Sometimes the best things that “work for me” are the things that have worked for, well, a very long time.
Like a good recipe for something that you don’t want to let go. It took many trials and errors to find just the right version of a dish. Once you find that true one, why look elsewhere?
This couldn’t be more true when it comes to the quintessential chocolate layer cake. I’ve eaten and baked many of them. Yet this one stands out among them all. It’s foolproof. It’s decadent. It’s simple yet unforgettable.
I give you:
Hershey’s Deep Dark Chocolate Cake
(recipe via Hershey’s)
2 cups sugar
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup Hershey’s cocoa
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water
One-Bowl Buttercream Frosting:
6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
2-2/3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup Hershey’s cocoa
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round pans or one 13x9x2-inch baking pan. (*I use 2 8-inch round pans to make a taller cake.)
Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of electric mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pans.
Bake 30 to 35 minutes for round pans, 35 to 40 minutes for rectangular pan or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. (Cake may be left in rectangular pan, if desired.)
To make frosting, beat butter in medium bowl. Add powdered sugar and cocoa alternately with milk, beating to spreading consistency (additional milk may be needed). Stir in vanilla. Frost in between layers and on sides and top of stacked round cake layers, or just the top of a rectangular cake.
Enjoy!
Head to Rocks In My Dryer, this week’s host of Works for Me Wednesday, for more terrific tips and ideas!
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Leslie (1 year ago)
ohhhh – this looks divine! I’m bookmarking this to use for sure. I just hope I can hold off until a special occasion or I might just eat this all myself!
amy (1 year ago)
Thanks for posting this! I’ve been looking for good classic cake recipes.
Emily N. (1 year ago)
I saw your entry at WFMW. You said “best” and “chocolate” and I couldn’t click over here fast enough! this looks like a big piece of heaven! I’m afraid to make it… I might not share :)
~ Emily N. from “too Blessed to Stress”
Sherry (1 year ago)
Oh, yes! This is by far the best chocolate cake I have had! Hands down! :D Love it!
Mom (1 year ago)
I guess I should thank you for posting this wonderful cake recipe..one look at the picture and I was in the kitchen making one! Guess what Dad and I are having for dessert tonight? Mmmmm…..
UBP 2011! (10 months ago)
[...] I love to bake. You’ll see a lot of that [...]