the longest post about the best chocolate cake!

I made my first ever bundt cake for my birthday party and I think it turned out to be a success.  It was certainly a labor or love, but well worth the effort.  I tried to hone in on my inner p-dub food photog skills while baking this cake...let's see how I did...

first up, finely chopped semisweet chocolate

sift some cocoa and enjoy all the many forms of chocolate in your kitchen!

grease the bundt pan (this recipe was the for the anniversary bundt cake pan from Willimas-Sonoma...I did not have that...AND i think the one I had was a bit shallow-er...which caused some overflow in the oven, but all is well) and dust with cocoa powder.

combine cocoa powder, chocolate in bowl and add boiling water. whisk until the chocolate melts and mixture is smooth and blended.

over a sheet of parchment, sift together the flour, baking soda and salt.

we interrupt this regularly scheduled blog post to show you 2 of my favorite kitchen tools..

the sifter...awesome and fun...

and my Handy martha stewart measuring spoon (all in 1)

With an electric mixer, beat the butter until smooth and creamy. add the brown sugar and beat until blended. add the eggs a little at a time...beat in the vanilla.  GOD BLESS MY KITCHENAID!

when the rest of my kitchen looks like this, I know she is still holding strong and working!

reduce the speed and add the flour mixture in three addition, alternating with the sour cream and ending with the flour. slowly pour in the chocolate-cocoa mixture. gently fold in the chocolate chips.

I've never done a bundt cake or pound cake before because they take so freaking long. this worked to my advantage this time b/c I had other recipes to whip together while it baked.  It takes about 60-65 minutes.  The recipe said to let it cool upright in the pan for about 15 minutes. I didn't do this...and just inverted in on the wire rack immediately.  that may be why I had a little damaged spot...

but I didn't mind. from this angle...all was well :)

the ganache included more chocolate, butter, boiling cream, whisking...and unfortunately no pictures! however, in the end, she was pretty and yummy and moist and delightful!

Here is the recipe for you to try! I promise it won't disappoint...oh, and feel free to invite me over if you make it :)