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I like chocolate cake the best, and I have found that the recipe on the back of the Hershey's cocoa package to be excellent, as is the frosting on that package.

What's the occasion? If you're not opposed to using a mix as a base, check out the Cake Mix Doctor. When you change up the ingredients, you can't even tell it's boxed mix...especially the pound cake recipes with sour cream.

This is my favorite frosting- it's combo of whipped cream and cream cheese frosting, not too sweet, not too tangy. I love it. http://allrecipes.com/recipe/140837/sturdy-whipped-cream-frosting/

I like that there isn't a ton of sugar and feel better about using it for first bday cakes.

I don't have a favorite cake recipe he so following this. I've made yellow cakes from weelicious and the kitchn and both were good but not great.

@regberadaisy: for how long? I store it in the refrigerator but can take it out for a couple hours and it's fine. But I haven't tried longer than that. But definitely better than just whipped cream would.

cooks illustrated has an amzing sour cream chocolate bundt cake. I love that there's no frosting - one less step
http://www.cooksillustrated.com/recipes/1402-chocolate-sour-cream-bundt-cake?ref=new_search_experience_1&incode=MCSCD00L0

Also, not technically a cake, but smitten kitchen's double chocolate banana bread is sinful.
http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2014/03/double-chocolate-banana-bread/

Chocolate Sheet Cake: http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/the_best_chocol/

I omit the pecans...we're not "nut in our cake" type people!

Carrot Cake: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/carrot-cake-cupcakes-recipe.html

critical here is that I use a zester not a grater. I think it makes them even better because the carrot "strips" are smaller.

Pumpkin Cupcakes: http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/pumpkin-cupcakes-with-cream-cheese-frosting

great and just SO easy...but kind of seasonal!

oh and I forgot about this one...So amazing!!!!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/beattys-chocolate-cake-recipe.html

This lemon coconut bundt cake recipe is so easy, and so moist and delicious. My friends always request this for potlucks etc. It converts pretty easily to 2 layers or cupcakes too:

http://epicureanvegan.com/2010/05/18/coconut-lemon-bundt-cake/

This banana cake with cream cheese icing is AMAAAZZZIIINNNNGGGGG. My MIL, who has baked cakes for a living, asks for some to take home, which is like the time that my neat-freak mother asked me what I do to keep my shower so clean (answer: it was a new shower insert...)

But behold...a truly magical banana cake. I have made it both in rounds/cupcake (for my homemade Daniel Tiger cake) and a 9x13 cake (for DD - kid #2, a rectangle with a "1" in sprinkles on it.)

http://www.artandthekitchen.com/moist-banana-cake-with-cream-cheese-frosting/

@littlebug: @honeybear: I just realized that littlebug and I linked the same recipe, just from different sites. Soooo gooood!!!!

@honeybear: I know what you mean, but the coconut milk in this recipe really gives it richness.

This thread makes me want all the cake!

@littlebug: Yes that is totally the best chocolate cake ever, I use it for birthday layer cakes and it makes a great cupcake too (my coworkers love it). And incidentally, it's the same one that @Kimberlybee: posted about, except Ina doesn't give credit to hersheys...

@Kimberlybee: haha yes!! It is so delicious!