Usually at this time of year, we are sitting with the in-laws in their log cabin in snowy Vermont. Not this year. Instead we decided to stay back and run the business. Lots of people come to Sarasota in the winter for sunny weather and time out on the water and they all want to go paddling and kayaking. It is great to be here showing off the beautiful Sarasota waters but I really miss Vermont in the winter. I miss the sledding, the snow and sitting by the fireplace. I especially miss Aaron's parents cooking for us some of the most comforting winter foods--baked mac and cheese, pancakes with real maple syrup, and Grandpa's famous chocolate cake.
Grandpa's chocolate cake is an all day affair because he is very precise about his measurements. He carefully cuts the parchment into perfect circles. He sifts his flour. He levels each and every measurement. I know all of these things are important in baking but over the years, especially when I am doing casual baking at home, I get a little...um, shall we say, imprecise with my steps. For this recipe, I took my time. I gave myself a whole afternoon to bake with no other distractions (except a bit of Dolly playing in the background).
This recipe is the basic chocolate cake recipe found on the back of the Hershey's cocoa powder container. Sprinkle it with a dash of powdered sugar for a lighter cake. Or, do as I did and make the perfect Hershey's frosting to top it. However you decide to make it, I think this chocolate cake recipe might just end up being your go to recipe, just as it is ours.
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