{"id":1693,"date":"2015-11-13T07:00:35","date_gmt":"2015-11-13T07:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/betondinner.com\/?p=1693"},"modified":"2018-03-09T02:33:50","modified_gmt":"2018-03-09T02:33:50","slug":"chocolate-cake-aka-the-birthday-cake","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/betondinner.com\/chocolate-cake-aka-the-birthday-cake\/","title":{"rendered":"Chocolate Cake (aka The Birthday Cake)."},"content":{"rendered":"

\"chocolate<\/a><\/p>\n

I’ve always loved to bake, and a few years ago I decided to part ways with cake mixes. I mean, making a cake from scratch has to taste better, right? Um, not necessarily. I’ve tried a lot of recipes and while they’ve all been “good” in the “I’m eating chocolate cake” sense, I haven’t always loved the texture, or the taste was unexciting. But this – this is by far the best chocolate cake I’ve ever made – and maybe ever had?? It’s\u00a0so<\/em> moist,\u00a0so<\/em> chocolatey, so\u00a0<\/i>light and fluffy, and it makes the perfect birthday cake. My four-year-old had it for her 3rd birthday…then we made it again for her half birthday (yes, we make half a cake for half birthdays around here), and her 4th birthday, and we just made it for my mom’s birthday! It’s pretty beloved around here.<\/p>\n

\"eating<\/a><\/p>\n

I took some pictures while we were making it, but since it was already dark even though it was 4:30 they didn’t turn out well (thanks for nothing, DST). But it’s so easy to throw together! Once you measure and mix the dry ingredients, it’s just as easy as a cake mix. You can use a stand mixer, a handheld mixer, or whisk it up by hand! After\u00a0you add the wet mixture, there is one extra ingredient: you stir in a cup of hot coffee at the end, which\u00a0enhances the chocolate flavor without making it taste like coffee. (I’m lazy and don’t actually know how to make coffee, so I used a random Starbucks Via packet that we had in the cupboard!) The batter will seem super runny, but that’s okay – it’s just a very moist cake.<\/p>\n

As for the icing situation, I love (love, love) this whipped chocolate buttercream<\/a> from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe – it has melted chocolate chips in it and it’s heavenly! I have no cake frosting skills, so I went with the rustic look and didn’t even frost the sides. Bonus: this method leaves you with a little leftover icing to\u00a0do with what you will<\/em> – I personally recommend dipping animal crackers or pretzels in it while your children are napping.<\/p>\n

The cake would also be delicious with a vanilla frosting<\/a>, or cream cheese frosting<\/a>, if that’s your thing, or or or peanut butter<\/a>! (I haven’t tested these recipes, but perhaps you should!?) Or maybe you need a beautiful, naturally-dyed pink icing<\/a>?<\/p>\n

\"my<\/a>Note to self: take pictures of decadent chocolate cake during naps next time.\u00a0Love that chubby hand!<\/em><\/p>\nPrint<\/a>

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