This is the best chocolate cake recipe! Frosted with Chocolate Frosting, this fudgy and moist cake is the perfect birthday cake! Add some sprinkles and enjoy with a big glass of milk!
Do you love the taste of a classic chocolate cake? This old fashioned chocolate cake recipe is perfect for bakers of all skill levels. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create this delicious dessert in no time! Plus, it’s a delicious cake that is easy to customize with your favorite frosting or toppings.
If you love the taste of a rich and chocolatey cake, this great recipe for an old fashioned chocolate layer cake is perfect for any occasion, especially a birthday party, and it’s so easy to make! You’ll love the delicious chocolate flavor.
How to make old-fashioned chocolate cake recipe
Cake Ingredients
- unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- sugar
- eggs, at room temperature
- vanilla extract
- all-purpose flour
- baking soda
- baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 1/4 cup water, boiling
- parchment paper
- 3 8″ round cake pans
- large bowl
- chocolate buttercream frosting
Original Recipe for Classic Chocolate Cake
First things first: Grease and flour 3 8” round cake pans, then line the bottom of the pans with round parchment paper. Set aside.
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
Next, combine butter, white and brown sugar, eggs and vanilla until well blended in a medium-size bowl.
In a separate large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
In a medium bowl, mix the cocoa powder with a little boiling water until well combined and no lumps remain.
Alternating between the two, slowly add dry ingredients and cocoa mixture to the bowl with the butter and sugar.
Mix on low speed to incorporate ingredients.
Pour cake batter evenly between the three prepared tins.
Bake your chocolate cakes until a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
Allow your cake layers to cool for about 10 minutes before you transfer the cakes from the pans to a wire cooling rack.
Let the chocolate cakes cool on the wire rack for another 15 minutes.
For the best result, your delicious chocolate cake should no longer be warm to the touch when you frost the cake.
Time-Saving Tip: Make the cakes the night before serving and cover the baking pans with foil or plastic wrap once cool to the touch. Cakes will be ready to frost the next day.
How to assemble your chocolate cake
Let me suggest using my very best chocolate buttercream frosting recipe to ice this cake!
To assemble the cake, place the first layer top-side down on a cake plate.
Add 1/3 of the frosting to the top of the cake layer and spread it out evenly.
Take the second layer and level off the rounded top with a knife or cake leveler.
Place the second layer on top of the first layer, top-side down. Add frosting to this layer and spread out evenly.
Repeat this with the 3rd layer, and spread the remaining frosting out on the top layer.
Slice and serve your chocolate cake immediately. Enjoy!
There are a few different ways that you can decorate a chocolate cake. One option is to simply decorate with powdered sugar or chocolate shavings on top of the cake.
Another option is to make a chocolate ganache or a white chocolate cake drip and pour it over the cake. Whatever you decide to do, just make sure that the flavor of the chocolate comes through!
For decorations, you can use anything you like – edible flowers, chopped nuts, sprinkles, etc. Just have fun with it!
Assuming you store your chocolate cake in an airtight container in the fridge, it should be good for 3-4 days. Of course, if you have a chance to eat it sooner, that’s always best! After a few days, the cake will start to dry out and won’t be as fresh tasting.
Old Fashioned Chocolate Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 c. unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 2½ c. granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 t. real vanilla extract
- 3 c. all-purpose flour
- 2 t. baking soda
- 1 t. baking powder
- ½ t. salt
- 1 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2¼ c. boiling water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Grease and flour 3 8” round cake pans, then line bottom with round parchment paper. Set aside.
- Cream the butter and sugars in a large mixing bowl.
- Add in the eggs and vanilla and mix until well blended.
- In a separate large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix the cocoa powder and boiling water in a medium bowl until well combined and no lumps remain.
- Alternating between the two, slowly add dry ingredients and chocolate mixture to the bowl with the butter and sugar.
- Mix on low speed to incorporate ingredients.
- Divide the cake batter evenly between the three cake pans and place in the pre-heated oven.
- Bake 22-28 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and set aside to cool for approximately 10 minutes before transferring the cakes from the pans to a wire rack to cool completely, approximately 10-15 more minutes.
- Cakes should no longer be warm to the touch before frosting.
- Make Chocolate Buttercream Frosting recipeTo assemble the cake, place the first layer top-side down on a cake plate.
- Add 1/3 of the frosting to the top of the cake layer and spread it out evenly.
- Take the second layer and level off the rounded top with a knife or cake leveler. Place the second layer on top of the first layer, top-side down.
- Add frosting to this layer and spread out evenly.
- Repeat this with the 3rd layer, and spread the remaining frosting out on the top layer.
- Slice and serve your chocolate cake immediately.
Notes
Time-Saving Tip: Make the cakes the night before serving and cover the baking pans with foil or plastic wrap once cool to the touch. Cakes will be ready to frost the next day.
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What kind of cake is your favorite?
If you are a chocolate lover, check out my favorite cake recipes like a slow cooker gooey chocolate cake, chocolate cake donuts, Whoopie Pies made with Chocolate Cake Mix Recipe, Texas Sheet Cake, chocolate mayonnaise cake, Cakesicles, or Hot Chocolate Cupcakes!
20 Decadent Chocolate Desserts | Teaspoon of Goodness
Friday 6th of December 2019
[…] Black Forest Truffle Cake […]
Cindy Abbate
Saturday 12th of October 2019
I would make this just for myself. Looks wonderful. Makes it easier to accept the years flowing by.
Deborah D
Saturday 12th of October 2019
Looks great and sounds delicious. I am making this for my next birthday.
Danielle
Friday 11th of October 2019
This sounds so delicious.
Alice F
Thursday 10th of October 2019
OH my goodness, this photo certainly does look decadent! There is just something about chocolate that makes me a happy girl.