Classic Chocolate Cake

There are times when cake makes the world go round. This was one of those times when I had to have something chocolate; so, I made a homemade classic chocolate cake with homemade frosting for me and my daughters. My husband was out of town working (he is the one who doesn't like lots of chocolate so I made this when he was gone) but it is so easy to make a scratch cake (despite what some people may think). It does take an extra few minutes of prep time and bake time, but it yields a much yummier cake than a cake mix. It is a little more dense than cake mix, but pair it with a really good frosting, and there is nothing like homemade cake. So grab a glass of milk to wash it down and get ready to make some Classic Chocolate Cake!

Classic Chocolate Cake

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup shortening
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a bowl, combine the dry ingredients along with 1 tsp of salt. Add milk, vanilla, shortening and beat with electric mixer on low speed until combined. Add egg and beat for 2 minutes on medium speed. Grease and flour 2 cake pans. Add cake batter to pans. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes in pans. Invert pans and let cake completely cool on wire racks. Frost with your favorite frosting.

Oops, forgot to photograph cake before cutting a piece out, oh well.

Decadent Chocolate Fudge Frosting

4 3/4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup boiling water
1 tsp vanilla

Mix dry ingredients. Add butter, boiling water, and vanilla. Beat on low speed until combined. Beat for 1 minute more on medium speed. Cool 20-30 minutes or till of spreading consistency. Frosts tops and sides of two 8 or 9 inch cake layers.

Tips:
- You can add chocolate chips, or other mix ins to the cake batter to make a little more decadent cake. Mix in ideas could be dried cranberries, coconut, dried cherries, chocolate chips or chunks, peanut butter chips.