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Best Chocolate Cake Ever!

I celebrated my birthday earlier this month, and it unfortunately fell at the same time as a big snowstorm.  My husband was working, the driveway had to get cleared out, my son was being a grouch.  Even though I've been focusing on eating healthier, I was not skipping birthday cake, I deserved it! I searched the Taste of Home site, and this cake made with ricotta cheese caught my eye.  The sour cream frosting made it even more interesting.

I started mixing ingredients and my son came down and distracted me.  After I'd poured the batter into the prepared pans, I realized that I'd forgotten to add the oil.  I quickly pulled them out of the oven, dumped everything back into the bowl, added the oil and put it back into the pans.  Back into the oven, crossed my fingers and waited.  The cakes turned out perfectly, though one layer was a little larger than the other.  I left them to cool, and then headed out to snow blow.

When I came back in, I went to get the ingredients for the frosting.  How could I possibly not have milk chocolate on hand?  I have 9 kinds of baking chips, candy bars with all kinds of things in them, truffles galore, bakers chocolate, and cocoa powder.   I looked up a substitution, and ended up using the cocoa powder, butter and powdered sugar.  To my surprise, it worked, but I would definitely recommend following the recipe for the best consistency.

This cake is SO good.  Rich, moist (the only time ever this word should be used!), chocolatey.  The tang that the sour cream gives the frosting is awesome.  A grated dark chocolate truffle over the top was the perfect finishing touch.   I'd have never thought to use ricotta in a cake, and now I'm sorry it took me so long to find it!  I'll definitely give this one my vote as Best Chocolate Cake Ever, but I probably should try all the other amazing recipes being shared from the #FestiveFoodies today to make sure ;) Thanks so much to Camilla for hosting!


Best Chocolate Cake Ever

Best Chocolate Cake Ever

ingredients:

  • 8oz Galbani Ricotta
  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 1/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups sugar
  • 1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 1/2 cups water
  • 12oz milk chocolate
  • 1 cup sour cream, room temp

instructions:

Cake Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom and sides of two 9- round by 2-inch deep cake pans.
  2. Sift dry ingredients together in a bowl and set aside. In a mixing bowl, mix sugar, oil, ricotta and vanilla on medium speed for 2 minutes.
  3. Add eggs. Beat until incorporated. On low speed, beat in flour mixture alternately with water.
  4. Continue mixing for 2 minutes until smooth. Divide equally into pans and bake for 35-45 minutes until cake tests done.
  5. Cool in pans for 10 minutes and then turn onto plates. Frost when cakes are cool.
Frosting Directions:
  1. Melt chocolate over simmering water, stir until smooth, let cool to room temperature.
  2. Mix sour cream into chocolate with a wire whisk.
  3. Frost the first layer, top with second layer, then frost the top and sides.
  4. Garnish with chocolate shavings, raspberries, and whipped cream as desired.
Yield: 12 servings
chocolate cake, frosting
Cake, Desserts
American
Created using The Recipes Generator
Jolene's Recipe Journal: Best Chocolate Cake Ever!
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Cindy's Recipes and Writings: Chocolate Mocha Cream Cake
Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks: Chocolate Hazelnut Cake
Culinary Adventures with Camilla: Double Chocolate Cake with Whiskey Ganache
Palatable Pastime: Flourless Chocolate Cake
Cooking With Carlee: Chocolate Banana Cupcakes
Soulfully Made: Chocolate Cake with Whipped Oreo Icing


     

Comments

  1. I had to laugh because I, more than once, have had to pull batter out of the oven, dump it into a bowl and add an ingredient that I forgot. So glad it all turned out so beautifully for you. A Happy Birthday surprise.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do much better without distractions in the kitchen, but I'd never cook if I waited for there not to be any :)

      Delete
  2. Ricotta? Yep, that's make it the best. Thanks for joining me. I can't wait to try this as soon as February comes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right? It was such an unexpected indredient, I had to jump on it!

      Delete
  3. It looks like it is definitely in the running to be the best. I love the idea of ricotta in the batter and the sour cream frosting sounds luscious too. I am putting this on my must make list!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The only drawback to the frosting was that it wasn't good for fancy decoratin' LOL I didn't care, it was delicious :)

      Delete
  4. Riccotta & sour cream?!? Oh yes! I definitely must try this! Happy belated birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  5. It looks incredibly moist and love the addition of ricotta.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So, so moist. The guys usually run for ice cream or whipped cream, but this was perfect all on its own :)

      Delete
  6. What a beautiful cake! I love that it uses ricotta and sour cream - I bet its so moist and flavorful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was amazing, and I'm really hoping my husband wants it for his birthday that's coming up too :)

      Delete
  7. That looks decadent I'd need a huge glass of milk. A great birthday treat.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The guys had theirs with vanilla bean ice cream, but a glass of milk sounds great to me!

      Delete
  8. This really does look like the best chocolate cake ever!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So, so good. I'm searching the calendar for any excuse to make it again!

      Delete
  9. Riccota is something I would have never thought to add to a cake!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me either! I always buy too much for lasagna, so this is a great way to use the extra.

      Delete
  10. I bet it is so moist!! It looks lovely! Thanks for sharing on Celebrate 365 Blog Party's Cake and Cupcake Party!

    ReplyDelete

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