When it comes to birthday cake, I constantly find myself debating between lemon, chocolate, and coconut. Really, it is just too hard! In the end, chocolate wins 80% of the time, as it is rich, scrumptious, and very seductive.
It turns out that I am not alone! Not long ago, when my dear friend S wanted to make (for the first time) a birthday cake to surprise her boyfriend B, she opted for CHOCOLATE (black forest to be exact).
We had a practice run at my loft a week before the actual birthday (S is the best girlfriend one can have!), and since it was meant to be a surprise (and ok, I have been a bit lazy these days), here comes the delayed post.
S has spent quite some time doing research online, and in the end, we sort of merged two highly reviewed recipes (I and II) , and made a delicious two 9-inch rounds of cake.
It turns out that I am not alone! Not long ago, when my dear friend S wanted to make (for the first time) a birthday cake to surprise her boyfriend B, she opted for CHOCOLATE (black forest to be exact).
We had a practice run at my loft a week before the actual birthday (S is the best girlfriend one can have!), and since it was meant to be a surprise (and ok, I have been a bit lazy these days), here comes the delayed post.
Secret Chocolate Birthday Cake
serves 16-24
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1 1/2 cups white sugar
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
- 3 medium eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup kirsch (optional but STRONGLY recommended)
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
- In a large bowl, combine melted butter, sugar, vanilla extract, eggs, and milk together. Mix well.
- In a separate bowl, sift in the dry ingredients. Make a well in a center, and pour in wet ingredients. Mix until the batter becomes smooth.
- Divide the batter among two 9-inch cake pan (lined with parchment paper) and bake for about 35 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool for 10 minutes, and pour the kirsch over the cake!
I had to say, it was difficult not to open the oven during baking as they smelled so good and chocolaty! What makes it better was the liquor-soaked-melt-in-your-mouth bite!
It will certainly sing a beautiful melody with this frosting.
One last look at our masterpiece. It surely deserves the numerous high-fives we gave each other (in secret, of course) ;P
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