Pioneer Woman Chocolate Cake

 Base Cake Recipe

Ingredients

FOR THE CAKE

2 c. 

flour

2 c. 

sugar

1/4 tsp. 

salt

4 tbsp. 

(heaping) cocoa powder

225g 

 butter

1 c. 

boiling water

1/2 c. 

buttermilk

2 

whole beaten eggs

1 tsp. 

baking soda

1 tsp. 

vanilla

FOR THE ICING

1/2 c. 

finely chopped pecans

1 3/4 

sticks butter

4 tbsp. 

(heaping) cocoa powder 

6 tbsp. 

milk

1 tsp. 

vanilla extract

1 lb. 

(minus 1/2 cup) powdered sugar

 

Directions

1. Note: I use an 9 x 13 casserole. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. In a saucepan, melt butter. Add cocoa. Stir together. Add boiling water, allow mixture to boil for 30 seconds, then turn off heat. Pour over flour mixture, and stir lightly to cool. 
2. In a measuring cup, pour the buttermilk and add beaten eggs, baking soda, and vanilla. Stir buttermilk mixture into butter/chocolate mixture. Pour into sheet cake pan and bake at 350-degrees for 20 minutes.
3. While cake is baking, make the icing. Chop pecans finely. Melt butter in a saucepan. Add cocoa, stir to combine, then turn off heat. Add the milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Stir together. Add the pecans, stir together, and pour over warm cake.
4. 
   
5. I never use this icing, I use coconut pecan, cream cheese, buttercream, fondant. 
6. For 2 layer cake bake in 9" pans for 25-30 minutes
7. large cupcakes for 15-22 minutes.