Description
This Decadent Chocolate Cake recipe delivers a rich, moist, and flavorful chocolate experience perfect for any celebration or indulgent treat. With a tender crumb and luscious homemade cocoa frosting, this classic cake is sure to satisfy chocolate lovers everywhere.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 cup whole milk or buttermilk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Frosting Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
- ¼ cup milk or cream
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two round 9-inch baking pans to ensure the cake doesn’t stick.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, beat the eggs, milk (or buttermilk), vegetable oil, and vanilla extract together until smooth and fully blended.
- Blend Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined; avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender.
- Bake the Cakes: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake on the middle rack for 30 to 35 minutes. The cakes are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Cakes: Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes. Then, remove from pans and transfer to wire racks to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare the Frosting: Beat the room temperature unsalted butter until creamy. Gradually add the cocoa powder, then sift in the powdered sugar alternately with the milk or cream, beating to a smooth and spreadable consistency.
- Frost the Cake: Once the cakes are completely cool, spread the frosting evenly over the top of one cake layer. Place the second layer on top and frost the top and sides of the entire cake as desired.
Notes
- Room temperature eggs and butter help achieve the best texture and consistency.
- Using buttermilk instead of whole milk will add slight tang and extra moisture.
- Make sure not to overmix the batter to prevent a dense cake.
- Sifting powdered sugar and cocoa powder before mixing improves frosting texture.
- The cake is best stored covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for longer freshness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 40 g
- Sodium: 370 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: chocolate cake, homemade chocolate cake, chocolate cake recipe, moist chocolate cake, chocolate frosting, dessert, celebration cake
