My man has simple tastes. Luckily for me, he doesn't request Giada's Chocolate-Strawberry Panini or Nigella's Caramel Croissant Pudding when I ask him what he might like for me to make for him for Father's Day.
Just a simple chocolate cake will do.
His mother's is the best either of us have ever come across, and I am happy to share the recipe with you.
Behold, Kyle's favorite chocolate cake:
CAKE
1 cup butter
4 Tblsp. dry cocoa (for a nutrient-packed option, try this!)
1 cup water
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. baking soda
2 beaten eggs
1 tsp. vanilla (Mexican vanilla is the BEST if you can find it!)
In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add cocoa and water and bring to a boil. (can also be done in microwave by melting butter 30 seconds, adding cocoa and water, and heating in microwave until it begins to boil)
Cool slightly and transfer to a large bowl. Add sugar and flour and beat well with mixer.
Add buttermilk, baking soda, eggs, and vanilla. Mix well with mixer.
Pour into sprayed baking pan. (9 x 13) Bake 20 minutes at 425 degrees. (some ovens, only 400 degrees) While cake is baking, make the frosting below:
FROSTING
1/2 cup melted butter
3 to 4 Tblsp. cocoa
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 box powdered sugar (at least 1 1/2 c. or to taste)
Combine ingredients. Beat well. Spread on cake just as soon as it's out of the oven. Cover with foil immediately. (The original frosting recipe is double this, but it is just too much frosting for us.) This frosting will be very thick. You just kind of dot it over the hot cake, wait for it to melt a bit, and then spread it over the top. It soaks into the cake and makes a delicious part-frosting, part-glaze!
OR
This is another favorite that she likes to use on the cake sometimes instead of frosting:
CHOCOLATE GLAZE
2 Tblsp. melted butter
2 Tblsp. cocoa
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup or less heavy cream
Commence with celebrating!
