Chocolate Lover’s Chocolate Cake
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A dark chocolate cake with a rich and creamy chocolate frosting — this is the ultimate chocolate cake for chocolate lovers.
Photo by Alexandra Grablewski (Chronicle Books, 2018)
When my kids were babies, I started a baking business specializing in cakes and cupcakes. Before I opened, I tested every yellow cake and chocolate cake recipe under the sun, often baking into the wee hours. My husband would wake up in the morning to find the countertops covered with cakes and cupcakes. He thought I’d lost my mind—little did he know I was just discovering my passion for creating recipes, which was the spark for starting my blog. This rich chocolate cake (the layer cake version of my chocolate cupcakes) is a standout from those early baking adventures.
The cake itself is wonderfully simple—a one-bowl wonder that yields a tender, deeply chocolate crumb. And the frosting, modestly adapted from Cook’s Illustrated, is fast and foolproof—a welcome change from most chocolate frostings, which can be temperamental and take hours to set. This is my son, Zach’s, favorite cake.
Table of Contents
“My search for the ultimate chocolate cake is over!”
What You’ll Need To Make Chocolate Cake
For the Cake
- All-Purpose Flour: For accurate measuring, use the spoon and level method: spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with the back of a knife.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a moist and tender crumb.
- Unsweetened Natural Cocoa Powder: Key for that rich chocolate flavor. Note that natural cocoa powder isn’t interchangeable with Dutch-process cocoa powder due to differences in acidity.
- Baking Powder and Baking Soda: These leavening agents help your cupcakes rise and become light and fluffy. (Understand the difference between baking soda vs baking powder)
- Eggs: Add structure, richness, and stability to the batter.
- Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture; oil-based cakes tend to stay moist longer than those made with butter.
- Sour Cream: Adds richness and a subtle tang.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds complexity to the overall taste.
- Boiling Water: Adds moisture and intensifies the cocoa’s flavor.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
For the Frosting
- Milk or Semi-Sweet Chocolate: Choose based on your preference for sweetness. Milk chocolate offers a milder, sweeter taste, while semi-sweet chocolate adds a deeper chocolate flavor. The quality of the chocolate can significantly affect the frosting’s flavor, so opt for a good brand.
- Butter: Make sure it’s softened but still cool, which ensures that it blends well without becoming too runny.
- Confectioners’ Sugar: This finely ground sugar, also known powdered sugar, dissolves easily, preventing any grittiness in the frosting.
- Natural Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Adds a rich and deep chocolate flavor.
- Salt: A small pinch enhances and balances the sweetness.
- Light Corn Syrup: Adds gloss and sheen to the frosting, making it smooth and spreadable. It also helps in stabilizing the texture.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds complexity of flavor.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Make the Cake Layers
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Mix on low speed for 30 seconds to combine.
Add the eggs, oil, and sour cream.
Mix on low speed until combined.
Increase the speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes. Then, reduce the speed to low and gradually pour in the hot water (be careful to pour very slowly so it doesn’t splash). The batter will be soupy. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl; mix again until evenly combined.
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
Bake for about 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool the cake layers in the pans on a rack for 10 minutes.
Invert the cakes onto a wire rack, remove the pans and cool completely.
Step 2: Make the Frosting
Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Cook in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring in between, until it’s about three-quarters of the way melted. Stir, allowing the residual heat in the bowl to melt the remaining chocolate completely.
In a food processor, combine the butter, confectioners’ sugar, cocoa powder and salt. Process until smooth, about 30 seconds, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Then add the corn syrup and vanilla.
Process until just combined, 5 to 10 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add the lukewarm melted chocolate. Pulse until smooth and creamy, 10 to 15 seconds. Do not overmix.
When the cakes have cooled, place one cake layer on a serving plate. Using an icing spatula or butter knife, spread about 3/4 cup of the frosting over the first layer. Top with the second layer, then spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake, swirling decoratively.
Frequently Asked Questions
This cake keeps quite well, so you can definitely make it 1 to 2 days ahead of time. Store it in a cake dome or airtight container at room temperature.
The cake layers can be frozen without the frosting for up to 3 months. Let them cool completely, wrap them individually in plastic wrap, and then in foil. Thaw them overnight on the countertop before assembling and frosting the cake.
