Guest Post: In Stephanie's Kitchen

Because a dreamy chocolate cake recipe is exactly what we need to complement all those lose-weight resolutions...

Deep Dark Chocolate Cake 
by Stephanie Kehr

- Ingredients - 

2 cups of sugar
1 3/4 cups of flour
3/4 cup cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water
buttercream frosting (see recipe below)

- Instructions -

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans or one 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan.

2. In large mixer bowl, stir together sugar, flour , cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of electric mixer 2 minutes.

3. Remove from mixer; stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pans.

4. Bake 30 to 35 minutes for round pans, 35 to 40 minutes for rectangular pan, or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

5. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. (Cake may be left in rectangular pan, if desired.) Frost with homemade buttercream frosting.

Buttercream Frosting 

- Ingredients - 

6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened.
2 2/3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup of cocoa
1/3 cup of milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

- Instructions -

In small mixer bowl, beat butter. Add powdered sugar and cocoa alternately with milk; beat to spreading consistency (additional milk may be needed). Blend in vanilla.