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One-Pan Chocolate Chip Snack Cake
Dry ingredients go straight into the baking pan — flour, brown sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt stir together with a fork, then water, vegetable oil, vinegar, and vanilla pour in and combine without any separate bowls. The vinegar reacts with the baking soda in the oven, creating lift without eggs or dairy. Miniature chocolate chips and a scattering of granulated sugar go over the surface before baking, forming a thin crackled crust. Nine squares, 60 minutes total.
Equipment
- Oven
- Cake Pan
Ingredients
- 1 2 ⁄ 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup packed brown sugar or granulated sugar
- 1 ⁄ 4 cup unsweetened baking cocoa
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 ⁄ 2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup water
- 1 ⁄ 3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 ⁄ 2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ⁄ 3 cup miniature chocolate chips
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
Instructions
- 1Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- 2Combine the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, unsweetened baking cocoa, baking soda, and salt directly in an ungreased 8-inch square baking pan.
- 3Mix the dry ingredients thoroughly with a fork. Pour in the water, vegetable oil, white vinegar, and vanilla extract, stirring until a smooth batter forms. Make sure to scrape the corners of the pan so no dry pockets of flour remain.
- 4Smooth the top of the batter into an even layer. Scatter the miniature chocolate chips and the 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar evenly over the surface.
- 5Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- 6Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 15 minutes before slicing. The crumb needs a little time to set up so it doesn't fall apart when cut.
Notes
- Variation: For a plain chocolate snack cake, omit the miniature chocolate chips and granulated sugar topping. Dust the baked cake with powdered sugar once cooled.
- Storage: Keep leftover cake tightly covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Tip: Use a fork or a small silicone spatula to mix the batter in the pan to avoid scratching the bottom.
Recipe Details
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