Sidetracked Quest Yields Treasure

Sidetracked, as I am, with this whole elevation and baking issue, I was Googling around this evening and came across this site hosted by New Mexico State Cooperative Extension.  Not only does it have some great explanations of why cakes fall and what you can do about it, it also has recipes.  YES!

These recipes have already been adjusted for 5000 feet elevation.  Those hard working extension agents then went the extra mile and gave adjustments for 7500 and 10,000 feet!  As I scrolled down through the recipes, I found quite a few I want to try.  The first I think, in memory of the erupting Mount Chocula, will be a Fudge Cake.  Here is the recipe:

FUDGE CAKE

5,000 ft Oven temperature: 350°
4 squares unsweetened chocolate (4 ounces)
1/2 cup shortening
2 cups sifted cake flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 1/4 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups milk (refrigerator temperature)
3 eggs (refrigerator temperature)
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup nuts, chopped and floured (optional)

Directions

• Grease and flour pans or line with waxed paper.
• Melt chocolate and shortening together and cool slightly.
• Mix and sift flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar into mixer bowl. (Reserve 1 Tbsp for flouring nuts, if used.)
• Add milk, eggs, and vanilla.
• Beat 30 seconds on low speed, scraping frequently.
• Add melted and slightly cooled chocolate shortening mixture.
• Beat 7 1/2 minutes on medium high speed of upright mixer or 7 1/2 minutes on high speed of portable mixer, scraping several times.
• Stir in floured nuts, if used; pour batter into pans.
• Bake at 350°

Two squares, 8-inch: approximately 48 minutes.
28 cupcakes (two-thirds full): 30-35 minutes.

• Remove from oven and cool in pan about 12 minutes.
• Remove from pan and finish cooling own rack.

Altitude Adjustments
7,500 ft:
Reduce baking powder to l 1/2 tsp. Increase baking temperature tow 375°,
10,000 ft:
Reduce baking powder to l 1/2 tsp. Reduce sugar to 2 cups. Increase baking temperature to 375°

I'll post pics of the finished product.