MIRACULOUS MICROWAVE CHOCOLATE CAKE

"Rich and satisfying, quick to prepare, chocolate cake."

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2/3 cup water, divided use
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated white sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla
purchased chocolate frosting

For six servings, use an 8 inch round glass pan.

In a small bowl or cup, combine the cocoa and 1/3 cup water. Don't bother to stir; the cocoa won't dissolve. Microwave on High for 40 seconds. Stir until smooth; mixture will be thick. Set aside.

In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Mix thoroughly. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the cocoa mixture, the remaining 1/3 cup water, oil, egg and vanilla. With a spoon, mix the wet ingredients thoroughly, then blend in the dry ingredients until the batter is smooth.

Pour the batter into the microwave pan and microwave on High for 5 to 6 minutes, until the cake begins to pull away from the side of the pan. Check the cake after 5 minutes, and if it isn't pulling from the sides, return it to the microwave for another minute. Let cool in pan. The flavor improves if it can rest 1 hour.

This is as good as any of the packaged microwave cake mixes at a fraction of the cost.

Frost with 1/3 of a can of purchased chocolate frosting. Refrigerate the remaining frosting to use at a later date on 2 more cakes.

Makes 1 (8-inch) cake
Adapted from source: Frances Bolton