NEEDFUL THINGS

CAKES & MUFFINS

 

Source: Cuisine at Home


Makes 12 servings.


Preparation time: 1 hour 30 minutes


Tips: Cut recipe in half  for a small 6-7 inch round layer cake.

Ingredients

Preparation

CAKE:

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups hot water

3/4 cup vegetable oil

2 Tablespoons distilled white vinegar

1 Tablespoon instant coffee granules

1 Tablespoon vanilla extract

CAKE:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F degrees with rack in center.

2. Grease and line with parchment paper two 8x2 inches round cake pans.

  1. 3.Whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl.

  2. 4.Combine water, oil, vinegar, instant coffee, and vanilla in a large measuring cup. Add to the dry ingredients and whisk just until combined., a few lumps are ok.

  3. 5.5. Divide batter between pans, then bake until a toothpick comes out clean, 35-40 minutes.

  4. 6.Cool cakes on a rack for 15 minutes, then invert them onto the rack.



ICING:

  1. 1.Melt butter in a large heavy saucepan over medium heat.

  2. 2.Stir in sugar, cocoa and salt. Mixture will be thick and grainy.

  3. 3.Reserving 1/8 cup of heavy cream, combine heavy cream, sour cream and instant coffee in a large measuring cup, mixing until smooth.

  4. 4.Gradually add cream mixture to the chocolate until blended and smooth. Cook until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is smooth and hot to the touch 6-8 minutes. Do not boil.

  5. 5.Off heat, add vanilla. Cool icing at room temperature until spreadable, 2-3 hours. Icing may be chilled until completely cold, them warmed gently in microwave until spreadable . Heat at high power in 20 seconds intervals, stirring well after each interval. At this point, you may decide to add the reserved 1/8 cup cream or not, depending if the icing appears well set or too runny.

NOTES : Top photo shows 1/2 recipe  6” double layer cake.

        
    Cakes & Muffins  
    
 

  Chocolate Cake

Old Fashion

GLOSSY CHOCOLATE ICING:

1 stick unsalted butter (8 Tablespoons)

1 1/2 cup sugar

1 1/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder

Pinch of salt

1 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream *

1/4 cup sour cream

1 teaspoon instant coffee granules

2 teaspoons vanilla extract


  1. *hold about 1/8 cup to control consistency:

  2. *too runny or too dry.