Chocolate Cake Mix Recipe

This is my favorite chocolate cake recipe. It can be used for cupcakes as well with no modifications necessary.

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar (the finer the better)
3/4 cup cocoa
2 tsp. baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
4 Tbsp. vegetable shortening (I substitute with a baking margarine)

Combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir to combine. Add shortening, using electric mixer on medium speed to blend the shortening into the dry ingredients. Completely mix shortening until no chunks are visible.

Add in:
1 1/3 cups water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 350*F. Grease sides and bottoms of two 9" baking pans, or one 9x13" pan. Lightly flour the greased pans. Blend the dry cake mix(above) with water, oil, and eggs in a large bowl with the mixer at low speed until just moistened. Increase the speed to medium and mix 2 more minutes.
Pour batter into pans and bake 30-33 minutes for the 9" pans and 35-38 minutes for the 9x13" pan.

If you wish to make cupcakes, bake for 19-22 minutes.