The cake represents Marianne's journey through her emotional highs and lows, with its richness and depth mirroring the complexity of her character as she navigates relationships and self-discovery.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Add buttermilk, oil, vanilla, and egg. Beat until smooth.
Stir in hot water until the batter is thin.
Pour into a greased 9-inch round pan.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.