CHOCOLATE POUND CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Use a 8 x 4 x 2 1/2" loaf pan, (4 cups) or any 6 cup loaf pan or fluted tube pan, greased and floured.
• In a medium mixing bowl whisk together the cocoa and water until smooth.
• Allow to cool to room temperature and lightly whisk in the vanilla and eggs.
• In a large mixing bowl combine the remaining dry ingredients and mix on low speed for 30 seconds to blend.
• Add 1/2 the chocolate mixture and the butter.
• Mix on low speed until the dry ingredients are moistened.
• Increase to medium speed and beat for 1 minute to develop the cake's structure. Scrape down the sides.
• Gradually add the remaining chocolate mixture in 2 batches, beating 20 seconds after each addition to incorporate the ingredients and strengthen the structure. Scrape down the sides.
• Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface with a spatula.
• The batter will be almost 1/2 inch from the top of a 4-cup pan.
• (if your pan is slightly smaller, use any excess batter for cupcakes.) Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, (40 to 50 minutes in a fluted tube pan) or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Place loosely with buttered foil over the cake after 20 minutes to prevent over browning.
• The cake should start to shrink away from the sides of the pan only after removal from the oven.
• Let the cake cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes.
• Loosen the sides with a metal spatula and invert onto a greased wire rack.
• If baked in a loaf pan, to keep the bottom from splitting, reinvert so that the top is up and cool completely before wrapping airtight.
• TOPPING: This is for extra moistness and gives a subtle coffee accent.
• In a small pan, stir together 1/4 cup water and 2 Tbsp sugar.
• Bring to a full rolling boil.
• Cover and remove from heat. When cool, add 1 tbsp Kahlua.
• When cake is baked, brush half the syrup onto the top.
• Cool the cake 10 minutes and invert it onto a lightly greased rack.
• Brush the bottom and sides with remaining syrup.
• Reinvert onto rack, top side up, to finish cooling.