Valentine's Day Dark Chocolate Cake

1 . Stage

Have all your ingredients at room temperature. Preheat the oven to 350°. Butter the pan of your choice or line the pan with wax paper or parchment and butter the paper.

2 . Stage

With a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip the butter for 1 minute on high speed, then scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula. Add the sugar to the butter and beat on high speed for 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl again.

3 . Stage

With the mixer on medium-low speed, add the vanilla extract; then add the eggs one at a time. Scrape down the edges of the bowl midway through.

4 . Stage

Combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and sea salt in a separate bowl.

5 . Stage

With the mixer on low speed, add half the flour mixture. When it’s mostly incorporated, add half the sour cream. Add the remainder of the dry and wet ingredients, scraping down the sides of the bowl between additions. Stop mixing as soon as you have a smooth batter.

6 . Stage

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until the middle of the cake feels springy when you gently press your finger against it (approximately 30-35minutes). All ovens are different, so it’s important to do the fingerprint test to see if the cake is done.

7 . Stage

Let the cake cool completely before icing.