Mini 6 inch Chocolate Cake

Sometimes I need a little cake to go along cupcakes for a Birthday celebration.  Or maybe you just want a little layer cake. This makes a 6 inch layer cake that will serve 8.

Mini 6 inch Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (plus 2 tsp.) unsweetened natural cocoa powder
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 6 T. unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup buttermilk (or regular milk mixed with 2 tsp. lemon juice or vinegar)
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup (plus 2 T.) hot coffee for hot water 

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour (or spray) two, 6 inch round cake pans that are 2 inches deep.
2. In a large mixing bowl, add the dry ingredients (flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar). Mix well with a whisk and set aside.
3. In another mixing bowl, add all the liquid ingredients (except the hot coffee or water) and whisk well.
4. Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients.  Mix with an electric mixer on medium to medium-high only until the ingredients are well combined.  Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix again for only about 5-10 seconds.
5. Add the hot coffee (or hot water) and mix until well combined.  Be careful not to over mix.  Once it's well combined, stop mixing.  Don't mix for several minutes, as that is too long and could sue the cake to be dense and/or dry.  Scrape down the sides of the bowl and mix again for only about 5-10 seconds.
6. Divide the batter between the two, 6 inch round cake pans.  Bake at 350 degrees F for approximately 35-40 minutes.
7. Cake layers are done when a toothpick inserted into the middle of each layer comes out with a few moist crumbs on it or clean.
8. Set cake layers on wire racks to cool for about 10 minutes, then take the cakes out of the pans and let cool completely on the racks.
9. Once cool level the cakes with a knife.  Add a layer to a cake plate or cake board and a add frosting, ganache or any filling desired. Then add the second layer of the cake.  Frost with cream cheese frosting, buttercream or whatever frosting you desire.