Friday, March 02, 2007

Chocolate cake

In my party post I mentioned a recipe for chocolate cake. Before I get to that however let me just say that some of my favorite TV lately is the Food Network. I love 30 minute meals with Rachel Ray and I also have been getting some good ideas lately from Quick fix meals with Robin Miller.

Tonight for dinner I fixed these meatball parm subs but with beef instead of chicken. I've made them before and they are a snap to make and very tasty!

Now on to the good stuff, the first year Adam and I were dating (10 1/2 years ago) I made him a chocolate birthday cake from scratch that he says was the best ever. For 10 more birthdays I've been trying to make it again and finally this year I succeeded. (I didn't actually make chocolate EVERY year!) I saw Robin Miller make this one on one of her Quick Fix Meals shows and I thought I would try again this year. We found it very delicious and easy to make so it looks like a keeper!

Chocolate Cake

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 3/4 cups brown sugar
3/4 cup cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup boiling water
Confectioners' sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
*Note:I didn't have buttermilk but substituted Milk with 1 tablespoon vinegar per cup milk and let sit for a bit.

Combine dry ingredients in large bowl and slowly whisk in wet ingredients. Pour into greased 9 by 12-inch baking pan and bake for 25 minutes. Allow to cool. Dust with confectioners' sugar and serve.

I felt that after 25 minutes it looked a bit runny still so I cooked it for about 12 more minutes and it turned out that the center was still wobbly then too but it did gel up nicely when it cooled a bit and those were the best pieces. Next time I think I'll pull it out at 30 minutes. Enjoy!!!

7 comments:

Mella said...

Ah, I love Food Network. I haven't actually seen much of Robin Miller though. Paula Deen and Barefoot Contessa are two of my favorites.

Oh, and I like Good Eats with Alton Brown. Though, I haven't cooked anything that he has made on that show.

Anonymous said...

This sounds yummy! It seems similar to a recipe I have called Macadocious Cake that comes out of the oven jiggly as well.

Stephanie Appleton said...

Sounds like a good one. You mentioned your birthday in the last post. Wondering what day. Vivian's is Monday.

Linds said...

Sounds delicious. I am eating some chocolate as I comment. AndI also want to know what day your birthday is please! MOM will tell us, if you don't!

Staci said...

Chocolate cake...my all time favorite!!

When we had TV, Food Network was one of my favorite things!!
I LOVE COOKING SHOWS!!!

Barb said...

The minute I saw buttermilk in the list of ingredients, I knew this would be a great cake. I'll have to remember the milk and vinegar substitution. I never keep buttermilk around unless I specifically need it for a recipe and then I end up throwing out the part I don't use since there's absolutely no way in this world I'd drink it. Blech.

But I know it makes wonderful, moist cakes.

Anonymous said...

Hi Heidi,

I found your site through the Blog Party. Thanks for sharing your chocolate cake recipe. It just so happens that I'm the designated dessert-bringer to our extended family dinner on Sunday. It looks like I've found a winner.
P.S. It's nice to meet you!