The BEST Chocolate Cake... EVER!!!!

Hello...Hello out there. Is anyone out there? I'm not surprised if no one is reading this. I've been out of commission for about two weeks. All I can say is next year... flu shot!

Now, on to Tempt My Tummy Tuesday! My sister, Lisa, and I co-host this blog carnival. We share recipes, kitchen and cooking tips, restaurant reviews, and anything food related that you want to share. You know the rule of a blog carnival, please mention the blog or TMTT in your post and link back to us. Don't forget to use Mr. Linky, he lives at Lisa's blog.

This week I'm sharing the BEST CHOCOLATE CAKE recipe I have ever eaten, and I guess that says a lot if you know ANYTHING about me.

I have made this 3 times in the past 6 weeks. It was given to me by our church hostess. We were providing a meal to be served after a funeral and instead of everyone bringing different "pot luck" dishes she passed around the recipes she wanted so it was all the same. BRILLIANT! It took away all the "standing at the table guessing, holding up the line of mourners behind you." So we had 15 of these awesome chocolate cakes and that way, everyone got a slice. We were trying to feed 400 people... so this was a wonderful idea.

After making this and taking it to church I had to promise to make one for my family the next weekend as they drooled over it as I walked out of the house with it. This was an immediate hit with my daughter and hubby. Then we had house guests a few weeks later, so... I HAD to make it again. So sad really... I think I'm an addict! I have to promise not to make it again for awhile... or maybe I need to plan a party to have an excuse to make it!

The Best Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

2 cups all purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon (it says it is optional... but I think it is ESSENTIAL)

2 sticks butter
1 cup water
4 Tbsp. cocoa powder

1/2 cup buttermilk
1tsp baking soda

2 eggs beaten
1 tsp vanilla

Sift together the first 4 dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.

In a small sauce pan bring to boil the butter, water and cocoa powder. Add this mixture to the dry ingredients in the large bowl.

Mix the buttermilk and baking soda in a small bowl. Set to the side for 3-4 minutes. Milk will double in size.

Add the eggs, vanilla and buttermilk mixture in with all the ingredients.

Pour into a 9x13 greased and floured pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until done. If using a glass pan, reduce temp. by 15 degrees. Let cake cool for 20 minutes before icing.

Chocolate Icing

1 stick butter melted
4 Tbsp cocoa powder
4 Tbsp milk
1 lb. box Confectioners sugar (powdered sugar)
1 tsp vanilla

Melt together the butter, cocoa and milk. Gradually add 1 box of powdered sugar and blend. You may want to use a mixer for this but I usually just keep mixing by hand. You may need to add VERY small amount of milk to smooth out the consistency.
Add the vanilla at the end.

You will love this cake and honestly it is so easy to make!

photo by tofuttibreak on flikr.