Ok, I never thought it would happen, I have used box mixes for the last 3 years, never finding a scratch cake mix that could make me switch. Well, for chocolate at least, I am a convert! I will never use a box chocolate cake again! I just made the most moist, chocolately, delicious, unbelievable, scrumptious ( running out of adjectives) chocolate cupcakes EVER! Now, I am on the hunt for a great Vanilla Cupcake! It is baking night honey! LOL![/i]

yes, please, the recipe!

LOL! Don't laugh, I didn't invent the wheel here! I used the recipe on the back of the Hersheys Cocoa box, but instead of adding whole milk, I used Buttermilk, and instead of the water, I used strong brewed coffee. If you all need the recipe and don't have the cocoa box, I will reprint it. I have to tell you, it was like an epiphany! LOL!

Thats the recipe I use, but instead of milk I use sour cream and instead of water I used strong coffee!

Thats the recipe I use, but instead of milk I use sour cream and instead of water I used strong coffee!

Please do post! I have been using Sue B's chocolate cake which is really good but I'm always up for a new chocolate cake

I'd love it if you could post it, as that product isn't for sale here. I'm still on the hunt for a good recipe!

Also, I HATE coffee, but see a lot of chocolate cake recipes which include it. Can you taste it? Does anyone know what it contributes to the recipe? It seems like an odd thing to put in a chocolate cake.....?

zespri, I hate coffee as well, but love it in my chocolate cake. You can't really taste it, but it gives the cake an extra richness.

I am not a coffee drinker either, but coffee give a dimension to the chocolate cake that you don't get otherwise.

For the coffee can you use a folgers single? that's the only coffee I have and would not have a clue as how to make real coffee.

I just buy instant coffee. Heat up the water and throw in a spoonful! Since no one in my house drinks it, we don't have a coffee pot or anything.

I love the hershey's recipe! I will use sour cream or buttermilk next time as suggested. I would love a recipe for vanilla that is equal to the chocolate, too!

I can't wait to try that recipe! It sounds so good and moist. Thanks for the clue

It's my favorite!!! Use it all the time. However the coffee, buttermilk, and sour cream have me courious! I will be experimenting!

Ok everyone, here is the recipe.

"Hershey's Perfectly Chocolate Chocolate Cake"

2 cups of sugar
1 3/4 cups of all purpose flour
3/4 cup of Hersheys Cocoa
1 and 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 and 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk ( I used buttermilk)
1/2 c. vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract ( I used 2 and 1/2 tsp)
1 c. boiling water ( I used 1 cup of strong, brewed coffee)

Preheat oven to 350. Prepare pans or cupcake tins as usual. Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add, eggs, milk ( or buttermilk), oil and vanilla, beat on medium speed for 2 min. Stir in boiling water or coffee. Batter will be thin. ( warning, it will be like water thin, don't worry, cupcakes bake up beautifully!) Bake cupcakes 20-25 min. ( check at earlier time for doneness. Bake cakes 30-35 min.

These were delicious! I prepared them using my suggested ingredients. Like I said, don't be alarmed at how thin the batter is after you stir in the coffee, it is really really thin. Also, the coffee did not add a discernable coffee taste at all, just rich chocolate.

If you add a pinch...and I mean a pinch, no more...of cinnamon as well as the coffee, you have the recipe we used at the bakery I worked for. The cinnamon adds just a touch of unique flavor to the chocolate cake that really sets it apart. Very yummy.

I'm a Hershey's choc cake girl as well! I like to use one cup of granular sugar and one cup of brown sugar. It adds to the richness. I also use strong brewed coffe in place of the water. It's the best!

Coffee + chocolate = mocha. You have just created a recipe for mocha cake!! I have a mocha cake recipe that doesn't sound nearly as good as yours, so now I'll have to try it. My son wanted a cake for his fraternity brothers to welcome everyone back to school, and I think they will luuuuv this. Of course, boys that age would eat cake made out of sawdust!!!

I usually just put chocolate fudge BC on my mocha cake....does anybody have a more creative icing to go with this?

Yesterday I made a Hershey's cake and put a packet of instant coffee in the frosting. It was awesome! I always use the choc frosting on the Hershey's container. I added the instant coffee to the melted butter so it would dissolve. It was a perfect mocha frosting.

I am a hershey girl too! I love it. I have never liked boxed chocolate cake.

I replace the water for coffee too. I have made it with rice milk (my FIL has a milk allergy) and it's great, It doesn't change the taste or texture.

Heres the buttercream recipe from the back as requested.

Perfectly Chocolate Chocolate Frosting

1 stick of butter
2/3 cup Hersheys Cocoa
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract

Melt butter, Stir in cocoa, alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating on medium speed to spreading consistency,

I used a different recipe. I had made a mocha chocolate buttercream to go on my cupcakes. I used the basic wilton recipe, added 3/4 cup cocoa powder in with my powdered sugar, 2 1/2 tsp of good vanilla, and used strong brewed coffee as my liquid. I have to tell you, the results were amaaaazing. I sent them in to my husbands work today and he got emails saying they were the best cupcakes ever!

CakeyTHings,

How do you make chocolate fudge butttercream? I have been looking for a fudgey chocolate buttercream recipe for ages! Would you mind sharing?

You might try the Magnolia Bakery's vanilla cupcake recipe for your vanilla cupcakes. I made them last week and they were very good. Here's a link for the recipe:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/saras-secrets/magnolias-vanilla-cupcake-recipe/index.html

I use the Wilton recipe for chocolate fudge icing;

http://www.wilton.com/recipe/Chocolate-Fudge-Icing

For the milk I make [/i]really chocolaty chocolate milk out of whole milk and Hershey's syrup. I can't digest sugar, so I've never actually tasted this, but everyone loves it and I'm frequently asked for the recipe. I tried it once with Hershey's special dark cocoa, but my taste testers (my college aged kids and their friends) thought it was too much and definitely preferred the icing made with the regular cocoa.

But now I'm wondering if I should try some coffee in the icing....and I'm liking the dulce de leche idea!

oooh, loving this thread! LOL! Thanks for all the tips guys, keep em coming!