Chocolate Cake

Chocolate Cake

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups white sugar
2/3 cup cocoa powder
2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups cooled brewed coffee (or water)
1 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoon vanilla
3 tablespoons vinegar

Pre-heat oven to 350° F. Whisk flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.  Whisk in coffee, oil, vanilla and vinegar. Pour into 2 - 9 inch round cake pans (lined with baking paper) - bake for 25 to 30 minutes; or 3 x 9 inch cake pan (lined with baking paper) - bake for 30-35 minutes; or 24 lined muffin cups - bake for 18 - 20 minutes.

Cool in refrigerator for about an hour, then apply frosting/icing.

Chocolate Applesauce Raisin Cake

Nothing says "Happy Birthday" like a chocolate cake made from scratch... 
1/2 cup Crisco shortening
1 1/4 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cocoa
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves (powder)
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 1/2 cup of applesauce
1/2 cup water
1 cup raisins (or a bit more if you like)

Cream shortening, add suger and eggs. Beat well.  Sift flour and spices together.  Add alternately with apple sauce and water, beating well after each addition. Stir in raisins. Put into 13x9 inch pan and bake at 325 F for 50 minutes.

Aunt Yvonne's Almond Banana Cranberry Cake or Loaf

Almond Banana Cranberry Cake

A newer recipe from my aunt, very good!

1 egg
1 cup white sugar (I generally use less (1/2 to 3/4 cup) as the fruit makes this sweet enough)
1/4 cup of melted butter or margarine
3 large bananas mashed
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup chopped pecans (or walnuts)
1/2 cup dried craisins (i.e. dried cranberries, regular raisins will also work, you can also add some frozen blueberries or other berries if you like)

Preheat oven to 350 F.  Beat egg till frothy.  Add sugar, butter, bananas and almond extract. Sift flour, baking soda and salt into banana mixture and stir to combine.  Fold in nuts and craisins.  Pour into a greased 9x9 inch pan or 9x5 loaf pan.  Bake at 350 F for 25-30 minutes (use a toothpick to check for doneness).  If baking a loaf, bake for 1 hour.  Let cool and eat.