Recipe 

Servings -  8

Preparation time - 15 minutes

Cooking time -  30 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 2 cups of sugar
• 2/3 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons of baking soda
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 2 cups of warm water
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons of distilled white vinegar or apple cider vinegar

Equipment Needed

• Mixing bowl
• Whisk or spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• 8x8-inch square baking pan
• Oven

Recipe Instructions

Preheat the Oven

• Set your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Prepare Dry Ingredients

• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.

Add Wet Ingredients

• Gradually add the warm water, vanilla extract, vegetable oil, and vinegar. Mix until you get a smooth, lump-free batter.
• Do not overmix, as it can result in losing the air and may result in a flat cake.

Pour and Bake:

•  Pour the batter into a greased 8-inch square pan. Smooth the top with a spatula.
• Tap the cake tin on a flat surface 2-3 times so the mixture is flattened evenly and air bubbles are activated and are evenly distributed
• Place the pan in the oven and bake for approximately 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool and Enjoy

•  Let the cake cool completely before cutting. Serve plain, with frosting, or a dusting of powdered sugar.

Tips

• Use apple cider vinegar for a slightly fruity tang.
• Add 1/2 cup of chopped nuts or chocolate chips to the batter for texture.
• For a luxurious finish, frost with ganache or whipped cream.
• Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days.
• To make a smaller cake for 4, halve the ingredients and bake in a smaller pan, reducing the cooking time by 5-7 minutes.
• Enjoy chocolate cake—plain, frosted, or with a scoop of ice cream.
• Use wet baking strips or cover outside the pan with wet cloth for even baking damp extra height to the cake.
• I generally divide the mixture equally in two pans and bake, so I get two layers of cake. That makes it easy for me to fill the pans and stack them together to make a tier cake or big cake.