easy, yummy and ugly chocolate cake.

I vowed when I started this public cooking adventure to share the good, the bad and the ugly as we attempt to eat well on a budget.

Having said that let me tell you about this cake…

This recipe makes for an absolutely spectacular cake – the best I’ve had in a while.  It’s super easy too, with most ingredients probably already in your pantry.

But here’s the thing…it turned out, well, UGLY.  At least mine did.  Full disclosure:  your friends will love it but you may not win any awards for attractiveness.  It’s a loaf cake after all…is there anything really glamorous about a loaf cake?  I think not.

But let me reiterate – it was SOOOOO good.

Ok, here we go…

Start with butter and sugars:  cream them together and then add…

…egg and vanilla.  A little more mixing and then…

…add in your sifted dry ingredients – cocoa, flour, baking powder, soda and salt.

I’m sure you’ll have far better luck than I had and that your cake will not only taste spectacular but will look amazing too!

If not, there’s always powdered sugar, whipped cream or ice cream – the perfect toppings to pretty up a slice of ugly cake.

Easy, Yummy and Ugly Chocolate Cake

(Adapted from Smitten Kitchen- Serves 8)

What You’ll Need:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 cup buttermilk or sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup cocoa
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Instruction

Preheat the oven to 325°F.  Spray a loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large bowl on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter with sugars until fluffy and smooth, about 3 minutes.  Add the egg and beat well, then the buttermilk (or sour cream) and vanilla.

Sift the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt together. Fold dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until well blended, but don’t overmix the batter.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. I served mine with whipped cream…ice cream would be heavenly too.

TOTAL:  $3.80 or $.48 per serving.

Wondering how on earth I arrived at these costs?  Take a look at my shopping guide to show see what I pay for items, per serving, etc.

Nutrition:

345 calories per serving

14 grams of fat

54 carbs

6 grams protein

3 grams fiber

Mosey on over to Facebook and let me know what you think!