Yes, but keep in mind that since the batter will be deeper in 8-inch pans, the cakes may require a longer baking time. One advantage of using smaller pans is that the resulting cakes will be thicker, giving you the option to cut each cake layer horizontally to create more layers, which can be especially appealing if you’re aiming for a multi-layered cake with additional frosting or filling between each layer.
You May Also Like
- Chocolate Lover’s Chocolate Cupcakes
- Yellow Cake with Rich Chocolate Buttercream
- Chocolate Bundt Cake
- Rainbow Sprinkle Funfetti Cake
- Red Velvet Cupcakes
- German Chocolate Cake
Chocolate Cake
A dark chocolate cake with a rich and creamy chocolate frosting — this is the ultimate chocolate cake for chocolate lovers.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled off with knife
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder, such as Hershey’s
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
For the Frosting
- 8 ounces semi-sweet or milk chocolate, broken into small pieces (see note)
- 2½ sticks (20 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened but still cool
- 1¼ cups confectioners' sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened natural cocoa powder, such as Hershey’s
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup light corn syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
For the Cake
- Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly butter the bottom of two 9-inch round cake pans. Line the bottoms of the pans with parchment paper, and then butter and flour the parchment and the sides of the pans. (Alternatively, replace the butter and flour with nonstick cooking spray with flour, such as Baker’s Joy or Pam with Flour.)
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Mix on low speed for 30 seconds to combine. Add the eggs, oil, sour cream, and vanilla and mix on low speed until combined.
- Increase the speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes. Then, reduce the speed to low and gradually pour in the hot water (be careful to pour very slowly so it doesn’t splash). The batter will be soupy. Stop the mixer and scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl; mix again until evenly combined.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for about 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. While the cake is baking, prepare the frosting.
- Cool the cake layers in the pans on a rack for 10 minutes. Invert the cakes onto a wire rack, remove the pans and cool completely. When the cakes have cooled, place one cake layer on a serving plate. Using an icing spatula or butter knife, spread about ¾ cup of the frosting over the first layer. Top with the second layer, then spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake, swirling decoratively. The cake is best enjoyed fresh on the day it is made, but it will keep for 2 to 3 days stored in a cake dome at room temperature.
For the Frosting
- Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and cook in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring in between, until it's about three-quarters of the way melted. Stir, allowing the residual heat in the bowl to melt the remaining chocolate completely. (If necessary, place the chocolate back in microwave for a few seconds.) Set aside to cool.
- In a food processor, process the butter, confectioners’ sugar, cocoa powder and salt until smooth, about 30 seconds, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the corn syrup and vanilla and process until just combined, 5 to 10 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add the lukewarm melted chocolate and pulse until smooth and creamy, 10 to 15 seconds. Do not overmix.
- The frosting can be used immediately or held at room temperature for 3 to 4 hours. It may lose its shine as it sits—to bring the shine back, run a metal spoon under hot water, then wipe dry with a towel; stir the frosting with the hot spoon and it should shine right up.
- Note: If making this cake for children, I recommend using milk chocolate for the frosting (Hershey or Lindt milk chocolate bars work well). Semi-sweet chocolate will lend a more intense chocolate flavor (Ghirardelli bars for baking are ideal).
- Make-Ahead/Freezing Instructions: The cake can be made up to one day ahead of time and stored in a cake dome. The cake layers can also be frozen without the frosting for up to 3 months. Let them cool completely, wrap them individually in plastic wrap, and then in foil. Thaw overnight on the countertop before assembling and frosting the cake.
Nutrition Information
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- Per serving (16 servings)
- Calories: 550
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated fat: 15 g
- Carbohydrates: 73 g
- Sugar: 55 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Cholesterol: 69 mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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Comments
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Really great cake – I couldn’t make the frosting this time but the cake itself was delicious. Used hot coffee in place of the water to give my cocoa powder some oomph as I didn’t quite have the full amount.
Is the sour cream something that needs to be added or no?
Yes, it adds moisture and helps with leavening, so it’s definitely important to include it.
Hi Jenn, I plan on making this for a friend’s birthday this week. Sour cream is not sold where I live. Between these options I have available to me, what do you think would be the best substitute?
-Plain, unsweetened yogurt
-Mayonnaise
-Whipping cream with lemon juice added (this one makes me a little hesitant because it ruined another chocolate recipe I tried it with in the past)
Thanks for your help! I always appreciate your recipes.
