Pareve chocolate cake is a great dessert for any Shabbat meal. It’s easy, simple, and makes everyone happy. Use this great recipe to impress your guests or family. Be careful – it’s so good, they’ll always be asking for more. For Israeli coffee to go with your cake, check out our coffee gallery. 

Ingredients: 

· 1 1/2 cups sugar 
· 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 
· 3/4 tsp. salt 
· 1/3 cup canola oil 
· 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda 
· 1 1/2 cups hot water 
· 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
· 2 large eggs 
· 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 
· 1/8 cup sifted confectioner's sugar (optional) 

Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 13x9x2 inch pan with vegetable oil spray.(You can make a deeper, smaller version of this cake in a 9x9x2 inch pan, just bake it for 30-35 minutes until cake tester or toothpick comes out nearly clean.) Put sugar, cocoa, and salt in a large mixer bowl. Add oil, but don't mix yet. 

In a measuring cup, put baking soda and add the hot water. The mixture will bubble a bit. Add the baking soda/water mixture to the cocoa mixture, and beat until cool, about 1 minute. Beat in flour, then eggs, and vanilla. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan. Bake until toothpick or cake tester comes out nearly clean, about 25 minutes. 

Cool cake in pan on a rack 10 minutes and invert onto rack to cool completely. Sprinkle with confectioner's sugar, if desired. Serves 12-15. 

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