better than a box chocolate cake

OK here it is...  the recipe for the

 BEST BIRTHDAY CHOCOLATE CAKE

If there is a request for Cake at our Birthday celebrations
 this is the one we always use.

We always do it in a plain ole cake pan.
Yes my children are deprived of fancy cakes,
 but I haven't heard anyone complain. :)
 One taste and you will be hooked!

Sorry no pictures it is not a fancy in the pan cake
but I promise you ,
you will NEVER bake a box chocolate cake  again
after you taste this cake.

 PROMISE! SO MOIST,  SO DELICIOUS!
YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE IT!

BUTTERLESS, EGGLESS, MILKLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE
(I try to cut sugar and salt in most of my recipes)

3 CUPS  all purpose flour
2 CUPS  white sugar ( I use 1 3/4 cup) edit ...so sorry I just noticed I left out 1 cup sugar in the above parenthesis the amount 1 3/4 cup is now correct
5 TBS cocoa powder
1 tsp salt (I use 1/2 tsp )
2 tsp soda
2 CUPS  cold water
2 TBS. white vinegar
1 CUP vegetable oil (I like Safflower oil but any will do)
2 tsp vanilla

Mix flour and sugar in a large bowl.  Place cocoa, salt and soda in a sifter and sift until empty over flour and sugar. My cocoa is always a bit lumpy and this makes for easier mixing. If you don't have a sifter, mix cocoa with part of the sugar or flour in a small bowl to remove any cocoa lumps before adding it to the large bowl.

Make a well in the dry ingredients add all of liquid ingredients.  Mix well with mixer or wire whisk. I  mix until all is blended about 1 minute.  I use a whisk.

Grease 9X13cake pan .  Pour batter into pan. Push cake batter up into corners of pan a little bit before baking. (it is my secret to a cake that doesn't bake skimpy in the corners and  thick in the center.)

Bake 350*  35-40 minutes until toothpick tests clean. 
When you start to smell the cake it is close to being done.

Allow cake to cool for 10 min then start making your frosting.

 FUDGE FROSTING
1 CUP Brown Sugar
5 TBS Butter
3 TBS milk

1/2 CUP semi sweet chocolate chips  (I use Hersheys)

 In a medium sauce pan bring sugar, oleo and milk to a full boil .
 TURN OFF HEAT, if using electric stove take off burner
Then add 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips.
Stir frosting until chips are melted.

Now beat 3 1/2 minutes with electric mixer on high speed tilting pan towards you to mix.

Frost cake as soon as frosting is done. Cake will still be warm.  Once you pour it on the cake the frosting sets up very quickly. Make it as pretty as you can as quick as you can.

ENJOY!  Serve with MINT CHIP ICE CREAM !!
love someone today!

janita