Q&A for How to Make a Chocolate Cake

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  • Question
    How can you get a baked cake out if it is stuck in the pan?
    Quynh La
    Professional Baker
    Quynh La is a Professional Baker and the Owner of Sugar Bakery & Cafe in Seattle, Washington. With over seven years of experience, she specializes in baking cakes, cookies, croissants, and bread. Quynh holds an AAS in Culinary Arts from South Seattle College and a second AAS in Specialty Desserts & Bread from Seattle Central College.
    Professional Baker
    Expert Answer
    Run a paring knife along the edge of the pan. If you do not have a paring knife at home, a butter knife or a small offset spatula would be a good tool to use to run along the side of the pan. Then just pop the pan upside down to release the cake.
  • Question
    Is it necessary to add vanilla extract?
    Qamar
    Top Answerer
    No, it only adds flavor.
  • Question
    How do I bake this in an oven?
    Community Answer
    Put the mix in the oven. Set it to 180°C (350°F). Do not open the oven door for the first 20 minutes. Your cake should be ready between 30 to 45 minutes, depending on your oven. You can check whether your cake is baked by putting a toothpick or a knife in it. If there is dough on the utensil, you should continue cooking.
  • Question
    Can I use another type of icing besides chocolate icing?
    Qamar
    Top Answerer
    Yes, you can use vanilla icing as well.
  • Question
    Why do I need vinegar? Can I make it without vinegar?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can make this without vinegar.
  • Question
    How can I make a vanilla cake?
    Community Answer
    Swap the three tablespoons of cocoa for three tablespoons of extra flour and add an extra teaspoon of vanilla extract.
  • Question
    Could a little kid bake this?
    Qamar
    Top Answerer
    With adult supervision and safety precautions, yes.
  • Question
    How do I make the toppings in step 6?
    Community Answer
    One way you could make a frosting is by mixing 300g of icing sugar with 150g of butter, two tablespoons of cocoa and a splash of milk until it's all combined and smooth, then just spread it on the cake.
  • Question
    Can I substitute baking soda for baking powder and vice versa?
    Community Answer
    You can replace one with other, but you have to add some ingredients to make the chemical reaction the same and not affect your baked good. If you want to create the equivalent of 1 teaspoon of baking powder out of baking soda, mix together ¼ teaspoon baking soda with ½ teaspoon cream of tartar and ¼ teaspoon cornstarch. If you want to use baking powder instead of baking soda, simply use three times as much baking powder.
  • Question
    What is vanilla essence?
    Community Answer
    Vanilla essence is vanilla extract. It is extracted from vanilla beans and is used to flavor several desserts and dishes. It is the extract that is made from vanilla beans which are soaked in alcohol. It is widely used as a flavoring agent.
  • Question
    How do I make chocolate frosting?
    Community Answer
    Get 25 grams of butter, 30 grams of icing or powdered sugar (sifted), and 20 grams of chocolate powder. Mix.
  • Question
    How many people will the recipe serve? Will it be enough for 9 people?
    Community Answer
    It serves around about 10 people, so yes it will be (just about) enough for 9 people!
  • Question
    How can I make a red velvet cake?
    Qamar
    Top Answerer
    Check this out.
  • Question
    Can I add some food colouring on it if I want to?
    Qamar
    Top Answerer
    You can but it will most likely not show because of the cake's brown chocolate color.
  • Question
    How do I make a lava cake?
    Qamar
    Top Answerer
    Check this out.
  • Question
    Can I make a cake without butter?
    Qamar
    Top Answerer
    Yes, check out method 6, the vegan chocolate cake.
  • Question
    Why is the vinegar needed?
    Qamar
    Top Answerer
    It helps keep the cake moist and soft.
  • Question
    What can I do if I don't have a microwave?
    Qamar
    Top Answerer
    This recipe does not require a microwave; you need to use an oven.
  • Question
    Can I use yogurt instead of eggs or sour cream?
    Community Answer
    Yes! Yogurt can be used as a substitute for eggs. It's about 1/4 cup of yogurt to one egg. It won't be the same as something baked with eggs, but it will work.
  • Question
    Can I bake this cake without an oven?
    Qamar
    Top Answerer
    No you cannot. Consider finding other cake recipes that do not use an oven such as a chocolate mug cake .
  • Question
    Can a pressure cooker be used?
    Qamar
    Top Answerer
    No, this chocolate cake should not be made with a pressure cooker. Consider finding other cake recipes that use a pressure cooker for better results.
  • Question
    How could I decorate the cake?
    Qamar
    Top Answerer
    Use frosting to top the cake and sprinkle chocolate chips, coconut flakes, chocolate shavings, berries, and/or M&Ms.
  • Question
    Can you use this to make cupcakes by pouring the batter in the cupcake tray?
    Qamar
    Top Answerer
    Yes, that can work. The cupcakes will just bake for less time however.
  • Question
    Can I eliminate the eggs, and if I so, what should I use to replace it?
    Qamar
    Top Answerer
    Try out the eggless chocolate cake recipe in method three.
  • Question
    How can I make vanilla frosting?
    PrincessCutieFuz26
    Community Answer
    In a medium bowl, mix powdered sugar and butter with spoon or electric mixer on low speed. Stir in vanilla and 1 tablespoon of milk. Gradually beat in just enough remaining milk to make frosting smooth and spreadable. If frosting is too thick, beat in more milk, a few drops at a time. If it gets too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar.
  • Question
    How do you make rainbow cake?
    Qamar
    Top Answerer
    We have a how-to on that! Check out How to Make a Rainbow Cake .
  • Question
    What if I add regular cream instead of sour cream?
    Community Answer
    This is an acceptable substitution. I did it and the cake turned out great.
  • Question
    Is sour cream necessary for the basic chocolate cake?
    Qamar
    Top Answerer
    It helps keep the cake light and fluffy. You could omit it, but the cake won't be as moist.
  • Question
    How do I make an eggless and milkless cake?
    Qamar
    Top Answerer
    Check out methods 4 and 5 for the eggless, milkless cake recipe.
  • Question
    How can I make my basic chocolate cake more moist?
    Community Answer
    You can add sour cream to the batter.
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