Eat More Cake!

It's my birthday today!  If you know me, you know I totally struggle with putting the "!" at the end of that sentence.  But this year I have vowed to enjoy my birthday and I am happy to say...mission accomplished.

I want to share with you my very favorite cake recipe, introduced to me by my very favorite Becca several years ago.  It is my go to birthday cake recipe.  The recipe makes enough for 3 round 9 inch cakes, one big cake mold of some goofy character, or like a zillion cupcakes.  It is always moist, always crowd pleasing, and always easy-just one bowl. I use this frosting recipe.

{happy birthday to me!}

One Bowl Chocolate Cake

recipe from Martha Stewart Baby

Unsalted butter, for pans

1 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder, plus more for pans

3 cups all-purpose flour

3 cups sugar

1 tablespoon baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

3 large eggs

1 1/2 cups warm water

1 1/2 cups buttermilk

3/4 cup vegetable oil

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Directions

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter round or square cake pans, and line bottoms with parchment; butter parchment, and dust with cocoa.

2.Into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, sift cocoa, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. With the mixer on low, stir in eggs, 1 1/2 cups warm water, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla until smooth, about 3 minutes.

3.Divide batter among prepared pans. Bake, rotating once, until tester inserted in center comes out clean, 35 to 45 minutes for 8-inch layers, depending on amount of batter.

4.Let cakes cool in pans on a wire rack for 20 minutes, then remove from pans and cool completely, right side up on rack.