Rich Black Chocolate Cake

Isn't it interesting how so many people can make the same recipe with such different results? Also curious is how a submitted recipe is altered by some cooks and then given a bad review. Having said that, I made this just as written (half recipe) in a mini egg shape pan from Williams Sonoma (eight to the pan). SO good! Fragrant, dark, moist, luscious little dark chocolate cakes. I used "Hard Chocolate Glaze" (also fabulous) to dip them in, then made a bakery style creamy white frosting to decorate them. These were to die for! Tasted like an infinitely better version of Hostess cupcakes! In fact, I could easily see this made in a cupcake tin to duplicate them near exactly. I know I will definitely use this recipe (with the glaze) again--and again--and again. All around, an easy to mix cake that yields perfect results!  -  09 Mar 2008  (Review from Allrecipes USA and Canada)

I originally gave this 4 stars but after making it again with another modification I am adding another star. Here's the trick: instead of water, heat up 2 c milk, add 2 heaping teaspoons of instant coffee and use that to dissolve the shortening. It makes a big difference by bringing out the chocolate flavor, rather than diluting it. Frosted with Caroline's Fudge Frosting from this site. Yum! Thanks!  -  13 Jun 2003  (Review from Allrecipes USA and Canada)

Everyone loves this cake. I used this recipe exactly. I've made a variation of this before, where I substituted 1 cup of boiling water with 1 cup of milk and the 1/2 cup butter for 1/2 cup applesauce. I prefer the recipe with applesauce because the applesauce makes it more moist and it doesn't affect the taste at all. Less guilt too.  -  27 Sep 2006  (Review from Allrecipes USA and Canada)