For the cake you will need:3 cups of flour
2 cups of sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 cups hot water
3/4 cup oil (use what you want. I love organic extra virgin olive oil)
2 tbsp. vinegar
1Tbsp instant espresso
1 tbsp vanilla
Preheat oven to 350 and prepare your baking dish. For this I used 2 9 inch square pans.
To prepare spray with oil or coat with butter.
****tip time*** For a chocolate cake dust the pan with cocoa powder to help with sticking.
In a large bowl together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt.

In a glass measuring cup combine water, oil, vinegar, espresso and vanilla.

Add to the dry ingredients and mix. Lumps are ok. **tip time** Over mixing cake batter will make a tough cake.

Add cake batter to pans and pack for 35 mins. Check with a toothpick. If it comes out clean it's done. Let the cakes cool and then.........


The best chocolate frosting ever!!!!

You will need:
1 stick of unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/4 unsweetened cocoa powder
pinch of salt
1 1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tsp. instant espresso
2 tsp. vanilla

Melt butter in a large saucepan.

While that is melting combine heavy cream, sour cream and espresso in a large measuring cup. Mix until smooth.

Mix in sugar, cocoa and salt. It's going to be thick!!!

Slowly add cream mixture to chocolate until smooth. Cook until the sugar has dissolved. Do not boil.

Remove from heat and add vanilla. Let icing cool. I like to put it in another bowl for that.

Ice your cake and enter chocolate bliss.