Homemade Chocolate Cake Recipe That’s Good for You???
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By Amanda Stokes
This homemade chocolate cake recipe was first made by my dad when he was a cook during World War II. It can also be used as a super chocolate cupcake recipe and brings the joy of chocolate alive.
JOY OF CHOCOLATE
So, why have I included a recipe for chocolate in a positive thinking magazine focused on joy? Well, the old term, “Joy of Chocolate” is true when you look at how it affects your health.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF DARK CHOCOLATE
Did you know that very dark chocolate [containing 85% cocoa] is actually good for you in moderation? Just like anything that’s good for you in life, moderate dark chocolate consumption can be used as a “joy food.”
- Chocolate has a lot of “phenolics” which are super antioxidants that fight the war against cancer and heart disease.
- Chocolate contains a type of antioxidant called flavonoids that can offer protection for your skin from UV damage.
- Chocolate makes your brain happy by increasing levels of endorphins and serotonin (when it’s not mixed with too much sugar and fat.)
- Chocolate has been shown to decrease risk of stroke.
- Chocolate can make you feel fuller so you eat less food overall.
- Chocolate has been known to stop coughing because it contains theobromine which reduces your brain’s trigger for non-stop coughing.
- Chocolate can make your blood flow better because it has anti-clotting and thinning properties, especially improving the blood flow to your brain making you smarter and improving your eyesight.
- The 85% cocoa dark chocolate contains a lot of chromium, which believe it or not, helps you stabilize your blood sugar (which is a good thing to have when you’re combining chocolate with sugar!)
HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE CAKE RECIPE
Now that we’re guilt free around eating chocolate, let’s dig into our recipe:
Chocolate Cake by Alex Stokes
| 2 tablespoons white vinegar 1 ¾ cups milk 2 eggs 1¼ cups sugar ½ cup shortening 2 cups all-purpose flour |
2 teaspoons each baking powder and baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons dark chocolate melted (85% cocoa) 2 teaspoons vanilla extract |
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine vinegar and milk in small bowl; set aside. Beat eggs in mixer bowl until light. Add sugar and shortening; cream until light and fluffy. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in bowl. Add dry ingredients and milk mixture alternately one-half at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add cocoa and vanilla, beating until smooth. Spoon into greased 9-by-13 inch cake pan (or into cupcake pan lined with paper cups). Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until cake tests done. (Cupcakes bake for 20-25 minutes or until cupcakes test done.) Frost as desired.
TOO MUCH JOY?
In addition to the joy of eating the cake, take into account the joy of baking the cake and sharing the time with a loved one or using the baking time as a quiet solitude for yourself.
With the health benefits of dark chocolate and the joy of baking it, you can’t have too much joy around this homemade chocolate cake recipe!
Positive finds for living a joyful life….
