chocolate cake--classic

this has been a family favorite for several years... i've had so many compliments from this cake and my kids (and husband) totally devour it. i had been on the search to find a moist, non-fluffy, yet not too heavy chocolate cake and actually found the hershey's recipe to be much like what i was looking for... it is not only delicious the first day, but days 2, 3 & 4 it is still fantastic...but shhh, we don't really continue eating the cake each day after the initial event, right? :)

Don't let the bugs eat it all!!

Set oven to 350

1 3/4 cups flour (whole wheat or white)

2 cups sugar

3/4 cup cocoa (I notice a difference when using Hershey's or store brands--higher cocoa content is better)

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

*****Mix dry ingredients until there are NO lumps from the flour or cocoa

Stop mixing and add:

2 eggs

1 cup milk (soy, buttermilk or sour milk work well also)

1/2 cup applesauce (or oil if you don't have applesauce)

2 tsp vanilla extract

******Mix until nice and smooth

Add 1 cup boiling hot chocolate drink or hot chocolate that you brought home from Europe, this stuff is incredible. But, regular hot chocolate works too. :)

Mix well, slowly. It will be a runnier batter than you're used to for normal cakes

Use a scraper to make sure the bottom of the batter is blended in

*******

Prepare (Grease & Flour or Parchment paper) 2 9" Rounds or whatever size you'd like. I have found that I have to leave about 1/2 cup of the batter out because this rises to the top of my pans and will overflow in my oven. So, I usually make a little small square of the remaining batter, cover with saran wrap and stick it in the freezer. Then I can make a cute little cake for a friend or use it for family night. (when I only want us to have a small square of sweetness)

*******

Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes, careful not to overbake.

Remove from pans and lay on racks to cool completely before frosting.

FROSTING:

This is my husband's favorite frosting. (He likes it better than mom's brownie frosting...but I say, eh Apples vs. Oranges :))

1/2 cup butter, melted

2/3 cup cocoa

3 cups powdered sugar

1/3 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

Melt butter, add cocoa, mix until nice and smooth. Add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time alternating with milk. Add vanilla and beat well--I like it nice and fluffy.

Delish, dude. :) Frost your cake and make it Nice. :) This cake is wonderful the 2nd, 3rd, 4th days also... moist and yum.