Fast Weekday Chocolate and Coffee Cake
This recipe combines three things that make a delicious chocolate cake: Cocoa, coffee and hot water. Confused? Please read on!
In the interest of figuring out how to quickly make a delicious chocolate cake from scratch, I recently figured out this simple little gem. Please give it a try and let me know what you think!
Ingredients:
Wet
1/3 cup cocoa
3/4 cup hot coffee (or just hot water)
1/3 cup oil
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
Dry
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
Directions:
Make 3/4 cup of coffee , or just use boiling water and instant coffee, or just hot water.
In a mixing bowl, add the coffee to the cocoa and mix well with a whisk or electric mixer (a 30-count will suffice).
Add the oil, mix, then add the sugar, and mix, then the eggs, salt and vanilla, and mix it well (60 count).
In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking soda and baking powder together.
Add the dry ingredients the wet ingredients, mixing as they are combined. Whisk it all vigorously for a 60 count.
Pour into greased or wax-paper-lined 9x9 pan.
Bake in oven for 30 minutes at 355F (middle-rack position).
Remove from oven - do toothpick test, and let cool in pan for at least 1 hour.
Remove from pan when cooled, and ice if that is desired1.
Why this works:
Cocoa dissolves more readily in hot water than in cold - not only because most solids dissolve better in hot water - but also because cocoa also has some amount fat, which does not readily combine with cold water. By using the hot water, the cocoa combines better with the other ingredients. It is also the case that hot water, when combined with flour, tends to result in cakes that are more moist. The coffee simply adds complexity of flavor. Just use hot water if you can’t be bothered to make coffee - it’s still a great cake regardless. That said - my wife and daughter hate coffee - but they love this cake! Please give it a try and let me know what you think!
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Here’s a simple icing recipe for this cake: 2 tbsp butter, 2 tbsp milk, 1/4 cup cocoa, 1 cup icing sugar, 1 tsp vanilla. Mix it all together. If it seems a bit wet - just let it sit for a little while - it will thicken. I usually mix it when the cake goes in the oven, put it in a container, and leave it in the fridge until it’s time to ice the cake.