Cake Ingredients

Frosting Ingredients

Directions

Preheat Oven to 350°F (176°C)
Grease or Line Baking Pans (see baking variations below).
Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl.
Add eggs, milk, applesauce and vanilla extract.
Beat with a mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes.
Stir in Boiling water; batter will be thin.
Add optional melted dark chocolate.

Baking Variation 1: 1-Pan Cake

Baking Variation 2: 2-Pan Layer Cake

Grease and flour (or spray with PAM) two 9-inch round baking pans.
Pour prepared batter into pans.
Bake 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool about 10 minutes; transfer cakes from pans onto metal cooling rack.
Let stand until completely cool.
Frost both cakes with frosting. Note: When frosting 2 cakes, you may need to double the frosting ;recipe.

Baking Variation 3: 3-Pan Layer Cake

Grease and flour (or spray with PAM) three 8-inch round baking pans.
Pour prepared batter into pans. Note: You may need to bake ;separately ;if your oven can't ;accommodate ;all 3 cakes.
Bake 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool about 10 minutes; transfer cakes from pans onto metal cooling rack.
Let stand until completely cool.
Frost all cakes with frosting. Note: When frosting 3 cakes, you may need to double or triple the frosting ;recipe.

Baking Variation 4: Bundt Cake

Baking Variation 5: Cupcakes

Line 12-cup muffin tray with paper baking cups.
Fill cups 2/3 - 3/4 full of batter.
Bake 22-25 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center of cupcakes comes out clean.
Cool completely, remove from baking tray and frost.