HersheysCakeMrs. Chowbelly loves chocolate cake and during a moment of inspiration a few weeks after she gave birth to BabyBelly-Ellie I wanted to make her a tasty treat. Those of you that know me know that baking isnt my thing. I have Attention-Deficit-Disorder way too bad to pay attention to the exacting measurements and precision that baking requires. So whenever I do bake, it’s a labor of love and requires immense concentration – glad you liked it Honey!

I discovered this recipe in a Hershey’s Best-loved Recipes cookbook that my friend, Dawn, gave me for Christmas a few years ago. Take a look and try it yourself!!

Ingredients
2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cups flour
3/4 cup HERSHEY’S Cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water

Directions
1. Heat oven to 350-degrees. Spray 9×13 pan with floured baking spray or grease and flour.
2. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Combine eggs, milk, oil and vanilla in a separate smaller bowl. Add these liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients in the larger bowl and mix together until combined. Slowly add water while beating with an electric mixer – the batter will be very thin. Pour batter into 9×13 pan.
3. Bake 35 to 40 minutes – check doneness by inserting a wooding toothpick near the center of the cake. If it comes out clean the cake is cooked completely through. If it comes out with some batter clinging to it, cook for a few more minutes.
4. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then remove and transfer to wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
5. Prepare chocolate frosting below or substitute your own favorite.

“Perfectly Chocolate” Chocolate Frosting
Ingredients
1/2 cup butter
2/3 cup HERSHEY’S Cocoa
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
1. Melt butter. Stir in cocoa. Alternate adding powdered sugar and mild while mixing with an electric mixer. Continue beating to desired consistency.
2. Stir in vanilla. Add a small amount of additional milk if necessary to thin the consistency.

I added mini chocolate chips and some chocolate syrup for an extra special touch! Other ideas to dress it up a bit might be adding toasted coconut, colorful sprinkles, chopped pecans or even a light dusting of powdered sugar!

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