Chocolate Frosted Yellow Cake

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Chocolate Frosted Yellow Cake

chocolate frosted yellow cake

One of the reasons I discovered my passion for baking and started a food blog of my own is because of a certain special woman.

Deb, from Smitten Kitchen, inspired me to take out my baking pans and put them to good use. I discovered her gorgeous blog a year and a half ago and immediately spent the next three hours flipping through her recipes. At the time, I didn't really know what blogs were—much less that thousands existed about food—but I knew I was in love with what I saw. Little did I know this small discovery would alter the course of my life forever.

chocolate frosted yellow cake

I made her recipes almost religiously for a few months as my food blog repertoire grew. She even inspired me to take out my camera and start snapping photos of my food. Even though I knew absolutely nothing about photography (much less how to properly photograph food), I wanted to learn. I'm almost embarrassed to show you, but this is my very first attempt at food photography. You can't even tell what it is. I think I've come a long way, don't you?

Now, a year and a half later, I have changed careers, swapping my physics textbooks for a pair of oven mitts. I can finally call myself a real baker.

chocolate frosted yellow cake

I honestly believe this is the best cake I've ever made and eaten. Trust me on this—I would never lie to you about something so delicious. The yellow cake is buttery, sweet, and so moist it will make you want to cry tears of jubilation. This cake bakes up perfectly every single time. Every single time. It will forever be my go-to recipe for yellow cake. When you have found perfection (and you are looking at it), there is no need to search further. I have found my yellow cake soul mate.

Now let's not forget about the chocolate frosting. This frosting is mildly sweet (and won't make your teeth feel as if they are about to fall out, which I find quite important in my frosting recipes). There is a lot a of cocoa powder in this particular recipe so the frosting tastes deliciously of cocoa. It was very difficult not to eat this by the spoonful.

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Quick Chocolate Cake

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Quick Chocolate Cake

quick chocolate cake

There are some days when I crave a simple chocolate cake—nothing too big, fancy, or (gulp) calorie ridden. I believe that creating something simple shouldn't require making a big affair of things. I don't want to make a huge mess of the kitchen, spend time mixing up a batch of frosting, or worry about leveling and layering cakes. I don't feel like spending hours standing in the kitchen with batter up to my elbows. Really, I don't think that's too much to ask.

Why shouldn't I be able to have my cake and eat it too?

quick chocolate cake

This chocolate cake is so quick and easy. The cake is mixed up in the pan it is baked in, minimizing time spent dirtying and cleaning up the dishes. There is no need to drag out the stand mixer or clear the cupboards of the mixing bowls; the only dirty dishes you will have are the measuring cups/spoons and the spatula you mix it with (but, really, you could easily lick that clean).

Now this is something I could really get used to.

quick chocolate cake

This cake is vegan! No dairy, no butter, and no oil, yet it retains a moist and rich sponge. The espresso powder in the cake cannot be tasted, but it really brings a well-rounded chocolate flavor to the cake. There is really no excuse not to make this. I challenge you to find me an easier or quicker recipe.

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Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

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Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

cranberry chocolate chip cupcakes

Today I learned the real difference between cupcakes and muffins. I can certainly tell the difference between cupcakes and muffins once I have one in my mouth (if there is any question to begin with), but I never took the time to actually define them individually. This is what I've learned.

Cupcakes are typically frosted and decorated, though this is not necessary. An unfrosted cupcake is still a cupcake. It does not equate to a muffin simply because it is naked. Cupcakes are also stuffed to the gills with butter and sugarsugarsugar (you know, like cake). Cupcakes are simply individual portions of cake and are typically eaten for dessert or a sweet treat and not breakfast (unless you happen to be me). Cupcakes have a high ratio of sugar and fat.

cranberry chocolate chip cupcakes

Muffins, on the other hand, are a form of quick bread, not cake. Muffins generally have a very small amount of butter (if any) and very little sugar. Although muffins can be topped with a glaze or crumble, this does not make them cupcakes, even if it may make them slightly more unhealthy. Muffins are typically eaten at breakfast or tea time. You would rarely find muffins being served at a birthday party or wedding (could you even imagine?). Muffins have a very low ratio of sugar and fat, making them healthier than cupcakes which is why it is okay to eat them for breakfast.

But, if you ask me, I think my local grocery stores could do with a bit of a lesson. Am I honestly supposed to believe a double chocolate chocolate chip muffin is really a muffin? Are rich and cakey banana nut muffins (with half a pound of buttery crumble topping) not cupcakes? Do they really have a low fat/sugar content? I have doubts. So my lesson for you is to be careful and watchful of the differences. Since few people are actually aware of the differences (most people believe that an unfrosted cupcake classifies as a muffin), you might be stuffing yourself with cupcakes for breakfast. Chances are that if you didn't make that muffin yourself, it may not be a muffin after all.

cranberry chocolate chip cupcakes

These cranberry chocolate chip cupcakes are a play on the concept of sweet and tart. The bitter cranberries are contrasted well against the sweetness of the chocolate chips. These have a texture similar to a muffin rather than a cake, but there is enough sugar and chocolate so you can't pretend they are terribly healthy. However, the cupcakes themselves are rather light and will leave you wanting just a little bit more.

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