How To Make an Easy Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp. butter
• 2 c. granulated sugar
• 1 3/4 c. all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
• 3/4 c. cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 c. reduced-fat milk
• 1/2 c. vegetable oil
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 c. hot water or hot coffee
• Two nine-inch round baking pans
• A large mixing bowl
• A wooden spoon
• A hand mixer
• A toothpick, fork, or knife
• A cooling rack

Steps

1. Prepare the oven and pans - Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease the two baking pans with butter, and lightly dust the pans with flour. Set aside. (55 sec. )
2. Prepare the chocolate mixture - In the mixing bowl, stir together the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt with the wooden spoon until they’re well combined. (65 sec. )
3. Make the chocolate batter - Crack the eggs into the mixture and add the milk and oil. Beat on medium speed for one to two minutes until smooth. (75 sec. )
4. Mix in vanilla and water or coffee - Add the vanilla to the chocolate batter and beat on slow speed for one minute. Pour the hot water into the mixture and mix thoroughly with a wooden spoon. (84 sec. )
5. Bake the cake layers - Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans for 30 to 35 minutes until the center is slightly firm. (95 sec. )
6. Toothpick test - Because baking times vary slightly depending on ovens and elevations, do the toothpick test: Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake; when it comes up clean, without any batter or crumbs sticking to it, the cake is done. (103 sec. )
7. If you don’t have a toothpick, use a fork or knife instead. (117 sec. )
8. Cool the cake - Place the cake pans on a cooling rack and let them cool for 15 to 20 minutes. Invert the pans onto the rack and let the cake cool completely, about two hours. Put the layers on a cake stand or plate before frosting or serving. Enjoy! (122 sec. )
9. The first chocolate cake was baked in 1674 and is thought to be the reason people began eating more chocolate. (139 sec. )