My favorite memories as a child are of family members gathering to make food for celebrations. We all have our "special recipes". What's yours? Here is my favorite birthday cake recipe!

Rachel's Plan Bee Chocolate Cake
2 cups sugar
1-3/4 cups unbleached all purpose flour
3/4 cup cocoa powder (I love using dark chocolate cocoa powder)
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 cup milk or non-dairy alternative (we love coconut milk)
1/2 cup vegetable oil (melted virgin coconut oil)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup very strong coffee or expresso, boiling hot
chopped nuts for garnish (optional)
 
Directions

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. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in hot coffee (batter will be runny). Pour batter into prepared pans.
3.  Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. 

Chocolate Icing
1 cup bittersweet or dark chocolate chips
1/2 cup half & half (coconut cream for dairy-free option)
dash of salt
1 cup unsalted butter (virgin coconut oil for dairy-free option)
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
Melt chocolate chips, half & half and butter in a saucepan on medium heat.  Stir constantly until all is melted and mixture thickens (approx 5 minutes) but does not boil!  Remove from heat and beat in powdered sugar on low speed until smooth.  Place saucepan over a large bowl filled with ice.  Beat the mixture on low until frosting thickens and looks like fudge (approx 5 min).  Frost your cooled cake!  If frosting thickens up too much as it cools, place back on low heat and stir until you reach your desired consistency again.