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Learning to Bake - My First Recipe

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Learn to Bake with Chocolate Cake

I learned to bake when I was about 14 years old. My mother baked, and we had lots of cookbooks at home for inspiration. (This cake is vegan but the frosting is not.)

When I was little, my sisters and I used to be the cookie decorators. My mother would bake cut-out sugar cookies for Christmas. After they were cool, she would spread butter cream icing on them. Our job was to decorate them with colored sprinkles.

Chocolate cake has always been my favorite, so when my turn to bake came, I found a simple-looking recipe. It is simple and I didn't know then what a good choice it would be. In some cookbooks, it is called Cockeyed Cake. You don't even have to use a bowl to mix it up. You can make the batter in the same pan you bake it in.

I still make this cake, more than 40 years later, as well as the chocolate frosting that I found in another cookbook. It has been a good match.

Baking leads to cooking, but that's a story for another day.

Great for Carry-In Suppers and Parties

I think baking is a good place to start for a young person, to learn their way around a kitchen. It teaches that exact measurements are often important (as they are with baked goods such as cakes and cookies). If you follow the instructions, you can come out with something tasty, and that will inspire more experiments with cakes, cookies, brownies or whatever treats are tempting.

White dinnerware: Brocade by Style House, a vintage dinnerware. Red glass creamer and sugar: Cherry Thumbprint by Mosser, currently manufactured.

Bestsellers to Help You Bake Up a Storm

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Easy Chocolate Cake Recipe

A Family Favorite for 40 Years

Serves: 9
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

For a larger crowd, just double the recipe and use a 13x9 pan. When you double, bake for a bit longer, 30-35 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean.

Ingredients

1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
3 T. cocoa powder
1 t. baking soda
1 cup white sugar
5 T. vegetable oil
1 T. white vinegar
1 t. real vanilla extract
1 cup cold water

Instructions

Spray a 9x9 cake pan with baking spray and set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix the dry ingredients in one bowl. You can also mix them directly in the pan.

Mix the wet ingredients and add to the dry. Be sure to mix enough so that all the flour and other dry ingredients are fully incorporated, but do not over mix.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes, or until tester comes out clean. Place the pan on a rack to cool. Meanwhile, make the frosting.

Printable Version

Smooth Chocolate Frosting

Stays Shiny and Soft

Serves: 9
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

If you double the chocolate cake recipe, double this one, too!

Ingredients

½ cup white sugar
1 ½ T. cornstarch
1 oz. unsweetened baking chocolate (grated or chopped)
½ cup boiling water
Dash of salt
1 ½ T. butter
½ t. vanilla extract

Instructions

Mix the sugar, cornstarch and dash of salt in a small bowl, set aside.

Boil water in a kettle. Meanwhile, melt chocolate in a heavy-bottom pan over low heat, or use a double boiler.

When chocolate is melted, add sugar mixture and boiling water. Cook until mixture starts to thicken.

Remove from heat and add butter and vanilla. Stir until butter is melted and all is well mixed. Spread on cake while still warm.

Printable Version

Favorite Cake Flavors

So Many Tasty Choices

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One Good Pumpkin Cake, Too!

Warm Cinnamon With Coconut

Recipe by a fellow RocketMom, Fitzcharming. I've made this cake, and it's a hit! Easy to take in a 9x9 pan with sliding top, like the vintage Mirro one I have, or your favorite. This cake recipe can easily be doubled as well, and baked in a 13x9 pan. Or...make it in layers, like Fitzcharming does!

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A Diary by a Dish Lover

That's My Blog

My blog, at Diary of a Dishie, has lots of information about dinnerware, glassware and related items. I also feature tips on table setting for special events, mixing and matching your china and tableware.

Getting ready for a holiday gathering, Christmas, Mother's Day, Easter or any other event? I invite you to visit and see what we have to share to make your party more meaningful and memorable for everyone.

Dinnerware is Fun

Use Special Dishes When You Eat Your Special Treats

I still use this dinnerware by Corelle.

How Do You Like Your Cake?

Thanks for Stopping By!

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RenaissanceWoman2010 Oct 23, 2011 @ 8:03 pm | delete

I've been hungry for my mom's best chocolate cake recipe. I need to give her a call and get that recipe to share. Thanks for your recipe. It sure looks like a winner.

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mbrownauthor Oct 20, 2011 @ 5:05 pm | delete

I love plain ole yellow cake with chocolate frosting, but will occasionally crave chocolate cake or another flavor such as cherry, orange or lemon.

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Waxing-Lyrical Oct 20, 2011 @ 3:30 pm | delete

Love chocolate cake and this one looks like one that even I could make!

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OhMe Oct 20, 2011 @ 2:20 pm | delete

Chocolate cake with chocolate icing is my all time favorite and after seeing these pictures, I want some right now with a big glass of cold milk. Yummmmmmmmy

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Kimbesa Oct 20, 2011 @ 2:31 pm | delete

I can just about make this in my sleep. Easy to make, you get your chocolate fix, and everyone loves it! Thanks for stopping by!