chocolate cake is as fun to make as it is to eat! You will need 1 tbsp. butter 2 c.

granulated sugar 1 3/4 c. all-purpose flour plus extra for dusting 3/4 c. cocoa powder

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. salt 2 large eggs 1 c. reduced-fat

milk 1/2 c. vegetable oil 2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 c. hot water or hot coffee Two nine-inch

round baking pans A large mixing bowl A wooden spoon A hand mixer A toothpick fork or knife

and a cooling rack. Step 1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease the two

baking pans with butter, and lightly dust the pans with flour. Set aside. Step 2. In

the mixing bowl, stir together the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda,

and salt with the wooden spoon until they're well combined. Step 3. Crack the eggs into

the mixture and add the milk and oil. Beat on medium speed for one to two minutes until

smooth. Step 4. Add the vanilla to the chocolate batter and beat on slow speed for one minute.

Pour the hot water into the mixture and mix thoroughly with a wooden spoon. Step 5. Pour

the batter evenly into the prepared pans for 30 to 35 minutes until the center is slightly

firm. Step 6. Because baking times vary slightly depending on ovens and elevations, do the

toothpick test: Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake; when it comes up clean,

without any batter or crumbs sticking to it, the cake is done. If you don't have a toothpick,

use a fork or knife instead. Step 7. Place the cake pans on a cooling rack and let them

cool for 15 to 20 minutes. Invert the pans onto the rack and let the cake cool completely,

about two hours. Put the layers on a cake stand or plate before frosting or serving.

Enjoy! Did you know The first chocolate cake was baked in 1674 and is thought to be the

reason people began eating more chocolate.