Birthday Chocolate

Another February brings another birthday for my dad and I made him his customary double-decker chocolate cake. This year, instead of using a cake mix for his cake, I just went ahead and used the cake recipe on the back of the Hershey's Cocoa container. I've made it before, but I haven't put it on here for some reason. Anyway, I used the recipe for the Perfectly Chocolate Frosting, as well, which just so happens to be the same recipe as usual.



No matter how many chocolate cakes I try, this recipe is still my favorite. Kept covered at room temperature, it stays moist and perfect for almost a week, although it usually doesn't last that long in my house. This is just an excellent recipe for a straightforward chocolate-chocolate cake.



Hershey's Perfectly Chocolate Chocolate Cake
Makes about 12 servings

2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup HERSHEY'S 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

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.

Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pans.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost and serve.

Ooey Chewy Gooey

When my new issue of Bon Appetit came in, these glorious brownies were gracing the cover. So, of course, I had to make them.



And they were GLORIOUS indeed. Nutty, chewy, moist, delicate, dense, with a crispy crust on top. Oh man. These were the best.



There's nothing more to say. Why aren't you baking them yet? Do it.

Cocoa Brownies with Browned Butter and Walnuts
Makes 9 brownies

Nonstick vegetable oil spray
3/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 1/4 cups sugar
3/4 cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder (spooned into cup to measure, then leveled)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs, chilled
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon unbleached all-purpose flour
1 cup walnuts or pecans, chopped

Position rack in bottom third of oven; preheat to 325 degrees. Line 8 x 8 x 2-inch metal baking pan with foil, pressing foil firmly against pan sides and leaving 2-inch overhang. Coat foil with nonstick spray.

Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium heat. Continue cooking until butter stops foaming and browned bits form at bottom of pan, stirring often, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; immediately add sugar, cocoa, 2 teaspoons water, vanilla, and 1/4 teaspoon (generous) salt. Stir to blend.

Let cool 5 minutes (mixture will still be hot). Add eggs to hot mixture 1 at a time, beating vigorously to blend after each addition. When mixture looks thick and shiny, add flour and stir until blended. Beat vigorously 60 strokes. Stir in nuts. Transfer batter to prepared pan.

Bake brownies until toothpick inserted into center comes out almost clean (with a few moist crumbs attached), about 25 minutes. Cool in pan on rack. Using foil overhang, lift brownies from pan. Cut into 4 strips. Cut each strip crosswise into 4 brownies.