Apple and Cocoa Cake

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup butter (softened)
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk (or regular milk with 1 tbsp lemon juice)
• 2 medium apples (peeled, cored, and chopped)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
2. In a bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a separate large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
6. Fold in the chopped apples gently.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top.
8. Bake for about 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.