Quick Chocolate Cake

I have been on the hunt for a delicious easy chocolate cake and after many trials (thanks to my taste testers) I found the winner.

This recipe seems to be around in many incarnations with slightly different quantities and a few differing ingredients but this is the one I found works best for me.

CHOCOLATE CAKE

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups flour

1 scant cup of sugar (not a heaped cup)

1/3 cup cocoa

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon bi carb soda

1 cup water

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 tablespoons white vinegar

2 teaspoons vanilla

METHOD

Mix all the dry ingredients together (I use my Kitchenaid stand mixer) on low just until combined. Combine wet ingredients in a separate bowl and then add to dry.  Mix on a medium speed until mixture is smooth – you will see the mixture is quite runny.

Pour into a greased cake tin and bake on 160 degrees for 30 minutes. This recipe also makes great cupcakes so you can pour into patty pans and bake for 15 minutes.

Test with a skewer to make sure it is cooked through when cooked the skewer will come out clean and dry.

Cool on a wire rack before decorating with chocolate fudge icing or split the cake and fill with whipped cream and raspberries – add a thin spread of nutella for extra decadence.

CHOCOLATE FUDGE ICING

2 cups icing sugar

1/4 cup cocoa

50g softened butter

3 tablespoons of milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

METHOD

Cream the butter 1 minute sift in icing sugar and cocoa and add remaining ingredients. Mix on medium speed until light and fluffy.  If you find the mix is a little thick add extra milk or too thin add extra icing sugar. Spread over cake and enjoy!

I have no doubt this cake will make it to your no fail recipe list – it is certainly on mine.

Please share this recipe with friends – chocolate cake is always best when shared!