Moist Chocolate Bundt Cake

Hard to believe it has been a year since I hopped on to this baking adventure called 'A Sweet Punch'. I was a newbee in this blogging world then. I accidentally fumbled upon Divya's blog while looking for Konkani recipes. When I saw the galore of baked goodies she had in her kitty, I was taken aback. That was a time when I did not possess a single baking tin. I was trying my hand at baking in my Microwave cum Convenction oven, by following the recipe book and using a bake and grill proof pan that had come complimentary with it. One of those days when I baked a cake and was disappointed at the disaster that came out of the oven, Divya announced 'A Sweet Punch' and it sounded as though it was meant for me. Without further ado I shot a mail to the group conveying that I wanted to participate. I wondered if I could sustain in this event! A Sweet Punch completed a year and I'm glad to say that I did not miss a single challenge so far. I have grown as a baker and I see myself pursuing baking as a passion, it relieves of my stress. There are times I set out to bake at midnight when the baking bug in me wakes up!!! Yeah, my family thinks I've gone nuts at times like this but those of you who bake would identify with such craziness. I now possess a bunch of bakewares which I treasure more than my jewelleries. Well this, I believe, is just a beginning. There's a long long way for me to go and I'm loving it.

I had so many plans for this month' Punch as the choice was left to us to choose anything to bake.Several things kept me from baking till yesterday. Finally I came up with this cake. It's one of the best chocolate cakes evah! Yes I do mean it. I baked it in my Bundt pan. and soaked with some aerated Cola. Dusted with some icing sugar and decorated with a few cherries.

Cake recipe source:

It's the 'Perfectly Chocolate' Chocolate Cake by Hershey's (I halved this recipe for an 8" bundt pan")

Ingredients:

• 2 cups sugar
• 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa (I used weikfield)
• 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

For assembling:

Pepsi / Coke – 1/2 cup

Icing sugar - 1 tbsp

Cherries - for decorating

Method:

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. 
3.  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.
4. 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.

For assembling:

1. Once the cake is  cool, cut  horizontally into 2 layers .
2. Place the first layer on the serving plate. Drizzle pepsi / coke all over it. Place the top layer and repeat.
3. Dust the top with icing sugar and decorate with a few cherries.