Hi Adrienne, I’d go with the plain yogurt. Use Greek yogurt if you can find it; otherwise strain the regular yogurt so it’s a bit thicker. (To strain: Place whole milk plain yogurt in a fine sieve lined with cheesecloth, a coffee filter, or a plain white paper towel. Set over a bowl and refrigerate for a few hours to allow the liquid to drain. You will need about 2X as much regular yogurt as it will lose volume once drained.)
This cake was amazing!! I made it for my son’s 7th birthday and it was a huge hit. I didn’t use the same icing because I needed traditional buttercream to turn it into a tiger cake 😃, but the cake itself was moist and flavorful (and still good 3 days later)! Jenn, your recipes are so reliable and tasty and easy! Thank you!
Will Perugina Italian milk chocolate bars work for the frosting on this cake? Thanks!!!
Hi Jane, I’ve never worked with Perugina chocolate, but I suspect it should work. Hope you enjoy!
Hi Jenn, is it possible to bake this in a 13 x 9 pan? (for easier transport) Or should I follow your chocolate cupcake measurements, since they are slightly less? Thanks, love your cookbooks and recipes, and looking forward to making this one!
Sure, Julia, you can use a 9 x 13“ pan. I’d start checking for doneness at 35 to 45 minutes. Hope everyone enjoys!
I have just made this recipe following all the instructions , I had substituted corn syrup with glucose , and used Spanish dark cacao powder instead of Hershey’s , and it turned out great , I haven’t tasted this delicacy even when I bought chocolate from bakeries or dessert shops , for better experience keep in the fridge for a while before devouring it
I love so many of your recipes, Jenn. Thank You.
Is it okay to bake this cake in a bundt cake pan?
Thanks,
Jennifer
Hi Jennifer, Glad you like the recipes! I haven’t tried making this in a Bundt pan and because things tend to stick to Bundts, I’d be hesitant to suggest it – sorry!
This cake is excellent….Have made it from your cookbook many times. I now see that all your cookbook recipes are now on the blog…. so exactly what was the point of me purchasing these recipes? Definitely wont be buying the second instalment. Very disappointing.
Hi Talia, So glad you enjoyed the cake! Both books include 70 brand new recipes and 30 favorites from the blog. Once published, I share a handful of the new recipes on the blog to promote the book. I do have photos of all the book recipes in my recipe index, but if you click on the photos, most take you to a page to purchase the book, like this. Sorry for any confusion!
Just wanted to say, I was a bit confused too seeing book recipes on the blog. But I don’t care, as I think talented people like you should be supported !
Love your books and recipes! Please do more 🙂
Agree, 100%. I like the convenience of being able to filter through the website for recipes, but supporting women chefs and small businesses is important to me! Also, I made this cake for my son’s 18th birthday today. Looks amazing and I can’t wait to dig in after dinner tonight!
Hi Jenn, can the frosting be made ahead of time? What’s the best way to store it? (I plan on making it this morning, but frosting the cake later in the day after transporting it to the birthday girl’s house). Thanks!
Hi Diane, I think I’m weighing in to late to help, but for future reference, the frosting can be used immediately or held at room temperature for 3 to 4 hours. It may lose its shine as it sits — to bring the shine back, run a metal spoon under hot water, then wipe dry with a towel; stir the frosting with the hot spoon and it should shine right up. Hope the cake came out well!
Hi Jenn! Can the icing be piped and hold its shape?
Unfortunately, this wouldn’t be appropriate for piping – sorry!
I made this for the first time yesterday for my husband’s birthday. He had requested a plain dark chocolate cake and this fit the bill beautifully! We had a family get together and everybody loved it. The frosting is too die for and the cake is incredibly moist. I took it out of the oven even though I wasn’t quite sure that both layers were completely done. Glad I followed my instinct. I’ll be making this as my go to chocolate cake from now on. Loved it!
Hi Jen I love your recipes but when will you start using weight rather than cups? It’s really the only way to ensure accurate results every time.
Hi Gillian, The great majority of my recipes (including this one) include conversions to metric/weight measurements. To view them, scroll down to the recipe, and immediately under the recipe title on the right side, you’ll see a little toggle. If you move it from “cup measures” to metric, you’ll see measurements that will work for you. Hope that helps!