For some reason, for the last few days I really wish I had 1/4 of a chocolate cake around. I'd slice it and eat a third of it each day. I'd have to drive 50 minutes each way to & from a good bakery... out of proportion for my "need".
I've baked bread, scones, pizza crusts. I don't feel I'm up to baking a cake, I feel I'd need an in-person guide the first time. I've seen cake failures (not a pretty sight). My wife is away still, but in any case I think she wouldn't be into serving as guide... she generally avoids temptation, attempting to control her weight.
This cake from one of the Barefoot Contessa Cookbooks & has worked well for me. I've made it as a sheet cake & layer cake.
Deep Chocolate Cake
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup cocoa powder (plus more for dusting pan)
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 cup buttermilk (see note below)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 extra-large eggs, room temperature
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup HOT coffee
Preheat oven to 350°. Butter two 8" pans or one 9 x 13 pan. Line bottom with parchment paper, butter paper and dust pans with cocoa powder.
Combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a bowl with a whisk.
In another bowl (a large measuring cup is good), combine buttermilk, oil, eggs and vanilla.
With the mixer on low speed, slowly add wet ingredients to the dry. With mixer still on slow, add coffee and stir just to combine scrapping bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula. The batter will be runny.
Pour batter into pans and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until tooth pick comes out clean. Cool in pans for 30 minutes, then turn out on cooling racks and cool completely. I don't worry if the center sinks just a tiny bit, icing will hide it.
NOTE: If you don't have buttermilk, put either 1 Tbsp. lemon juice or 1 Tbsp. vinegar in a measuring cup. Fill with milk (whole milk I think works best) to make 1 cup. Let sit for 5 minutes & then use.
Cream Cheese Icing
1 cream cheese, 8-ounce softened
1/2 cup butter, softened ~ NO SUBSTITUTIONS
1 pound powder sugar (or amount needed)
2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. salt
In large bowl, whip cream cheese and butter until well blended. Gradually add sugar until all has been added. Add the vanilla and salt at the very end mixing in well.
, Alfredo sauce over brown rice pasta and garlic spice, parsley.
