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If your child is old enough and has mastered basic cooking skills under supervision, perhaps it's time to introduce them to the joy and satisfaction of scratch cooking. I was shown this recipe when I was a boy and wanted to make a birthday gift for a family member. I think it's a great one for kids for several reasons:
- It has few steps, so it keeps their attention and boosts their confidence
- It's a simple "one-bowl, one-pan" recipe
- It's chocolate cake!
In fact, a family member's birthday is an ideal time to suggest this recipe to the child who likes to cook. While you're at it, give them the freedom to decorate their masterpiece with whatever frosting or icing they choose -- and with other edible decorations from home or the store. Both you and your child will be extremely proud of their accomplishment -- and of course, again, everyone wins, right? Because did I already mention we're talking about chocolate cake here? (Wait -- did I already tell you how much I like chocolate cake?)
[INSERT YOUR CHILD'S NAME]'S CHOCOLATE CAKE
Serves 12
4 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate, chopped or broken into pieces
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 2/3 cup boiling water
2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Grease and flour a 9-x-13-inch baking pan. In a large mixing bowl (to save time, just use the bowl that attaches to your countertop mixer), combine the chocolate, butter, and water. Stir until the chocolate is completely melted. Add the remaining ingredients and beat at low speed with an electric mixer until smooth.
Pour batter into the prepared pan.
Bake 35-40 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the cake's center comes out clean.
Remove from oven and completely cool cake in the pan on a wire rack. Add frosting and decorations of your choice, then serve.
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