This is one of King Arthur Flour’s most requested recipes and a wonderful dessert to celebrate Dad on his upcoming special day, or anytime you wish to enjoy a quick, easy and delicious chocolate cake. Incredibly dark and moist, the cake itself is egg- and dairy-free, and can be prepared gluten-free, making it perfect for those with special diets or allergies.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour or Gluten-Free Measure for Measure Flour
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa, natural cocoa, or Triple Cocoa Blend
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon espresso powder, optional
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract, gluten-free if necessary
1 tablespoon vinegar, cider or white
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 cup cold water
Icing
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup half & half

Directions

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease an 8″ square or 9″ round pan that’s at least 2″ deep.
Traditional method: Measure all the dry ingredients into the prepared pan. Blend the ingredients together thoroughly with a fork or whisk and scoop out three holes, or indentations. Pour the vanilla into the first hole, the vinegar into the second, and the vegetable oil into the third. Take the cup of water and pour it directly over everything in the pan. Stir all the ingredients together with your fork until well blended.
Updated method: Whisk the dry ingredients together in a medium-sized bowl. Whisk the vanilla, vinegar, vegetable oil, and water in a separate bowl. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl of dry ingredients, stirring until thoroughly combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
Bake the cake for 30 to 35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, or with a few moist crumbs clinging to it. Serve the cake right from the pan; warm from the oven, it’s wonderful with a big glass of milk. Or, once cool, frost the cake with this simple chocolate frosting: Heat the chocolate chips with the half & half until the chips melt. Stir until smooth, and pour/spread over the cake. For a non-dairy icing, substitute 1/3 cup cold brewed coffee (or water) for the half & half.