Quick Chocolate Cake

If you need a quick and easy cake recipe, this is the one for you. It's super yummy, chocolate, and easily made with stuff you already have in your pantry. And the recipe makes an 8-inch cake, so it's perfect for a quick dessert, without leaving you with days of leftovers. It is perfect eaten as is, or with just a bit of powdered sugar sprinkled on top before serving. Icing is definitely not necessary. This was the quick treat I made for the kids to celebrate today's first real snow of the season. I cut it into 16 small pieces, so there's still enough for them to have another piece after dinner. Strawberries on the side would make it a perfect dessert!

Quick & Easy Chocolate Cake
1½ c. flour
1 c. sugar
3 T. cocoa
1 t. baking soda
½ t. coarse salt
6 T. vegetable oil
1 t. vanilla extract
1 T. white vinegar
1 c. cold water

Preheat oven to 350.  Spray an 8-inch square baking pan with cooking spray. In medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. 

Make well in center of flour mixture and add oil, vanilla, vinegar, and water.  Whisk until well combined.  Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes.  Let cool completely in pan on a wire rack.

Yield: 8 servings