Description
This Ultimate Bakery-Style Chocolate Cake is rich and moist, perfect for any celebration or cozy dessert night.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup hot coffee
- 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Chocolate curls (optional)
- Chopped chocolate chunks (optional)
- Extra frosting swirls (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and line two 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
- Whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
- Add in the eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
- Gradually introduce the hot coffee into the mixture until the batter is glossy and thin.
- Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Allow the chocolate cake layers to cool completely before frosting.
- Beat the softened butter for the buttercream until fluffy, then slowly add in the powdered sugar and cocoa powder.
- Mix in heavy cream, vanilla, and salt until the frosting is thick and smooth.
- Layer and frost the cake, smoothing the sides with an offset spatula.
- Heat the heavy cream for the ganache until steaming, then pour it over the chocolate chips. Allow it to sit for 2 minutes before stirring until glossy.
- Drizzle the ganache around the edges of the cake for a stunning chocolate drip effect.
- Finish with frosting swirls, chocolate chunks, and curls for presentation.
- Serve the cake slightly chilled or at room temperature for the richest experience.
Notes
For best results, ensure all ingredients are at room temperature and sift the dry ingredients to avoid lumps.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: chocolate cake, bakery-style cake, rich chocolate dessert