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July 7, 2023 By Brandy Leave a Comment

Home » Recipes » Dessert Recipes » Cake Recipes

Classic Chocolate Cake With Chocolate Frosting (Video)

Filed Under: Cake Recipes, Dessert Recipes

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The perfect classic chocolate cake. Moist, chocolatey, and loaded with creamy chocolate frosting. Perfect for birthdays or any occasion!

You might also like our rocky road Texas sheet cake, our classic Texas sheet cake, or our mini bundt cakes!

classic chocolate cake

Watch our step by step video!

Every family needs a classic go-to chocolate cake recipe and this one is ours. I’ve talked about my love in previous posts for my yellowed, broken-down, cover-less, paperback Betty Crocker cookbook that my grandma gave me when I was 14. Over 27 years later and it’s still my go-to book for basic recipes. This chocolate cake recipe is an adaptation of the cocoa fudge cake in that cookbook, which is no longer in print.

slice of chocolate cake on white plate

Classic Chocolate Cake

This classic chocolate cake recipe has basic ingredients that you probably already have on hand and is frosted in a decadent chocolate frosting. I like this cake and frosting recipe because I don’t need baking chocolate or anything fancy. I make them with baking cocoa and the cake is rich and delicious and the frosting is chocolatey and creamy.

chocolate cake with fork

Chocolate Cocoa Cake Ingredients

  • Milk + lemon juice: I don’t usually have buttermilk on hand so this is a great substitute. If you’d prefer to use buttermilk you can.
  • Butter: I prefer using butter over Crisco or oil. I think it gives the best flavor for baked goods.
  • Sugar: White sugar works great for baking cakes and balances out bitter cocoa.
  • Eggs: For stability and richness.
  • Vanilla: A splash of homemade vanilla extract for flavor.
  • Baking Soda: Baking soda creates soft and airy baked goods.
  • Salt: I typically use kosher salt for all of my baking, but you can use whatever you’d like.
  • Flour: I always bake with all-purpose flour, but you can use cake flour too. If using cake flour, add an extra 1/4 cup.
  • Cocoa Powder (Baking Cocoa): I’ve made this recipe with regular baking cocoa and Hershey’s Special Dark cocoa. Both are delicious, it just depends on what flavor you prefer! The photos shown here are from a cake baked with special dark cocoa.

Creamy Chocolate Frosting Ingredients

  • Butter: Softened butter is beaten with the frosting ingredients for a creamy frosting. I always bake with salted butter, but you can use unsalted butter.
  • Cocoa Powder: special dark or regular cocoa.
  • Vanilla: Add a splash of vanilla for flavor.
  • Milk: You can also use heavy cream. Start with 2 Tbsp. and add an additional teaspoon or two if needed to get the consistency you want.

chocolate cake on plate

How To Make A Classic Chocolate Cake

(scroll to the end for an easy-to-follow recipe card)

pan of chocolate cake

Step 1: Chocolate Cake Batter

If you don’t have buttermilk on hand you can combine milk and lemon juice. Mix the cake batter ingredients together and pour the batter into a prepared 9×13″ baking pan (scroll to the end of the post for baking times for different-sized baking pans).

Step 2: Bake the Cake

Bake the cake for 30-35 minutes then allow the cake to cool completely in the pan.

chocolate frosting on electric beaters

Step 3: Make Chocolate Frosting

Beat the chocolate frosting ingredients together. Spread frosting over cake then immediately add sprinkles, if desired.

chocolate cake with sprinkles

This cake makes 12-24 servings. Store leftovers in the pan, covered with plastic to keep the slices fresh.

slice of chocolate cake on plate

Classic Chocolate Cake With Chocolate Frosting Recipe

slice of chocolate cake on white plate

Classic Chocolate Cake With Chocolate Frosting

The perfect classic chocolate cake. Moist, chocolatey, and loaded with creamy chocolate frosting. Perfect for birthdays or any occasion!
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Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
Servings: 24 slices
Calories: 208kcal

Ingredients

Chocolate Cake Batter

  • 1 1/2 cups milk or buttermilk
  • 2 Tbsp. lemon juice omit if using buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup butter softened
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2/3 cups baking cocoa regular or dark

Chocolate Frosting

  • 1/2 cup butter softened
  • 1/3 cup baking cocoa
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2-3 Tbsp. milk

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    Grease a 9x13" baking pan (see notes for baking in different-sized cake pans).
  • Combine milk and lemon juice in a small bowl. Set aside.
  • Beat butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla together until smooth.
  • Add milk and beat until combined.
  • Add baking soda, salt, baking cocoa, and flour. Beat on low for 30 seconds then on med-high for 3 minutes. Scrape sides with a rubber spatula, as necessary.
  • Pour batter into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Allow cake to cool completely.
  • Beat frosting ingredients together. Spread over cake. Sprinkle with sprinkles, if desired.

Notes

Baking times for various baking pans:
  • 9x13" pan: 30-35 minutes.
  • 2 round pans: 25-30 minutes.
  • Bundt pan: 40-45 minutes.
  • Cupcakes: 18-20 minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 208kcal
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About Brandy

Welcome! I'm Brandy, mother to 5 darling kiddos and a cute black lab named Toby. My husband is in the Coast Guard so we've lived all over the place, turning each house into a home. I love baking, sewing, making cute things with my kids, and sharing what I've learned with all of you!

Disclaimer: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com without any additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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