This is by far the simplest and most fail-proof chocolate cake recipe I have tried (believe me, I have tried many). A lot of chocolate cake recipes call for coffee (either powder or in liquid form) to be added but I have found the faint coffee taste to be distracting and not palatable to kids so I don’t add coffee. This is a great recipe for that bake sale or your child’s next birthday party and can be make in cake form or in easier cupcakes.

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar

1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup good quality cocoa powder

1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1 cup milk

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup boiling water

Chocolate Frosting (recipe follows)

Directions:

Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.

Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pans.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost with Chocolate Frosting.

10-12 Servings

Variations:

ONE-PAN CAKE: Grease and flour 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Heat oven to 350° F. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely. Frost.

CUPCAKES: Line muffin cups (2-1/2 inches in diameter) with paper bake cups. Heat oven to 350°F. Fill cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake 22 to 25 minutes. Cool completely. Frost.

Chocolate Frosting

The consistency of the chocolate frosting can vary depending on the quality of the powdered sugar. You may need to add more more than suggested below.

Ingredients:

6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened

2-2/3 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup good quality cocoa powder

1/3 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

Beat butter in medium bowl. Add powdered sugar and cocoa alternately with milk, beating to spreading consistency (additional milk may be needed). Stir in vanilla. About 2 cups frosting.