Best From Scratch Basic Yellow Cake with Chocolate Frosting
Makes a three layer, 9-inch frosted cake
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (do not sift the flour)
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1-teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups whole milk
4 teaspoons Vegetable oil
1 stick (1/4 lb - 8 Tablespoons) butter (not margarine), softened to room temperature
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
3 large eggs
Preheat oven to 350° degrees F.
Cut wax paper to fit the bottom of (3) 9 x 1 1/2-inch round pans. Spray the pans with cooking spray, place the wax paper in the pans and spray the paper.
In a large mixing bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt, mixing well.
Measure the 1-1/4 cups of milk in a 2 cup measuring cup….then add enough vegetable oil (4 teaspoons) to bring the liquid up to 1-1/3 cups.
Add the milk/vegetable oil mixture, butter and vanilla to the flour mixture and beat with an electric mixer on medium to medium-high speed for 2 minutes, scraping sides of bowl as needed.
Add the eggs and continue beating an additional 2 minutes. Pour batter into prepared pans.
Bake at 350° for 20 to 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted near center of cake comes out clean, or until cake springs back when touched lightly in the center. (For Cupcakes bake 18 to 20 minutes.)
Cool cakes on wire racks for 15 minutes; remove from pans and cool completely.
Cooked Chocolate Frosting
Mix together in a large microwave save bowl:
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup + 2 Tablespoons cornstarch; packed
7 Tablespoons usweetened cocoa powder
1 Tablespoon butter
3/4 teaspoon salt
Stir in with a wire wisk :
1-1/2 cups boiling water
Cook in microwave on high at 1 minute intervals stirring well after each with the wire whisk. As mixture begins to
thicken cook at 30 second interval until the mixture is very thick.
Then stir in 6 Tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of vanilla; stirring until the butter is melted; cool to frosting
consistency and frost cake.
6 Tablespoons of butter
1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
If you prefer to cook it on the stove just stir the boiling water into the dry ingredients and cook over medium heat
stirring constantly until thick and bubbly; remove from heat and add the butter and vanilla.