Chocolate cake
Ingredients
(There are a few simple tricks here that result in a cake with better flavor & texture.)
1 cup milk of choice (240 ml/g)
1 Tbsp vinegar (I like apple cider)
1 cup freshly brewed coffee or boiling water (240 ml/g)
3/4 cup (84 g) cocoa powder (unsweetened Dutch process)
1/2 tsp sea salt
332 g Gusto Pancake & Baking Mix (2/3 pack) or 2 1/3 cups scooped & levelled
3/4 cup oil
2 cups sugar (400 g)
2 large eggs, beaten, at room temperature
2 tsp vanilla
Directions
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Preheat oven to 350F or see tip below.
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Line 2 x 8” round cake pans with parchment & spray with baking spray or grease with butter. (Can also bake in 1 single 9” pan & slice in 2 when cool.)
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Combine milk & vinegar. Set aside.
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In a separate bowl whisk coffee or water together with the cocoa powder & salt. (This is called blooming your cocoa)
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In a medium sized bowl measure out the flour & pour in the oil. Toss around a little to coat as much as you can, then add the beaten eggs & vanilla.
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Now add in the buttermilk & mix to combine, then add the coffee/cocoa mix and stir or whisk gently until smooth.
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Pour the batter evenly between the 2 pans or into a single 9” pan. Tip. Allow the batter to sit for 10-30 minutes before placing in the oven. Allows for hydration of the flour while oven preheats.
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Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 (or 40-50 minutes for single pan). Test with a toothpick inserted in the center, it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs only.
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Allow to cool on a wire rack, in the pans, for about 15 minutes then transfer onto the rack.
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Spread frosting over the cold cakes or slice the large cake in 2 across the center & fill.
Simple Frosting
3/4 cup Cocoa powder (63 g)
1/4 cup milk, room temperature
1 cup unsalted butter, 227 g, room temperature
4 cups powdered sugar (450 g)
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
In a large bowl, using a hand-held mixer, cream the butter until smooth, about 1 minute. Add the vanilla. Sift the cocoa & powdered sugar together, add to the creamed butter and slowly add the milk, a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached. Mix on low for about 1-2 minutes to achieve a light & airy texture.
