Ingredients:

  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • 1 cup plain milk kefir
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup neutral oil
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup cocoa powder
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 4 tbsp milk or kefir

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan with oil and line the bottom with a circle of parchment paper.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the 1½ cups all-purpose flour, ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 tsp baking soda, and ½ tsp kosher salt until uniform and free of clumps.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk the 2 large eggs, 1 cup plain milk kefir, ½ cup neutral oil, and 2 tsp vanilla extract until smooth and slightly frothy.
  4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Using a spatula, stir gently until the flour streaks disappear; do not over-mix.
  5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
  6. Bake for 50-55 minutes. The cake is ready when the edges slightly pull away from the pan and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached.
  7. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes to set the structure.
  8. Carefully invert the cake onto a wire cooling rack and allow it to cool completely.
  9. To prepare the glaze, whisk ½ cup cocoa powder, 2 cups powdered sugar, and 4 tbsp milk or kefir until smooth. Pour the glaze over the completely cooled cake.