Sourdough Chocolate Cake

INGREDIENTS

• 2/3 cup shortening
• 1 2/3 cups white sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup sourdough starter
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup cold water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

1.      Sift together flour, cocoa, soda, baking powder, and salt.

2.      Cream shortening, sugar, and eggs. Blend in sourdough starter. Add sifted ingredients slowly to creamed mixture, beating until smooth. Stir in water and vanilla, and mix well. Pour batter into greased and floured 9 x 13 inch pan.

3.      Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 35 minutes,

Great Chocolate Cake

INGREDIENTS

• 14 ounces bittersweet chocolate
• 3 1/3 tablespoons butter
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon water

DIRECTIONS

1.     Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease and flour one 9 inch round pan.

2.     Bring eggs to room temperature and separate.

3.     Melt dark chocolate and butter or margarine over low heat.

4.     Beat egg yolks, flour, and water. Add the chocolate mixture. Beat the egg whites, and fold into the chocolate batter.

5.     Pour into prepared pan, and bake for 20 to 30 minutes.

Best Moist Chocolate Cake

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup margarine
• 1 3/4 cups white sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt

DIRECTIONS

1.     Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan. Sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

2.     In a large bowl, cream together the margarine and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the milk, mixing just until incorporated. Pour batter into prepared pan.

3.     Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.

Aunt Mary's Chocolate Cake

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup margarine
• 1 cup water
• 2 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 cup sour milk

DIRECTIONS

1.     Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch pan. In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave chocolate, margarine and water until melted. Stir occasionally until chocolate is smooth. Allow to cool to room temperature.

2.     In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, salt and soda. Pour in milk and eggs. Mix the cooled chocolate mixture into the batter. Pour into prepared pan.

3.     Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out clean. Frost with Best Butter cream Frosting.

Aunt Joyce's Chocolate Cake

INGREDIENTS

• 3 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons vinegar
• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups white sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups warm water

DIRECTIONS

1.     Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave.

2.     Pour the melted chocolate into a large mixing bowl. Blend in the mayonnaise, vinegar and vanilla. Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt and gradually stir into the chocolate mixture. Slowly stir in the warm water. Pour batter into prepared pan.

3.     Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool

Fabulous Fudge Chocolate Cake

INGREDIENTS

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 3 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate, melted
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar

DIRECTIONS

1.     Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2.     Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

3.     In a large bowl, beat 1/2 cup butter or margarine and 2 1/2 cups brown sugar until well mixed. Add eggs one at a time. Beat in the vanilla and melted chocolate squares. Add 1/2 the sour cream and then 1/2 the dry ingredients to the butter mixture until well blended.

4.     Add the remaining sour cream and dry ingredients to the batter. Stir in boiling water.

5.     Bake in a greased 9 X 13 inch pan for 35 minutes.

6.     Let cool 10 minutes before icing.

7.     To Make Caramel Icing: First melt 1/2 cup butter in a saucepan. Stir in 1 cup brown sugar and boil about 2 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup milk and bring to a boil. Place pan in cold water and stir in the confectioners' sugar. Continue stirring until smooth. Spread over still warm cake.

Chocolate Oil Cake

INGREDIENTS

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

DIRECTIONS

1.     Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2.     In a large bowl, mix sugar, flour, baking soda, salt and cocoa.

3.     Add water, vegetable oil, vinegar, and vanilla. Beat by hand until smooth.

4.     Pour into a 9x13 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 40 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean.