This is the easiest, most basic chocolate cake recipe you will find. It is quite moist and can be topped with your choice of frosting, from simple to complex. I am using my favorite icing with this recipe; it is not the simplest one to make, but it is worth the effort, if you have the time to invest. If you need a cake in a hurry, just whip up a batch of basic butter cream frosting instead.

Chocolate Cake with Toasted Coconut and Nut Icing

Cake:

3 c. flour

2 c. white sugar

5 Tbsp. cocoa powder

1 tsp. salt

2 tsp. baking soda

1 c. vegetable oil

2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

1 tsp. vanilla

2 c. warm water with 1 tsp. instant espresso powder dissolved in it (or just use cooled, leftover, brewed coffee). Coffee always enhances the flavor of chocolate.

In a large bowl, stir together the dry ingredients. Mix the liquid ingredients in another bowl. Using a large wire whisk or a wooden spoon, combine the wet into the dry mixture. No need to beat with an electric mixer; just combine with your own muscle power to make a smooth batter. Pour into an ungreased 9 x 13 inch cake pan. Bake on convection bake 325 for 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

Frosting:

1 c. evaporated milk

1/2 c. butter

1 c. white sugar

3 egg yolks

1 tsp. vanilla

1 c. chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)

2 c. shredded coconut

Combine the milk, butter, sugar, egg yolks, and vanilla in a saucepan. Cook gently over medium heat until thickened, about 10 minutes. While it is cooking, stir the mixture continuously with a whisk, so that it doesn't curdle or burn on the bottom. Be sure to keep stirring all around the bottom of the saucepan. Remove from the heat; using a wooden spoon, stir in the coconut and nuts, beating together until well combined. Spread the frosting over the cooled cake; I like for the top to be a bit rustic rather than totally smooth, allowing for more surface area to toast under the broiler. Preheat the broiler; place the frosted cake in the oven 2-3 inches from the broiler. Allow the top to toast for a few minutes. Do not walk away from the oven for even a second, as this process can go quickly and it would be sad to have worked so hard, and end up with burnt frosting. This is lovely served with ice cream.