Easy Cake Recipes
There are times when a last-minute cake is needed. Perhaps, you are new at baking and want to start with a simple recipe. Here are some suggestions that include the best chocolate cake ever.
Simple Pound Cake
Makes 2 cakes
Ingredients:
2 cups of all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons of coarse salt
4 1/2 sticks softened unsalted butter
8 oz. of sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
9 large eggs at room temperature
Directions
1. Set the oven to 325F.
2. Coat the inside of two 5×9 loaf pans with butter.
3. Blend flour and salt in a bowl.
4. Using a mixer, cream the butter and sugar until it is fluffy. About 8 minutes.
5. Using a spatula, scrape the sides of the bowl.
6. Put mixer speed on medium and add the vanilla.
7. In a separate bowl, lightly beat the eggs.
8. Add 1/4 of the eggs to the sugar mixture, mix thoroughly, and repeat 3 times until all of the eggs have been used scraping the sides each time.
9. Place mixer speed on low, then slowly add flour in 4 parts, lightly blending between additions.
10. Divide batter into loaf pans. Tap each on the counter to level batter.
11. Bake until a tester comes out clean from the center of the cake, about 65 minutes.
12. Let set on racks in pan about 10 minutes, remove pans and continue to cool completely.
Serving Tip: Great with a topping of fruit, chocolate syrup, or your favorite flavored ice cream.
The Best Chocolate Cake Souffle Style
Ingredients:
3/4 pound of dark chocolate, chopped
8 tablespoons softened unsalted butter
5 oz cocoa powder
5 large eggs
4 oz sugar
A pinch of salt
Whipped cream or powdered sugar as a topping
Directions:
1. Set oven to 350F
2. Using a 9″ cake pan or spring pan, butter, then dust inside with cocoa powder.
3. Gently melt the chopped chocolate with the butter in a double boiler or a short burst in the microwave.
4. Set aside to cool.
5. Using a mixing bowl, separate the yolks from the egg whites.
6. With a whisk, blend the egg yolks into the butter-chocolate mixture.
7. Blend in the cocoa powder into the mixture.
8. Using a mixer on medium speed, blend the egg whites with the salt until frothy.
9. Slowly add the sugar while whipping the whites until they reach a medium-firm peak.
10. Using a rubber spatula, slowly fold about a third of the white mixture into the chocolate. Once blended, slowly fold in the rest of the white mixture.
11. Add the batter into the prepared baking pan.
12. Bake for about 40 minutes, checking for the sides to be set but still soft in the center.
13. Remove from the oven and let sit for an hour.
14. Chill for 4 hours before removing from pan.
15. Serve with whipped cream or powdered sugar as a topping.
