Are you craving a moist, intensely chocolatey cake that's surprisingly easy to make? Then look no further! This chocolate pound cake recipe, elevated with the magic of sour cream, is the answer to your dessert dreams. It's a perfect blend of rich chocolate flavor and tender crumb, making it ideal for any occasion – from a casual weeknight treat to a sophisticated dinner party dessert. Forget boxed mixes; this homemade version is unbelievably delicious and surprisingly simple to create, even for beginner bakers. Let’s dive into this quick dinner idea that’s far from ordinary.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
- ¾ cup (60g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
- ½ cup (120ml) sour cream
- ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240ml) freshly brewed hot coffee
Instructions:
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan. This ensures your cake releases easily and prevents sticking.
- Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Make sure there are no lumps.
- Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, sour cream, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Combine: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Coffee Infusion: Slowly pour in the hot coffee while mixing on low speed. The coffee enhances the chocolate flavor beautifully.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the cake from sticking and ensures even cooling.
Tips for the Best Chocolate Pound Cake:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature ingredients helps create a smoother batter and ensures even baking.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in a tough cake. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Check for Doneness: Start checking for doneness around the 50-minute mark. Oven temperatures can vary.
- Cool Completely: Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting or slicing to prevent crumbling.
Variations:
- Add-ins: Feel free to add chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit to the batter for extra texture and flavor.
- Glaze: A simple chocolate glaze or powdered sugar dusting adds a beautiful finishing touch.
- Different Extracts: Experiment with different extracts like almond or peppermint for a unique twist.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: Around 350-400
- Fat: Around 18-20g
- Protein: Around 4-5g
- Carbohydrates: Around 45-50g
This easy chocolate pound cake recipe is a delicious addition to your repertoire of healthy meals and best recipes. It’s perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without spending hours in the kitchen. Enjoy this decadent treat!