There’s not much that cake can’t fix. A day-long headache. An awful date. A freezing cold day. Especially when it’s a no-fuss, classic cake. You know, the kind that you’d make with a box mix for a 5th birthday party. The kind you’d find at diner under a bright light and glass dome. They strike a cord in your soul somehow. There’s just pure good stuff waiting for you in that cake.

I went into this baking hour with hopes to make something dramatic. Multi-layers. Two different kinds of frostings. Designed and decorated. But with no surprise, I ended up with this. When it comes to dessert, actually most food, fancy isn’t my style. I want that comforting cake that can cure my bad day or cheer up a friend. The one that’s about how it tastes. And how it makes you feel. Eat it breakfast, or at 1am after a Story of My Life dance party with friends.

It’s simple. It’s warming. It’s not made from a box. And it’s right in front of you.

Whipped Chocolate Frosting

• 3 sticks (12 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 6 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled
• 5 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups confectioners’ sugar

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter until fluffy.
2. Add chocolate, cream, and vanilla, and continue to beat until smooth.
3. Add confectioners’ sugar in parts until it’s all incorporated.
4. Frost on a cooled cake like this classic vanilla from Martha.