Dark Chocolate cake (grandma's recipe)

Hi LaSombra, I'm still learning the whole "make my own cake" thing.( I can decorate but can't bake. It's tragic. I usually have to ask my poor cousin to bake the cakes for me) So I was wondring if you could explain the 2 tsp soda. Is that baking soda? I'm so embarresed, you probably think I'm an airhead right now. But I just don't know if theres some other kind of "soda" bakers use. Oh and by way, thanks so much for sharing your grandma's recipe. Can't wait to try it out!!

I'm not the creator of this post but, Yes...soda is baking soda. Don't be emabarressed...that is the only way we learn is by asking questions. We are all new to something! :-) Welcome to the baking world! It's addictive!!

tlreetz: Awww...thank you for responding to my question. Your comments are so inspiring. I really appreciate you saying that we are all new to something. That sentence will stick with me for a long long time. You're exactly right. I will tell my children that when they need a little boost the same way I did. I haven't tried the recipe yet, but I definately will. Thank you so so so much for clearing things up for me. Oh and by the way, you were spot on when you said caking is addicting. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the whole process. From designing, to decorating and delivering. Hopefully baking will also be in there sometime soon. Thanks again!!!

I would still use sour milk sence thats what i can make at home, without buying buttermilk. (sour milk is just milk with a splash of vinegar) its awesome and I use it in my cookies alot.

I use sour milk as well - my mom gave me a lot of my grandmother's recipes that call for it, and I do it the same way Sharridee does. Can't wait to try this cake - thanks so much for sharing...the old ones are usually the best ones!

sounds like this is a great reicpie... cant wait to try it! anyone have a great white cake recipie? I too am new to the cake world and have had many requests for white cakes... the recipie i tried was not moist at all :( any suggestions? pm me at Dianeherring2406@yahoo.com thanks!

How much vinegar would u add to a cup of milk to make it sour?

Firstable thank you so much for sharing your secret recipe. I use all the time the all purpose flour...could I substitud\te in this recipe too? and how much will it be or what I have to do to be the same as the cake flour? thank you!!

Can someone tell me if you use reg butter or unsalted butter?

I'm not the OP but when I don't have buttermilk, I make sour milk by adding 1 Tablespoon of vinegar to one cup of milk. Let it sit for 20 minutes to really react properly.

Would you happen to have an icing that would make a great companion to this cake?

I would like to know if you can use all purpose flour and if that is unsalted or salted butter also.

I was wondering if I could use hi-ratio shortening instead of butter. Also, what kind of vinegar do you use to make the sour milK. Thanks for sharing this recipe!

Sorry so late in replying. I just discovered that the recipe is finally posted :) My grandma used sour milk that just got sour in the fridge. If the milk got sour, she made a cake! I wonder if my aunts and uncles figured that out and stopped drinking milk so it'd sour? :P Thanks to those who've said how to make sour milk with vinegar (lab2965: I think just white vinegar). :) yes, soda=baking soda... and don't feel bad for asking. It's my laziness with typing, I suppose, that I didn't write it out. I use salted butter in this recipe. If you use shortening or unsalted butter, go ahead and put a pinch of salt in with the dry ingredients. all-purpose flour is good. It makes the cake a little heavier than cake flour, which can be a good thing with chocolate cake.

someone asked for a frosting recommendation. I'll tell you what I like to use with all my cakes. This is a lighter frosting, which is good with the richer cake. You can also add some cocoa powder to it to make into chocolate frosting, if you want... if you want "death by chocolate," you could even pour some ganache over top. yum! anyway, here's the link: http://cakecentral.com/recipes/3273/whipped-frosting-made-with-corn-starch

Thanks a lot LaSombra, I tried this recipe and I have to say I did not regret it, It was just the right colour and texture, had a wonderfully rich flavor and was absolutely yummy, SPOT ON!!! Everyone ate this cake and asked for more, including those who claimed not to like chocolate at all. I'm sorry if it seems like I'm being greedy but I would like to know if you have any tested and trusted yellow cake recipes, I would love to try them out, THANKS THANKS THANKS.

Oh and I actually tried it with the whipped frosting recipe in the link you posted above, just perfect. Thanks again.

thanks, teezed :) no problem... This is the yellow cake recipe that I use: http://cakecentral.com/recipes/4983/buttermilk-yellow-cake#comments

Whipped Ganache makes a great frosting for a rich cholcoate cake like this one--or any cake you want real chocolate-y flavor in the frosting--just make ganache with 2 c heavy cream brought just to a boil, and stir in 2 c your favorite chocolate chopped in small bits (I often just use semi-sweet chocolate chips). I put this all in my kitchenaid mixer and start mixing, when the ganache is smooth and all the bits melted, just start beating it until it gets light and fluffy. It can take ten minutes or more. It will cool as you beat air into it. When Ll fluffy, simply fill and frost your cooled layers, Delicious, like a truffle frosting! One Tablespoon of instant coffee in the heating cream will add a mocha flavor.

rowantree, yes! Whipped ganache is like heaven if you love chocolate... Now, what you could do is torte the chocolate cake into 4 layers and fill with the whipped ganache. Then, frost the cake with the whipped ganache, then use melted ganache to pour over it... oh yum. Chocolate decadence!