Moist Chocolate Cake Recipe

The food: My boyfriend’s birthday was last week (I won’t say how old he is, but he does have more white hair than I), so I surprised him with a homemade cake. Cake is often much too dry for my taste, so I set out to make the moistest chocolate cake possible. Also, I’m not a fan of typical frosting, which can be gritty or flavorless, so went with a rich and creamy chocolate cream cheese frosting. As I type this, I’m starting to realize this cake was a lot more about me than him. Oops!

The music: When I’m making something sweet and rich, Ella Fitzgerald is my go-to gal (my Classic Cheesecake is another example). This time, I chose “Early Ella: Great Ballads by Ella Fitzgerald” because we had found it uncovered a few days earlier at an estate sale—for $1! This 1963 Decca LP includes 12 smooth and soulful that truly showcase the beauty of Ella’s voice. It’s one of the best albums for those who prefer slow, sweet Ella to peppy, sassy Ella. It’s the kind of album that will make you fall a little more in love, and it pairs perfectly with decadent desserts and white wine.

Don’t own “Early Ella”? Listen along with my “Moist Chocolate Cake” playlist on Spotify.

Although I much prefer pie to cake, this dense and super-moist chocolate cake recipe is something I’ll actually eat—and enjoy. It’s made all the better, of course, with a generous layer of the cream cheese frosting. In the past, I’ve been guilty of ruining cakes by being impatient and trying to ice them too quickly. For a photo-worthy cake, let the cake cool completely before adding this nicely spreadable frosting one section at a time.

Prefer bars to cake? Try my recipe for Chocolate Chip Brownies, too.

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• ¾ cup cocoa
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 cup milk
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• For frosting:
• 1 package cream cheese, softened
• 2 tbsp. milk
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• ¼ cup butter, softened
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 cup cocoa
• ½ tsp. cinnamon

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 9-inch round pans.
2. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients with an electric mixer. Batter will be thin.
3. Pour batter evenly into prepared pans. Bake 30 minutes, until toothpick inserted into center of the cake comes out clean.
4. Let the cakes cool for about 10 minutes before removing from pans.
5. While cakes cool completely, make Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting. Beat cream cheese, 3 tbsp. milk, powdered sugar, butter, vanilla, cocoa, and cinnamon until smooth and spreadable. Add milk if needed to make thinner. Spread evenly between and over cakes.

http://www.cookingwithvinyl.com/moist-chocolate-cake/ ® Cooking with Vinyl (do not reproduce without permission)