If you’ve ever had a neighbor like MY neighbor, then we’re talking lottery odds of how lucky you can get in the neighbor department.  I live next to the best family EVER… and in the center of it is the heart of their household, my sweet friend (and neighbor), Sarah.  She’s the best I’ve ever had. 🙂

Jason and I recently took the kids camping for 3 1/2 days and without hesitation Sarah watched our property for us.  It’s hard to repay someone in “time”.. so I gave back my “time” instead and baked her a cake!

“A good neighbor is a fellow who smiles at you over the back fence, but doesn’t climb over it.” – Arthur Baer

This recipe is awesome.  It’s a simple delicious chocolate cake.  The kind you dust with powdered sugar and cut into handheld slices.  I found the recipe here:

The Magnolia Journal , issue no. 5 | wonder (recipe posted below)

I compare it to a little black dress.  Every gal needs a little black dress in the closet, and every baker needs a go to recipe for chocolate cake in their recipe book.

 

Here’s a fancy picture of my Katie Alice food scale from the UK.  Did I ship it from the UK? Nope, but Amazon did for me!  Although it measures in grams I figured out the metrics and I use it all the time.

 

This recipe calls for water but since it’s a chocolate cake, I substitute the water with coffee.  Coffee brings out the best in chocolate flavor so I do recommend taking this extra step.  I doubled the amount of coffee in my French Press and drank the second half while I finished baking. 😁

 

You can recycle the butter wrapper by greasing the pan with it… or if you’re too lazy for this step, use a non-stick spray.  Whatever you do, make sure you grease the pan.  And instead of dusting it with flour, dust it with cocoa powder.  Again, it’s a chocolate cake .. the more, the merrier!!

 

Sift…

 

On the right is real Mexican vanilla from Cozumel.  It’s fabulous… I brought one home for Sarah too since we both love to bake.  I hope you’re using this stuff Sarah!!

 

The batter should look like a boxed cake mix but with more airiness to it.

 

Once it’s done, give it a dusting of powdered sugar and you’re set.

 

To bake this cake I used a vintage hammered copper flute pan that serves a dual purpose since it hangs on the wall as decor when I’m not using it.  I love to collect Copper.  I bought it at a Vintage fair from this sweet old lady who “Couldn’t let it go for less than $20” LOL!

 

Joanna Gaines Chocolate Bundt Cake from The Magnolia Journal, issue no. 5 | wonder

 

The only thing I did differently was converted the water into coffee, and doubled the amount of salt.  Enjoy!