Rich Chocolate Cake

I know that chocolate cake isn't the healthiest of foods, no. But I also know that cake is an important part of most celebrations, so you're bound to be given the opportunity to bake and/or eat it quite often. I posted my recipe for a simple vanilla cake a while ago and at that time mentioned the fact that boxed caked mixes are not exactly healthy for you. They contain many additives, preservatives, (chemicals), GMOs, etc. They also contain ingredients that children (and adults) with allergies can't have - ie. nut products and red dyes. Making a cake from scratch is really not that difficult and oh so much "healthier"! Here is a recipe for a wonderful chocolate cake, that tastes great with just about any icing. I baked this today for my nephew's 4th birthday party. Happy Birthday M! Enjoy!

Rich Chocolate Cake

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cups good cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee (or boiling hot water)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease your cake pans. (I used 2 - 9" round cake pans).
2. Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the bowl and mix until combined.
3. In another bowl, combine the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry. With mixer still on low, add the coffee (or water) and stir just to combine, scraping the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula.
4. Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean.
5. Cool in the pans for 30 minutes, then turn them out onto a cooling rack and cool completely.
6. Ice cakes as desired, serve and ENJOY!