Hershey’s Perfectly Chocolate Cake & Chocolate Frosting

My husband's birthday was this past Saturday and is traditional for us, we spent the day at Hershey Park. I can't think of anything better to go with amusement park rides than chocolate! Actually I think chocolate nicely compliments just about anything.

In honor of our day at Hershey, I decided to make some cupcakes using Hershey's baking cocoa. I looked through my Hershey's cookbook that I purchased last time we were there and also did a recipe search on their site. In the end I decided on the Perfectly Chocolate Cake & Chocolate Frosting that was actually listed both in my book and on their website.

This was my second time making a recipe from the Hershey's website and I've been really impressed with each so far. I really think this is probably the best chocolate cake I've ever made from scratch. Sometimes the chocolate cakes can get a little dry, but not this one. The texture is really great, more on the light side, and it has a nice moist crumb. And, as the name suggests, the chocolate flavor is just perfect.

I followed the variation for cupcakes and halved the recipe to get around a dozen cupcakes. The recipe notes that the batter will be thin, and was it ever. It seemed like I was scooping chocolate sauce into my cupcake liners rather than chocolate cake batter. In the end though, it made some awesome cupcakes. I will definitely be using this cake recipe again.

The chocolate icing took the cupcakes to the next level of chocolaty heaven. I am a huge chocolate lover, so these were a perfect combination for me. I can see how some might prefer something different--less chocolaty. I used the recipe suggested on the website and added a little salt to bring out the flavors more.

All in all, these were a huge success, surely satisfying any cravings for chocolate. As for my husband's birthday cake, in his typical fashion, he requested an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen, made his way, with no chocolate crunchies in the middle. He can have his chocolate-less crunchie ice cream cake, but I'll stick with my over-the-top chocolate cupcakes.

Our trip to Hershey Park, was a fun one. Even though the park was insanely crowded, our group had a great time, and it's so true when they say, Hershey is definitely the sweetest place on earth.

HERSHEY'S "PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE" Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:            

    

• 2 cups  sugar
• 1-3/4 cups  all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup  HERSHEY'S Cocoa
• 1-1/2 teaspoons  baking powder
• 1-1/2 teaspoons  baking soda
• 1 teaspoon  salt
• 2   eggs
• 1 cup  milk
• 1/2 cup  vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons  vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water
•    "PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE" CHOCOLATE FROSTING(recipe follows)

   

                

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350°F.  Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.

2. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pans.

3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost with "PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE" CHOCOLATE FROSTING. 10 to 12 servings.
         
VARIATIONS:
ONE-PAN CAKE: Grease and flour 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Heat oven to 350° F. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely. Frost.

THREE LAYER CAKE: Grease and flour three 8-inch round baking pans. Heat oven to 350°F. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost.

BUNDT CAKE: Grease and flour 12-cup Bundt pan. Heat oven to 350°F. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 50 to 55 minutes. Cool 15 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack. Cool completely. Frost.

CUPCAKES: Line muffin cups (2-1/2 inches in diameter) with paper bake cups. Heat oven to 350°F. Fill cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake 22 to 25 minutes. Cool completely. Frost. About 30 cupcakes.


"PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE" CHOCOLATE FROSTING

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter or margarine
2/3 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Melt butter. Stir in cocoa. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency. Add small amount additional milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla. About 2 cups frosting.

Comments

[Marye]

I love Hershey. I went there alot growing up and then last year when I was visiting my Daughter and son in law, he took me on a surprise trip to Hershey. The cupcakes look great!

[steph]

oh my gosh, those look good! and great swirly frosting on top, too...just like a bakery!

[Carla]

I'm guessing by your post you live in PA? I live in the Pittsburgh area, so Hershey is about 4 hours away. I've been there 3 times in my life, and I agree with it being the sweetest place on Earth (with free chocolate at Chocolate World!)

[Kayte]

i just found you on the foodie blogroll! it's so funny because we just got back from hershey park the other day. we always go for my daughter's birthday. and i just pulled this exact cake out of my oven. but i made it into 2 9" round cakes. i cannot wait to try it tomorrow night! she wants pink frosting, so i will, unfortunately, not be making the chocolate frosting.

[Tracy]

I think Hershey would be such a fun place to live, even down to the Hershey Kiss shaped street lights. I live in Mill Hall, PA and work at Penn State University. Occasionally for work I get to visit the College of Medicine/Hershey Medical Center. It's around 2 hours away and always a fun trip. Thanks everyone for the comments on my blog. =)

[Jasmine31]

Those look awesome!