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chocolate cupcakes
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5 from 1 vote

Chocolate Cake

This is simply the best chocolate cake recipe... EVER!  Moist and delicious every time.  It's fool-proof.
Course: Dessert
Keyword: cake, chocolate, recipe
Servings: 30 cupcakes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup cocoa powder (100% dutched cocoa)
  • 1 3/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1 3/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp espresso powder (optional)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup boiling water

Instructions

  • Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans (cupcakes and sheet cake variations listed below).
  • Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. 
  • Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). 
  • Pour batter into prepared pans.  Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely.
    chocolate cupcakes

Variations

  • ONE-PAN CAKE: Grease and flour 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Heat oven to 350° F. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely. Frost.
  • THREE LAYER CAKE: Grease and flour three 8-inch round baking pans. Heat oven to 350°F. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost.
  • BUNDT CAKE: Grease and flour 12-cup Bundt pan. Heat oven to 350°F. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 50 to 55 minutes. Cool 15 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack. Cool completely. Frost.
  • CUPCAKES: Line muffin cups (2-1/2 inches in diameter) with paper bake cups. Heat oven to 350°F. Fill cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake 18 to 22 minutes. Cool completely. Frost. About 30 cupcakes.
    chocolate cupcakes

Notes

The espresso powder is optional.  You could alternatively use brewed coffee in place of the boiling water.  The coffee/espresso enhances the chocolate flavor.  You don't really taste the coffee, but it makes the cake even more chocolaty.