Mini Chocolate Cake

Living in a house with a health food conscious mother, two gym rats for brothers, and a father who's often gone on business trips, I often fear that my baked goods will go to waste as a result of not being able to find homes for whatever I make. Therefore, I only feel justified in my baking endeavors when I know of an upcoming party or social event. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love feeding my friends and family, they are my best critics. And maybe it's simply because I'm new to the life of a foodie that I can't get enough of it, but I want to bake more than any of my friends or family members can put up with.

Anyways, sometimes you just wake up and want dessert. And you don't want to go to all the effort to bake a full on cake or batch, or you know everyone's gone for the day and you could so easily bake something and eat it before they ever find out what happened that the temptation is too strong to resist. That's how I felt this morning. Yes, I got out of bed and immediately starting baking myself a cake. This is my life.

Not just any cake though. A perfectly sized and incredibly tasty personal cake. I baked it in a cup-sized ramekin (by the way, I am slightly obsessed with ramekins, and find just about any opportunity to use my brightly colored ones in baking and cooking....they just put me in such a good mood).

But regardless, I got my chocolate cake fix. And all while my brothers were at the gym and before my parents got home. Success.

Mini Chocolate Cake
from Bakergirl, recipe found here

Ingredients
1/4 cup flour
1 tablespoon cocoa
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 egg
2 tbsp canola oil
1/4 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup bittersweet chocolate chips

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Mix together the flour, cocoa, sugar, salt, baking soda, egg, oil, and vanilla until well combined.

Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave for 30 second intervals, stirring between each until fully melted.

Briskly stir in the melted chocolate until well combined.

Pour into a greased ramekin and bake for 25 - 30 minutes.


Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
from Bakergirl, (doubled) recipe found here

Ingredients
5 tbsp softened butter (2.5 ounces)
2 tbsp vegetable shortening (24 grams)
1/2 tsp vanilla
Pinch of salt
2 cup powdered sugar (250 grams)
2 tbsp milk

Directions
Beat together butter and shortening until fluffy. Add vanilla and salt and mix well.

Reduce mixer speed to low, then add powdered sugar. Add milk one tablespoon at a time as necessary to create the optimal consistency.

I find that once I have added all ingredients, beating for 2-3 more minutes creates a lighter and fluffier consistency.