Are you craving a rich, intensely chocolatey dessert that's surprisingly easy to make? Then look no further! This decadent chocolate cake with luscious chocolate cream cheese frosting is the perfect recipe for satisfying your sweet tooth. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a kitchen novice, this recipe guarantees a delicious homemade treat that will impress your family and friends. It's the ultimate comfort food, perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or simply a delightful weeknight indulgence. This recipe offers quick dinner ideas for those busy weeknights, transforming a simple cake into a special occasion dessert. It's one of those best recipes that always delivers.
Ingredients:
For the Chocolate Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee
For the Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
Making the Chocolate Cake:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans. This ensures your cake layers bake evenly and release easily.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This dry ingredient mixture forms the base of your delicious chocolate cake.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Combining the wet ingredients separately helps create a smooth batter.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing to prevent a tough cake.
- Gradually add the hot coffee to the batter, mixing until smooth. The coffee enhances the chocolate flavor beautifully.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Check for doneness regularly to avoid overbaking.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Making the Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting:
- In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy. Make sure your cream cheese and butter are at room temperature for a smoother consistency.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder, beating on low speed until combined. Then increase the speed and beat for another 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Stir in the vanilla extract and salt. The vanilla adds a touch of warmth and complements the rich chocolate flavor.
Assembling the Cake:
- Once the cakes are completely cool, frost the top of one layer with a generous amount of the chocolate cream cheese frosting.
- Carefully place the second cake layer on top and frost the entire cake with the remaining frosting.
Tips and Variations:
- For a richer chocolate flavor, use dark cocoa powder.
- Add chocolate chips to the cake batter for extra chocolatey goodness. This adds a delightful textural element to your cake.
- If you don't have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.
- Get creative with your frosting! Add sprinkles, chocolate shavings, or fresh berries for extra flair.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
Calories: Approximately 450-500 (This will vary based on specific ingredients and serving size)
This delicious chocolate cake with chocolate cream cheese frosting is a simple yet impressive dessert that's perfect for any occasion. It's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, a fantastic example of easy recipes and healthy meals (relatively speaking!), and a testament to the joy of homemade cooking. Enjoy!