My momma has made this for my birthday for as long as I can remember. It's rich, it's moist and perfectly dense. And it comes together with just a few staple pantry items.

What you'll need:
3 cups flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
2 cups sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
2 Tbl apple cider vinegar
2/3 cup vegetable oil
2 cups cold water

How to make it:
Preheat the oven to 350° F.

Mix all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Make three wells (to help distribute the wet across the dry), then add the wet ingredients to the mixture. Stir well until fully combined.

Grease the pan and layer the bottom with parchment paper cut to size. Dust with cocoa powder.

Bake a 9x13 for 30-35 minutes; two 9 inch pans for 25-30 minutes; cupcakes for 19-23.
Test with a toothpick at the early end of timing. Remove from pan and let cool on a cooling rack. For best results, cover for the night with cling wrap or just in a covered cake stand and frost the next day.

The cake can be frosted with your favorite chocolate frosting - bought or homemade, topped with whipped cream or left dry. They're all delicious options.

Happy celebrating - whatever the occasion!