The Better Simple Chocolate Cake

For every non-baker out there, this is for you. A cake that requires no serious skill or effort and no leveling or frosting. Really, this is as simple as cake gets folks, so you have no excuse for those store bought atrocities that pass as dessert. 

If you have managed to stick to your healthy new year's resolution, I'm afraid that ends now. Please put down that carrot and or celery that you are sadly gnawing on. Chocolate cake may not be healthy per se, but you'll be in a great mental state once you take a bite. 

 

I am in LOVE with this recipe because I have never been a big frosting lover and the clean up that comes with decorating a traditional cake is never fun. Like seriously, who wants to deal with a sink full of dishes when they have a chocolate cake waiting to be eaten?

 

Again I was struck with the desire to bake at 3 o'clock in the morning while everyone in the house had gone to bed. I have such a great mother; she doesn't mind (too much) when she wakes up to a sink with my dishes. With a glass of milk, this made a perfect treat as I watched The Hunger Games before the sun came up. 

If you can be bothered to put in the extra leg work, a sprinkle of powdered sugar and a dollop of fresh whipped cream add a special touch.

*adapted from Smitten Kitchen 

RECIPE

INGREDIENTS

½ cup (1 stick or 4 oz) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup (6½ oz) firmly packed dark brown sugar
½ cup (4 ounces) granulated sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ cups (6¾ oz) all-purpose flour
¾ cup (2⅝ oz) Hershey's special dark cocoa powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS

1. Beat butter and sugars together until fluffy

2. Add in egg, vanilla, and buttermilk (batter will look curdled)

3. Sift in dry ingredients and mix until just combined (DO NOT OVERMIX) making sure to scrape down sides of bowl

4. Grease a 9x5x3 inch loaf pan and pour in batter

5. Bake in 325℉ oven for 65 minutes (or until cake passes toothpick test)