Craving a delicious and indulgent treat that’s also easy to make? Look no further than this Simple Dark Chocolate Cake recipe. Perfect for any occasion or simply for satisfying your sweet tooth, this decadent dessert will have everyone coming back for more. With rich cocoa flavor and a moist, tender crumb, it’s a classic favorite that you’ll want to have in your recipe collection.
**Ingredients:**
– 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
– 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
– 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
– 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 2 large eggs
– 1 cup whole milk
– 1/2 cup vegetable oil
– 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
– 1 cup hot water
**Instructions:**
1. **Preheat the oven:** Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or two 8-inch round cake pans, ensuring they are well prepared for the batter.
2. **Mix dry ingredients:** In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
3. **Add wet ingredients:** Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Beat the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined. The batter will be thick at this stage.
4. **Incorporate hot water:** Gradually pour in the hot water while stirring the batter continuously. The batter will become thinner, but this is necessary for a moist and tender cake.
5. **Bake the cake:** Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan(s) and tap the pans gently on the counter to remove any air bubbles. Place the pan(s) in the preheated oven and bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. **Cool and serve:** Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, carefully turn the cake out onto a wire rack to cool completely. You can enjoy it as is or frost with your favorite icing for an extra special touch.
Dark chocolate lovers will adore the deep, intense flavor of this cake, while its simplicity makes it a go-to recipe for both novice and experienced bakers alike. Serve it as a delightful dessert for family gatherings, birthdays, or as a special treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea. This Simple Dark Chocolate Cake is sure to become a staple in your baking repertoire for its ease of preparation and crowd-pleasing taste. Enjoy the joy of baking and savoring this homemade delight!
