Best Ever Chocolate Cake

Now friends you might not know it yet, but trust me when I say; there are three essentials in life, chocolate, cheese, and coffee. Not necessarily in that order, but each as equally important as the other. And you should have each of these essentials on regular basis; everyday that is. Today's tasty recipe incorporates chocolate and coffee in a very tasty way. I love this recipe from My Baking Addiction. I have made it many times and it always gets rave reviews. This time around I omitted the black cocoa powder because I didn't have any and the Arizona heat was just to hot for me to make a trip to William-Sonoma to purchase some. But if you can, do use it because it lends a nice depth of flavor and makes the cake rich and dark. For the coffee I have always used what I have on hand. So whatever you have on hand should work fine, just make it good and strong.

So let's make the best chocolate cake ever! 

Here's what you need~

2 cups sugar

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tablespoons King Arthur Flour Black Cocoa, optional

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon kosher salt

2 eggs

1 cup buttermilk*

1 cup strong black coffee 

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 teaspoons pure vanilla

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans or one 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Set these aside. Fit your stand mixer with the whisk attachment, or in a large bowl with an electric beater, combine the dry ingredients; mixing on low speed till they are thoroughly combined.

Now add the eggs, buttermilk, coffee, oil, vanilla, and beat on medium speed for about two minutes.

The batter is going to be thin. Pour it evenly into the prepared pans.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes if you are using the round pans, 35 to 40 minutes for rectangular pan or until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool the cakes for 10 minutes and then remove from pans to wire racks, and cool completely.

Frost them however you like. I love to use a chocolate buttercream. One batch is plenty for this layered chocolate cake.

* if you don't have buttermilk you can add a teaspoon of white vinegar to a cup of whole milk. Stir and let sit a few minutes before adding. 

http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/the-best-chocolate-cake-recipe/

Parisian Hot Chocolate

The perfect way to end a lovely Fall evening is with a cup of Parisian Hot Chocolate. Go ahead a try it. You will not be disappointed. Seriously it is some of the best tasting hot chocolate you will ever indulge in. I promise it is so very decadent and rich, but so very easy to make. 

Here is all you need to enjoy a delicious cup of hot chocolate Parisian style~~~

Heat the milk and cream in a heavy bottomed saucepan over a medium heat until it almost boils. Remove from the heat and add the brown sugar and chocolate and whisk until all of the chocolate is melted and the sugar has dissolved. Use a frothier or an imulsion blender to get the hot chocolate frothy. Sprinkle each serving with a few grains of sea salt. Enjoy with an oat biscuit or croissant.

*For a richer taste let the chocolate sit for a few hours, reheat and enjoy.