ISO firm chocolate cake recipe

[krhm]

Maybe it's too early, but my search queries are not turning up good hits, so I'm posting a new thread.

I'm making a cake for DD's birthday this weekend that will have fondant on top, so I need a firm but not dry recipe. My go-to chocolate cake recipe is the one from the back of the Hershey's box (I might bake a cake 2-3 times a year). But it's pretty moist, and I don't think it would hold up well under the fondant. I thought about using bread flour and slightly decreasing the water in the recipe, but now is not the time to tweak. I need a tried-and-true. Any recipes?

And I should add that I did think about chocolate pound cake but she doesn't like it, and I can make the cake a day early so it can dry out a little!

[sneezles]

Tried and True and Delicious:

Chocolate Butter Cake

[krhm]

Sneezles, thanks for your help! You really should just consider apprenticing me...it would probably be easier for you! Here's the finished product...I was pretty pleased for my first time with fondant, but that black coloring was a nightmare to work with!

Kari



Editing to say that I can't figure out why the picture won't post, but here's the link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28388423@N02/4061306372/

[sneezles]

What a beautiful cake!!! I hope you were wearing gloves when working with the black!

[Trishinomaha]

What a stunning cake! Just beautiful and for such an important birthday. I hope she has a great one!

[Angelsfan]

That is a killer cake! Your daughter is a lucky girl! I bet it just made her whole day .

-Heather