Baking a cake is not difficult, but there are some tricks and tips you may want to follow to make the experience more pleasant and ensure the best results. Before you begin the process, make sure you have all the ingredients and equipment required for the recipe. Since cake baking involves some chemistry of the ingredients working together, follow the recipes exactly as stated. After you are comfortable with your skills, you may want to experiment and try something a little bit different. You will want to prevent the cake from sticking to the bottom of the pan, so do not forget to condition the pan according to directions. Some recipes call for using some sort of grease or oil coating, while others require a dusting of flour light cakes or cocoa for darker cakes. In some cases, you may cover the bottom with wax paper that can be removed after the cake is done. Make sure you preheat the oven to the temperature stated in the recipe. Place your cake pan as close to the cente
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- 1-1/2 cup softened butter or margarine
- 2-1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 5 eggs
- 2-3/4 cups flour
- 1-1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups milk
- 3 tablespoons vanilla
- 3 tablespoons cocoa for dusting pans
- Ingredients for Frosting:
- 1 cup shortening
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 cups whipped topping
- Sprinkles in your favorite flavor
Directions for cake:
1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Grease three 8-inch square or 9-inch round pans and dust with cocoa.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter and sugar. Mix until creamy
smooth.
4. In a separate medium bowl, beat eggs. Add eggs to the butter and sugarmixture very slowly. Mix well.
5. Add half the flour, half the baking powder, and half the milk. Beat until
smooth.
6. Add the remaining flour, baking powder, and milk. Beat again until smooth.
7. Add vanilla and mix on medium speed for 2 minutes.
8. Evenly distribute the batter in the three pans.
9. Bake for approximately 30 to 35 minutes in 350 F oven. Test for doneness
with a toothpick.
10. Cool for 10 minutes and turn the cakes onto wire racks to finish cooling.
Directions for frosting:
1. Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave or double boiler.
2. In a separate bowl, combine the shortening, powdered sugar, and water.
Beat until smooth.
3. Slowly add the melted chocolate chips and mix well.
4. Fold in the whipped topping until the chocolate is evenly distributed