Cupid's Perfect Chocolate Cake

This Valentine’s Day, I am excited to serve up the Florida Standards in the sweetest way possible – PERFECT CHOCOLATE CAKE! My grandmother first made this recipe in 1982, and it quickly took the top spot in our hearts. I hope that your family enjoys this delicious dessert and the many great opportunities it provides for learning!

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PERFECT CHOCOLATE CAKE (Serves 16)

Ingredients

1 cup cocoa

2 cups boiling water

1 cup butter

2 ½ cups sugar

4 eggs

1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

½ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

Filling Ingredients

1 cup whipping cream

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

¼ cup sifted powdered sugar

Frosting Ingredients

6-ounces semisweet chocolate morsels

½ cup half-and-half

¾ cup butter

2 ½ cups sifted powdered sugar

Directions

Combine cocoa and boiling water, stirring until smooth. Set aside to cool. Combine butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla. Beat at high speed 5 minutes until light and fluffy. Combine dry ingredients. Add to sugar mixture alternately with cocoa mixture, beating a low speed, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Spoon batter into 3 greased and floured 9” round cake pans. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes. Cool the layers completely. For filling, beat wiping cream and vanilla until foamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until peaks hold their shape. Chill. Spread between layers. For frosting, combine chocolate morsels, half-and-half, and butter in a sauce pan. Cook over medium heat, stirring until chocolate melts. Remove from heat. Add powdered sugar, mixing well. Set sauce pan in ice, and beat until frosting holds its shape and loses its gloss. Frost cake. Keep refrigerated until about two hours before serving.

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Third Grade: SC.3.P.9.1

Let’s consider the different ways water exists.

• What do you see coming off the boiling water?

• What is causing the water to change state?

• What do we call this change?

• What are other physical states of water?

• Can the water change back into its original state?

• What would cause that change?

Fourth Grade: SC.4.P.9.1

Let's think about the differences between physical changes and chemical changes.

• Is the result of whipping the cream a physical or chemical change? Why? Justify your answer.

• Is the result of melting chocolate a physical or chemical change? Why? Justify your answer.

• Is the result of cooking the cake batter a physical or chemical change? Why? Justify your answer.

*Here are a few additional resources to help you through these science standards:

Water Cycle Interactive Activity

Kitchen Chemical Changes Video

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If you and your little valentines try this recipe, I would love to hear about it! Connect with me on Twitter @2018fltoy or at www.learnwithmeflorida.com.