit like choosing to ride a unicycle to work – it’s not the most practical choice, but it sure adds a touch of fun to the whole process. And let me tell you, trying to get an even layer of batter into a tube pan is a workout and a half. Who needs a gym membership when you bake, am I right?
Baking Away
With the cake safely tucked away in the oven, set a toasty 350°, I had a rare moment of calm. The kitchen looked like a flour bomb had detonated, and I was all but covered in various ingredients, but there was a cake baking. A glorious, delicious chocolate cake. Now all I had to do was wait for 40 minutes. Forty long, torturous minutes of heavenly aromas wafting from the oven.
The Final Act
At last, the timer pinged, announcing the grand arrival of the cake. Giddier than a kid on Christmas morning, I pulled the cake from the oven. It was a sight to behold, all warm and chocolaty. The taste? Well, let’s just say that it was a cake fit for the gods.
So, there you have it, folks. The chronicles of a humble baker and the quest for the Favorite Chocolate Cake. Amidst the flour clouds, the stirring struggles, and the pan-demonium, there was laughter, there was fun, and most importantly, there was cake. And isn’t that what baking is all about?
