Baking up a storm! (The magic is in the mix.)

Magic Chocolate Cake – Good Recipes from Nonny’s Kitchen

Let me wave my magic wand and bedazzle you with a Magic Chocolate Cake–magic because it has no eggs or dairy! And also magic because you mix it, bake it, and serve it from the same pan! In addition to being super easy to make, like all the recipes from Nonny’s Kitchen, it has passed the taste-test of family and friends.

Although this dessert is called a cake I find its texture closer to that of a brownie. I first encountered the Magic Chocolate Cake in The Peaceful Palate by Jennifer Raymond. I have modified the instructions slightly.

Dry Ingredients for the cake

  • 1 ½ cups all purpose (plain) flour
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda (not baking powder)
  • 1 1/3 cups cocoa powder

Liquid ingredients for the cake

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/3 cup canola oil
  • 1 tablespoon white distilled or apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cup cold water

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Combine flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and cocoa powder. Mix well before adding liquid ingredients.
  3. Add vanilla, canola oil, vinegar and water and mix well (with a fork, spoon, or whisk is fine—an electric mixer isn’t needed).
  4. Bake for 30 minutes (I use a 9-inch ungreased square or round aluminum baking pan) until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool completely before frosting with a Chocolate Cream Frosting like the one below. Or serve with a dusting of powdered sugar.

Ingredients for the frosting

  • 2 tablespoons softened margarine (creamed, not melted)
  • 2 cups powdered (confectioners’) sugar
  • 1/3 cup cocoa
  • ½  teaspoon vanilla
  • 2-4 tablespoons water (as needed)
  • Add sugar, cocoa, vanilla, and water to the softened margarine just a little at a time until frosting is of desired consistency—thick but spreadable.

Spread the frosting over the cooled Magic Chocolate Cake and serve from the pan. Makes nine delicious servings.

Magic Chocolate Cake–Good Recipes from Nonny’s Kitchen
Connie Carlisle Polley, 2025
ConnieCarlislePolley.com
NonnyDay.com

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