Chocolate Cake recipe, made from scratch...

• 3 cups cake flour
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cups unsweetened cocoa
• 2 ½ cups strong coffee
• ½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 2 teaspoons unsalted butter (room temperature)
• ¹⁄₃; cup vegetable oil
• 1 ½ cups superfine sugar (granulated works fine)
• 1 ½ cups dark brown sugar
• 5 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions:

1. 1
   Set oven to 350 degrees.
2. 2
   Make sure you have all ingredients ready, and pans you are using.
3. 3
   Alternatively, this recipe will make about 3 1/2 dozen cupcakes, using muffins tins lined with cupcake papers.
4. 4
   Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
5. 5
   Set aside.
6. 6
   Whisk the cocoa and coffee together until smooth (no lumps).
7. 7
   Set aside.
8. 8
   In a large mixer bowl, cream butter (about 1 minute), add oil, beat for one minute.
9. 9
   Add sugars, beat for 10 minutes.
10. 10
    Add eggs, beat 5 minutes.
11. 11
    Add vanilla, beat until blended.
12. 12
    Alternately add coffee and cocoa mixture and dry ingredients into butter mixture, mixing after each addition, making sure to scrape the sides of the bowl often.
13. 13
    Flour pans or use a light layer of crisco so cake doesn't stick, Pour into prepared pans.
14. 14
    Bake for about 25 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
15. 15
    If making cupcakes, bake for about 20 minutes.
16. 16
    Spread frosting over layers, and frost entire cake.
17. 
    

This is an easy to make basic chocolate cake, that comes out moist and delicious every time, thought it would be great just in time for Valentine's day and everyone loves chocolate for Valentine's day=)

Melissa