Steve's Chocolate Pound Cake

This is a chocolate loaf that I used to make whenever my friend Justina's husband was coming to a party. It's not too sweet but very moist. I am going to try something a little different and make individual loaves; I have an issue with this cake being a little toooo moist, if you know what I mean. That sounds creepy; I just mean it it easy to undercook and then harshly overcook. Here's to mini-loaves!!

Eaaaaat meeeeeeeeeeeeee!!

You will need:

3 oz semisweet chocolate (I use Chipits chocolate chips cause I'm lazy like that and they melt well)
1 1/2 c all purpose flour
2 Tbsp cocoa
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 c butter (UNsalted, of course)
1 c granulated sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat an over to 325 degrees, grease up an 8-pack mini-loaf pan or a 9x5 regular loaf pan. Melt the chocolate over low heat, set aside. Measure all of your dry ingredients (flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt) together in a medium bowl or largish measuring cup (less dishes!!), stir with a fork until well mixed.

In a stand mixer, beat the butter until it is all smooth, add in the sugar and beat until it is light and fluffy. It will actually lighten in colour, so give it a bit.

Lighter! Trust moi!

Beat in the eggs very well, just one at a time, then the vanilla and then melted chocolate. Dump all the flour in at once and only mix until it is all moistened. Pour into the pan(s).

Bake for 50 minutes for a full loaf and 40 for individual sized loaves; you want a clean cake tester before you pull them. Cool for 10 minutes on the rack before you invert for complete cooling.

They are terrific with fresh whipped cream, or ice cream or all by itself.

For Justina for Steve!