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I decided to try something new today and post a recipe. We’ll see how it goes. This recipe was my great grandmother’s. I never met her, but I like this recipe because I pretty much always have the ingredients on hand. The cake itself doesn’t require eggs, milk, or butter (things I run out of frequently) and it’s a really good, moist chocolate cake. The frosting does include a little bit of butter and milk. Come on, who doesn’t like chocolate cake? I made this one for my husband’s birthday.
First, you want to preheat the oven to 350 degrees, and then prep your pan. I used a 9×13 glass pan and I greased it with shortening, but you could also use butter or oil, then dump some flour onto it. You will want to shake and tap the pan to spread the flour all over and cover all of the inside surfaces. This keeps the cake from sticking after it has been baked.
dump some flour into a greased cake pan
cake pan coated with flour
*You can use a different sized pan if you like. A good option would be two 9’ round pans. This will also reduce the baking time.
You will also want to get out half of a stick of butter and leave it on your counter. You will need room temperature butter to make the frosting later.
To start making the cake you will add the dry ingredients together. I’ve seen some recipes that have you add the wet first, but this one asks for dry. Add the flour, sugar, cocoa, salt, and soda. Mix these together in a bowl. I use my Kitchenaid stand mixer, but this recipe works just as well in a regular bowl, just make sure it is a large bowl!
Mix dry ingredients
After you’ve mixed the dry ingredients you will start to add the wet ingredients. Start with the oil, then move on to the vinegar, vanilla, and water. I know it seems like a lot of water to add, and it is. The water and oil are what make this cake so moist!
This is what the batter looks like after the wet ingredients have been added. It is very wet.
After you’ve added all of the wet ingredients mix them together well with an electric mixer or for several minutes by hand.
Pour the cake batter into your prepared 9×13’ pan. The original recipe says to bake for 25-30 minutes, but I found that it takes closer to 50 minutes to bake. Test the cake by inserting a toothpick into the center and when it comes out clean the cake is finished baking.
This is what the wet batter looks like in the cake pan
While the cake is baking you can make the frosting. If you’re using a Kitchenaid stand mixer wash out the bowl and paddle so that you can re-use them to make the frosting.
Add your half stick of room temperature butter to the bowl, then add cocoa powder and milk. Start mixing! I’ve never tried this by hand, so I would recommend using some kind of electric mixer, whether it is handheld or a stand mixer. A stand mixer is best though because even with a handheld mixer I think your hands will get tired. Add the powdered sugar last ½ cup at a time to keep it from flying everywhere!
Frosting
Then you just need to wait . . .
baked cake
When the cake is cool you can start frosting it. I found that using a spatula to spread the frosting tore the cake up a bit so I would recommend a butter knife instead.
Add sprinkles or other decorations as you like and enjoy this super moist and super yummy chocolate cake!
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Great Grandma’s Chocolate Cake
3 Cups Flour
2 Cups Sugar
5 Tablespoons Cocoa
1 Teaspoon Salt
2 Teaspoons Baking Soda
Mix above ingredients in a bowl, then add:
¾ cup Oil
2 Tablespoons Vinegar
2 Teaspoons Vanilla
3 Cups Water
Mix well with an electric mixer. Pour into 9.13’ greased pan. Bake 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes
Notes: You can use another size of pan if you like, such as 2 9’ round pans. This will affect baking time, so make sure you check on your cake. You will know it is finished baking when a clean toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
I also found that it takes closer to 50 minutes for the cake to bake in a 9×13’ pan.
Frosting:
¼ cup (half stick) of room temperature butter
¼ cup cocoa powder
¼ cup milk
2 ½ cups powdered sugar
Mix all of the ingredients together with an electric mixer and wait for the cake to cool before frosting.
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