Black Magic Cake

     For those of you who have never baked a cake from scratch, this recipe from Hershey's is the one for you.  Mix the dry ingredients together, add the rest, then beat for 2 minutes.  What could be simpler?  Bake this in your 12 inch oven with 12 coals in a ring around the bottom and 20-22 on top and be sure to rotate the lid halfway.  This moist, dark cake is rich like a brownie and the coffee only serves to heighten the chocolaty flavor.  For now on this will be my go to chocolate cake recipe.  Your friends will think you have been baking for years when you serve them a slice of this rich, outstanding dessert and like magic, it will quickly disappear.

Black Magic Cake
2 cups sugar
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk or sour milk*
1 cup strong black coffee OR 2 teaspoons powdered instant coffee plus 1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* To sour milk: Use 1 tablespoon white vinegar plus milk to equal 1 cup.

     Lightly oil or spray 12 inch dutch oven.  Line with parchment paper.
     Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt in large bowl.  Add eggs, buttermilk, coffee, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes (Batter will be thin).  Pour batter evenly into prepared dutch oven.
     Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool for 10 minutes before removing from dutch oven.  Cool completely.  Frost as desired.

Mix in one bowl, batter will be thin

Done in 30 minutes

Finish with your favorite frosting

You know you want a piece