legalmoose

Mountain High Chocolate Cake (from the "Student's Vegetarian Cookbook")

1-1/2 cups unbleached white flour
1/3 cup unsweetened baking cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar (or sucanat, if you prefer)
1-1/4 cups water
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons plain red or white vinegar

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

1. In a baking pan (9 inch round, 8 inch square, or 9x6 inch rectangle), combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt and sugar.
2. In a small bowl, combine the water, oil and vanilla. Pour the liquid into the dry ingredients, and whisk with a fork to combine. Add the vinegar, and stir until the vinegar is well-distributed around the batter (there will be color variations in the batter from the reaction between the vengar and baking soda).
3. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from oven, and serve.

NOTES: I always found the baking time way too little for this. 40-50 minutes was more like it, but that could be my oven and the pan I use (non-stick, dark metal 8 inch square). The vinegar is needed to activate the baking soda, so don't skip it, and make sure it's well-blended in to allow for some good rising action. This is an excellent, moist chocolate cake. Definitely not low fat, though. ;-) I've made it several times and it's a standby for quick dessert in my house now (since all the ingredients are pretty much staples for me now).