grandma's cookbook . . . The Best-Ever Chocolate Cake!

Don't you just love chocolate cake?!!! Aren't there days when chocolate cake is the best thing you could possibly eat? Well, I do love chocolate cake and there are days when chocolate cake most certainly does put a smile on my face! 

So, when I found the recipe I'm sharing with you today and tried it . . . well, I knew I had to share it with you because it is the best chocolate cake I've ever had! (I found the recipe in my Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book) If you have a special event coming up where a chocolate cake would be the perfect addition . . . or, if you would just like to brighten your family's - and your own - day, bake up this best-ever chocolate cake!
Ingredients -

• 2/3 cup butter, softened
• 3 eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups milk

Directions -

• Allow butter and eggs to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. 
• Lightly grease bottoms of three 8-inch round baking pans or two 8x8x2-inch square or 9x1-1/2-inch round cake pans. Line bottom of pans with waxed paper. Grease and lightly flour waxed paper and sides of pans. Or grease one 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Set pan(s) aside.
• In a mixing bowl, stir together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt - set aside
• In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Gradually add sugar, about 1/4 cup at a time, beating on medium speed until well combined (3 to 4 minutes). Scrape sides of bowl; continue beating on medium speed for 2 minutes. 
• Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition (about 1 minute total). Beat in vanilla.
• Alternately add flour mixture and milk to beaten mixture, beating on low speed just until combined after each addition
• Beat on medium to high speed for 20 second more
• Spread batter evenly into prepared pan
• Bake in a 350 degree oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean
• Cool thoroughly and frost as desired

I frosted with a simple glaze made from one cup of powdered sugar and milk - I added a tablespoon at a time until it was the consistency I wanted - I also added some chocolate syrup to the glaze.

This cake is completely enjoyable . . . your grands will enjoy helping you make it and eat it for sure! Enjoy! :^)