Basic Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Frosting

With just a little more effort than it takes to make a cake with a mix, you can make a homemade cake that has great texture and tastes better.

Recipe Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/3 cups water

Chocolate Frosting:
6 tablespoons butter, softened
2 2/3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans, or one 13x9x2-inch baking pan.
2. For Cake: In a medium bowl, mix together flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt and baking powder; set aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla in large bowl and beat on high speed of mixer 3 minutes.
4. Alternatively add flour mixture with water to butter mixture, beating until well blended. Pour batter into prepared pan(s).
5. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely.
6. For Chocolate Frosting: Beat butter in medium bowl. Add powdered sugar and cocoa alternately with milk, beating to spreading consistency (additional milk may be needed, 1 teaspoon at a time until desired consistency).
7. Frost cooled cake.

Makes 12 servings.

Directions For Cupcakes: Fill paper-lined medium-sized muffin cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20 to 25 minutes; cool completely and frost. Makes 30 cupcakes.