It’s hard to find anything better than a great chocolate cake. A soft tender crumb with deep, rich chocolate notes and touched with a wisp of cinnamon. Topped with a thin, delicate coating of chocolate icing, it's one of the simplest cakes to make and truly one of the best you'll ever taste!
Cook Time 45 minutesmins
Course Dessert
Servings 8servings
Equipment
small saucepan
13" x 9" x 3" baking pan
Ingredients
For the cake:
2cupsflour
2cupssugar
½cupbutter
½cupshortening
1cupwater
4tablespoonsunsweetened cocoa powder
½cupbuttermilk
2extra-large eggs, lightly beaten
1teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1teaspoonbaking soda
1teaspooncinnamon
For the icing:
¼cupbutter
4tablespoonsmilk
2tablespoonsunsweetened cocoa powder
2cupspowdered sugar, sifted before measuring
1teaspoonpure vanilla extract
Instructions
For the cake:
Preheat the oven to 400-degrees. In a large mixing bowl whisk the flour and sugar together.
Combine the butter, shortening, water, and the cocoa powder in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until the butter and shortening have melted. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. Remove from the heat and cool slightly.
Add the chocolate mixture to the flour and sugar, whisking until smooth.
Pour in the buttermilk along with the eggs, vanilla extract, baking soda, and cinnamon, whisking until the mixture is blended and smooth.
Pour the batter into a 13” x 9” baking pan that has been lightly greased or sprayed with a cooking spray. Bake at 400-degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until the cake tests done.
While the cake cools, make the icing:
In a small saucepan, melt the butter with the milk and the cocoa powder, over medium heat until the butter has melted.
Removefrom the heat and add the powdered sugar, about ½ cup at a time, whisking intothe chocolate mixture.
Add the vanilla extract, whisking until the icing is smooth.
Pour over the cake while it is still slightly warm, spreading to cover evenly. Allow to cool before cutting.
Notes
Always sift powdered sugar before adding it to your base for the icing or frosting. This removes any lumps giving you a smooth, finished product.