Italian Chocolate Cake

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan. Tip: Shake off the excess flour after greasing.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
3. In a separate medium bowl, mix the vegetable oil, milk, and vanilla extract. Add the egg and whisk until smooth.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir with a spatula until just combined. Do not over mix as it might result in a dense cake.
5. Slowly add in the hot water while stirring. The batter will be thin, but this is normal. Stir until the mixture is smooth.
6. Gently fold in the chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan. Tip: Tap the pan gently on the counter to remove any air bubbles.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Once baked, remove from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Optional: To make a simple chocolate glaze, melt 1/2 cup of chocolate chips with 3 tablespoons of heavy cream in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir until smooth, then drizzle over the cooled cake.