Best Birthday Cake Ever

My daughter requested for her birthday a homemade chocolate cake with homemade chocolate frosting and fresh raspberries. I knew what to make: the recipe from the back of the Hershey's cocoa box. The Perfectly Chocolate Cake and Perfectly Chocolate Frosting.

The Cake is a Classic for a Reason 

This recipe is a classic for a reason. It is easy to make and comes together quickly using pantry staples. I substituted hot coffee for the boiling water. The cake batter is thin and easy to pour.   I used our Vanilla Bean Project Vanilla Bean Paste in both the cake and the frosting instead of vanilla extract—it adds deep vanilla and a richness to the recipe. This cake is most and flavorful and has a tender crumb even without using cake flour. It isn't dry like a lot of scratch cake recipes

The Frosting: Easy to Make with Great Chocolate Flavor

The frosting might be my favorite part. You melt the butter and then add the cocoa. This makes it easy to make with great results every time. It’s soft, shiny, and spreads like a dream. 

Decorated the top with Raspberries

I frosted the cake and decorated the top with a row of raspberries. The tartness and color of the raspberries are a perfect combo with the chocolate.