Small Chocolate Cake

Small cakes are certainly convenient for small celebrations. This 1-layer 6-inch chocolate cake serves 4, so it’s perfect for date night, a Valentine’s Day dessert, a small family birthday celebration, or for whenever you need a scaled-down cake. We all love it with chocolate ganache on top. You can also use this chocolate cake batter to make a small batch of cupcakes. 

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (63g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
• 1/4 cup (21g) unsweetened natural cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup (60ml) vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup (60ml) buttermilk, at room temperature

Chocolate Ganache

• one 4-ounce (113g) quality semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate bar, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream or heavy whipping cream
• optional garnish: raspberries, mint, and/or sprinkles