This deliciously moist chocolate cake is then paired with rich and creamy chocolate frosting to make it a chocolate lover's dream.
Prep Time30 minutesmins
Cook Time30 minutesmins
Total Time1 hourhr
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cake, chocolate, frosting
Servings: 12servings
Author: Sam
Ingredients
Cake
1 1/4cupsunsweetened cocoa powder
2 1/2cupsall-purpose flour
2 1/2cupssugar
2 1/2teaspoonsbaking soda
1 1/4teaspoonsbaking powder
1 1/4teaspoonssalt
2large eggs and 1 large egg yolkroom temperature
1 1/4cupswarm water
1 1/4cupsbuttermilk
1/2cupplus 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 1/2teaspoonsvanilla extract
Frosting
1cupunsalted buttersoftened to room temperature
4 1/2cupspowdered sugar
3/4cupunsweetened cocoa powder
1/2cupwhole milk
1tablespoonlight corn syrup
1/8teaspoonsalt
2teaspoonsvanilla extract
Instructions
Cake
With the baking rack in the middle of the oven, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Prepare your 9-inch round pans by cutting a piece of parchment paper to line the bottom of the pan. Grease the pans, place the parchment paper in the bottom of the pan and lightly grease again. Then lightly dust the pans with flour.
In a large mixing bowl or in the bowl of a stand mixer, sift together the cocoa, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add the eggs, yolk, warm water, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Mix on low speed, scraping the bowl down as needed, until everything is smooth and combined. Continue mixing for 2-3 minutes.
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake the cakes for about 28-30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean or with moist crumbs. Be careful not to overbake! Remove the pans from the oven and set on a wire rack to cool for 15 minutes. Gently run a thin knife around the edges of the pans and turn out the cakes, removing the parchment paper liners from the bottom of the cakes. Let the cakes cool completely, top sides ups, on a wire rack. Note: to speed up this process you can place the cakes in the refrigerator or freezer for 10-15 minutes.
Frosting
In a large mixing bowl or in the bowl of a stand mixer using the whisk attachment, beat the butter on high speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Sift the sugar and cocoa together. On low speed, gradually add the sugar and cocoa to the butter. Then add the milk, corn syrup, salt, and vanilla. Once combined, increase to high speed and beat for 3 minutes. Frosting should lighten in color and be light and fluffy. Add an additional tablespoon or so of sugar or milk if needed to reach your desired consistency.
Assembly
If needed, trim the tops of the cakes with a serrated knife to create a flat surface (be careful!). Place about a tablespoon of frosting onto the middle of your cake plate or stand and place your first cake layer (you want to use the flattest layer for the base) onto the stand. Stick small pieces of parchment paper under the cake to keep extra frosting from getting on the stand. Spread about 1/2 -3/4 cup of frosting on top and spread out to the edges. Next top with your second cake layer and frost like you did the first layer. Now place your third layer on top and spread the remaining frosting over the top and down the sides of the cake. Remove the parchment paper and enjoy!
Notes
Like I said before this recipe makes a lot of cake. I bake this in 9-inch round pans that are 1 1/2 inches tall and I make three layers. If using pans with higher sides, maybe 3 inches, you should be ok with making two layers. The frosting calls for light corn syrup which I keep on hand for things like chocolate ganache, but you can leave it out or sub with additional milk. Also, the frosting calls for whole milk, which I never have on hand so I put about 1 tablespoon of heavy cream with my 1% milk and it worked beautifully.This chocolate cake recipe is from Mel's Kitchen Cafe and the frosting is from Sally's Baking Addiction - two of my go to food blogs!