My son turned 12! Good grief, where did the time go?
The “I Want Chocolate Cake” Cake – adapted from Smitten Kitchenย
Cake
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 3/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 large egg 1 large egg yolk
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup Dutch cocoa powder
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon table or fine sea salt
Frosting
- 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
- melted and cooled
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- Pinch of fine sea salt (optional)
- 1 tablespoons cream or whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions –
Make the cake: Heat oven to 350ยฐF. Line the bottom of an 8-inch square cake pan with parchment paper, and either butter the parchment and exposed sides of the pan, or spray the interior with a nonstick spray.
In a large bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to beat the butter and sugars until fluffy; scrape down bowl. Add the egg, yolk and vanilla and beat until combined, then the buttermilk and mix again. Scrape the bowl down well and donโt worry if the batter looks uneven. Place your flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a sifter (I find this step necessary because my cocoa is very lumpy) and shake it over the batter bowl. Stir on low until just combined; scrape down bowl a final time. Scoop batter into prepared pan and smooth flat.
Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool for 5 to 10 minutes in cake pan on cooling rack, then flip out onto rack or serving plate to completely finish cooling before frosting.
Make the frosting: Place frosting ingredients in a food processor and run machine to to mix. Scrape down bowl then process for another 1 to 2 minutes, until smooth and somewhat fluffed. Scoop the frosting onto the cooled chocolate cake and swirl it around. Cake keeps at room temperature for a day or two, or in the fridge up to a week,.