(Mix in 5 Minutes) Deep Dark Chocolate Cake

aka Chocolate Turtle Cake

This is one I just make as a trade for some seamstress help with someone at work. I got rave review and it's so easy. Since I typed it up to send to them I thought I would post it too. You can certainly leave off the "turtle topping" and use the ganache recipe. Sometimes I do the ganache with fresh or frozen raspberries...

(Mix in 5 Minutes) Deep Dark Chocolate Cake

Combine:
1 ¾ cup flour
2 cups sugar
¾ cup cocoa
1 ½ teaspoon baking soda
1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
Add:
2 eggs
1 cup milk
½ cup oil
2 teaspoon vanilla

Beat 2 minutes on medium speed.
Then add 1 cup boiling water, mix on slow until blended.

If making into a turtle cake: melt 1 ½-2 tablespoons of butter, pour into a 12” round (same volume as a 9x13). Coat bottom and sides with melted butter. Pour cake batter into pan and bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until pick inserted comes out clean. Cool and turn onto platter.

Turtle topping:
¾ cup caramel topping
¾ cup chocolate chips

Melt together in microwave, being careful not to over heat. Spread warm mixture on cooled cake. Top with coarsely chopped pecans. Heat another ¼-½ cup of caramel and drizzle over top.