i know what you are thinking. why in gods name would she just GIVE me her chocolate cake recipe. 

well the truth is, it really isn't mine to give. it's ina's (the barefoot contessa) and she has already given it away. 

ina is pretty much my culinary goddess. when i was teaching myself to cook, nine times out of ten i would go with a barefoot contessa recipe. they NEVER let me down. and while i have adjusted most of her recipes that i started with, this one is tried and true.

if you are a chocolate cake fan, this is your holy grail. this cake is rich, but still light and fluffy. it's bold in flavor, but is still very moist. it's pretty much the perfect cake. it's great with cream cheese frosting, a classic butter cream or if you are like me, it's great on its own. 

THE chocolate cake
serves: 2 x 9 inch cakes or 1 9 x 13 sheet cake
prep time: 10 minutes
active time: 5 minutes
bake time: 30-45 minutes
total time: 1 hour
ingredients: 1.75 cups ap flour. .75 cup cocoa powder. 2 cups sugar. 2 tsp baking soda. 1 tsp baking powder. 1 tsp salt. 1 cup buttermilk. .5 cup vegetable oil. 2 eggs. 1 tsp vanilla extract. 1 cup hot coffee. parchment paper. vegetable oil spray.
start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees f. while your oven is preheating, prepare you pans. trace the size of your pans your are using onto the parchment paper and cut out a shape that fits into the bottom of the pan. spray your pan with oil and then set the parchment in the bottom. 

in the bowl of a stand mixer or with a hand blender, combine the eggs, buttermilk, oil and extract. 

once the wet ingredients are well combined, turn the mixer to slow and add in the dry ingredients a bit a time. 

when your batter is well combined (it should be nice and thick), slowly add in the hot coffee. 

mix until just combined and smooth. 

pour the batter into the prepared baking pans. 

bake for 30-45 minutes depending on the size of the pan. you will know that the cake is done when you can insert a toothpick into the cake and it comes out clean. remove the cake from the oven and set to cool on a cooling rack. 

once the cake has cooled to room temp, remove your cake from the pans and use.

xo, a

THE chocolate cake
erves: 2 x 9 inch cakes or 1 9 x 13 sheet cake
prep time: 10 minutes
active time: 5 minutes
bake time: 30-45 minutes
total time: 1 hour
ingredients: 1.75 cups ap flour. .75 cup cocoa powder. 2 cups sugar. 2 tsp baking soda. 1 tsp baking powder. 1 tsp salt. 1 cup buttermilk. .5 cup vegetable oil. 2 eggs. 1 tsp vanilla extract. 1 cup hot coffee. parchment paper. vegetable oil spray.
start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees f. while your oven is preheating, prepare you pans. trace the size of your pans your are using onto the parchment paper and cut out a shape that fits into the bottom of the pan. spray your pan with oil and then set the parchment in the bottom. in the bowl of a stand mixer or with a hand blender, combine the eggs, buttermilk, oil and extract. once the wet ingredients are well combined, turn the mixer to slow and add in the dry ingredients a bit a time. when your batter is well combined (it should be nice and thick), slowly add in the hot coffee. mix until just combined and smooth. pour the batter into the prepared baking pans. bake for 30-45 minutes depending on the size of the pan. you will know that the cake is done when you can insert a toothpick into the cake and it comes out clean. remove the cake from the oven and set to cool on a cooling rack. once the cake has cooled to room temp, remove your cake from the pans and use.

admittedly, i have never been a huge supporter of gluten free or vegan cooking/baking. it's no secret that i'm an everything in moderation kind of girl. however, living in southern california and working in multiple fitness and yoga studios, i've realized it is unavoidable. the people want what the people want. 

so i did what i would normally do when i plan on embarking on something i know nothing about. i consulted an expert. 

mimi and i worked together at quiksilver many moons ago. she left to open her cookie bar in mammoth lakes, ca and never looked back. a successful bakery and a few cook books later and we reconnected over vegan + gluten free recipes. 

et me be clear. i was VERY skeptical of vegan, gluten free brownies. my red flags were going off left and right. 

but then i had my first bite. these are some of the best brownies i've ever made. they are moist, the perfect combination of cake and cookie and hit all the picky eater requirements. win. win. win. 

mimi's chocolate brownies
serves: 12 full sized or 24 minis
prep time: 10 minutes
bake time: 20-25 minutes
total time: 35 minutes
ingredients: 284 grams sugar. .5 tsp vanilla extract. 57 grams dutch chocolate cocoa. 57 grams dark chocolate, chopped. .5 c boiling water. .5 cup canola oil. .25 coconut milk. 255 grams gluten free flour blend (found in most large grocery stores near the regular flour). .25 tsp sea salt. .75 tsp baking powder. powdered sugar for dusting. parchment paper. 9x13 baking pan. 

start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees. 

in a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. 

line a 9x13 baking pan with parchment paper. in the bowl of your stand mixer with the paddle attachment or in a bowl with a hand blender, combine the sugar, vanilla, cocoa and dark chocolate.

with the mixer on medium, add in the boiling water and mix until the cocoa and chocolate are melted and smooth. 

turn the mixer to low and add in the oil, coconut milk and the flour mixture. mix until just combined. 

pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. the batter is thick, so take time to spread it to all the corners of the baking dish. 

bake for 17-25 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. 

allow the brownies to cool before you slice into regular sized brownies or minis. sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve. store any extras (rare) in an airtight container.

xo, a

mimi's chocolate brownies
serves: 12 full sized or 24 minis
prep time: 10 minutes
bake time: 20-25 minutes
total time: 35 minutes
ingredients: 284 grams sugar. .5 tsp vanilla extract. 57 grams dutch chocolate cocoa. 57 grams dark chocolate, chopped. .5 c boiling water. .5 cup canola oil. .25 coconut milk. 255 grams gluten free flour blend (found in most large grocery stores near the regular flour). .25 tsp sea salt. .75 tsp baking powder. powdered sugar for dusting. parchment paper. 9x13 baking pan.
start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees.
in a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt.
line a 9x13 baking pan with parchment paper. in the bowl of your stand mixer with the paddle attachment or in a bowl with a hand blender, combine the sugar, vanilla, cocoa and dark chocolate.
with the mixer on medium, add in the boiling water and mix until the cocoa and chocolate are melted and smooth.
turn the mixer to low and add in the oil, coconut milk and the flour mixture. mix until just combined.
pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. the batter is thick, so take time to spread it to all the corners of the baking dish.
bake for 17-25 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
allow the brownies to cool before you slice into regular sized brownies or minis. sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve. store any extras (rare) in an airtight container.