I need a recipe for a delicious chocolate cake. I do not want to use a cake mix. Please give me some ideas on variations to this cake, I have to bring one for the holiday this weekend. By the way, I already know about allrecipes.com, so please please please do not submit an answer that says "Try allrecipes.com". I looked but was overwhelmed by all the recipes =)

ohh you have to try this one...i made it 3 days ago and my friends loved it, and its soo simple and moist!!!http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Moms-Ch...tail.aspxtrust me its awsome!!!

TEXAS CHOCOLATE CAKEINGREDIENTS1/2 cup butter 1/2 cup shortening 2 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate 1 cup water 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour 2 cups white sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (DON't OMIT)1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 cup buttermilk 2 eggs, beaten 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 cup butter 2 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate, melted 6 tablespoons milk 1 pound confectioners' sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup chopped pecans DIRECTIONSPreheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease one 9x13 inch cake pan. In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup shortening, 2 ounces chocolate, and water. Heat until chocolate is melted; set aside. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, and baking soda. Make a well in the center, and pour in buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla. Add melted butter/chocolate mixture, and beat until smooth. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until cake tests done. Five minutes before cake is done, make frosting. To make frosting: In a saucepan, combine 1/2 cup butter, 2 ounces chocolate, and 6 tablespoons milk. Heat until bubbles form around the edge; remove from heat. Beat in confectioners' sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and nuts. Frost cake while still warm. Allow to cool totally before cutting.

my favourite easy one250 gram butter in the mixer with 300g brown sugar, mix on high for 3 minutes till fluffy, add 1 tsp vanilla and 3 large eggs.sift together 1 cup plain flour, 1 cup good dark cocoa (try 44% cocoa) , 1/2 tsp sea salt, 3 tsp baking powder.fold into cake alternativley with 250 ml buttermilk, then fold in 100g almond meal.Scrape into lined cake tin (ring tin is best)bake 35-45 mins moderate oven (160dg)let cool in tin 15 minsturn out, let cool.dust with icing sugar and decorate with fresh strawberries and a bowl of cream.variationsadd 1 tsp cinnamon and 1 tsp gingeradd 1 cup choc chipsadd zest of 2 oranges and use 1 cup oj instead of buttermilkadd 4 teaspoons instant coffee dissolved in the milk frost with melted marshmallowsenjoy, xox