The Ultimate Chocolate Layer Cake: A Decadent Recipe for Every Occasion

This month marks a special milestone: the one-year anniversary of the Chocolate Party! This incredible community, founded by the talented Roxana, brings together dessert lovers from all corners. To celebrate this significant occasion, Roxana proposed a delightful challenge: bake our family’s most cherished chocolate dessert. For me, narrowing it down to just one recipe was quite the delightful dilemma. However, my husband and sons made the decision easy; they are perpetually campaigning for layer cakes, specifically a rich chocolate layer cake adorned with a luscious chocolate frosting. This particular recipe has consistently won their hearts and taste buds, earning its place as a family favorite.

There’s something uniquely comforting and celebratory about a homemade chocolate layer cake. It’s not just a dessert; it’s an experience, a centerpiece, and a symbol of gathering. This recipe delivers on all fronts, promising a cake that is wonderfully moist, incredibly tender, and bursting with deep chocolate flavor. Paired with a smooth, velvety chocolate buttercream, it achieves that perfect balance of sweetness and richness that makes every bite truly unforgettable.

A Special Creation: The May Day Chocolate Layer Cake

My baking adventures often take delightful detours. Recently, I received an unexpected email from the Cardiac Cath Lab at the hospital where Bill works. They were organizing their annual themed cake event and graciously extended an invitation for me to contribute a cake. Knowing I was already planning to bake this exquisite chocolate layer cake for the Chocolate Party, I pondered how to transform it into a creation suitable for a May, June, or September theme. These felt like the more challenging, ‘leftover’ months for inspiration, but I love a creative challenge!

Inspired by the arrival of spring and the traditional Maypole, an idea sparked. I decided to insert a sturdy dowel rod into the center of the cake, allowing vibrant, dangling ribbons to cascade gracefully from its apex, mimicking a festive Maypole. A scattering of delicate pink sugar flowers completed the charming decor. Voila! My chocolate layer cake was elegantly transformed into a delightful May Day masterpiece. Bill later reported back with the ultimate compliment: by the time he made his way to sample a slice, only crumbs remained. A resounding success, indeed! This cake was unequivocally a winner. The only drawback? I probably need to bake another one for my eager family, who missed out on the beautifully decorated version due to Bill’s early departure for work. Unfortunately, with him leaving before 6 AM, I didn’t get a chance to capture a proper photograph of my fully decorated May Day cake. However, the images above showcase the cake in its glorious “before” state, a testament to its inherent beauty even prior to its May Day embellishments.

The success of this cake, whether plain or themed, lies in its perfectly balanced recipe. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating a tender crumb and deep chocolate flavor. From the precise measurements of cocoa to the inclusion of hot coffee, which surprisingly doesn’t make the cake taste like coffee but instead intensifies the chocolate, every element works in harmony. This attention to detail ensures that every slice is consistently rich, moist, and utterly satisfying. The blend of baking powder and baking soda contributes to a perfect rise and light texture, preventing the cake from becoming dense. Meanwhile, buttermilk adds an acidic component that reacts with the baking soda, not only aiding in leavening but also imparting an incredible tenderness and moisture to the cake.

Roxana has poured her heart into planning this anniversary celebration for many months. She meticulously baked a recipe from each of her twelve chocolate-loving friends, and she will be showcasing these delectable creations on her blog throughout the entire month. I am thrilled that this very chocolate layer cake is being featured today. I encourage you to visit Roxana’s Home Baking to discover more chocolate inspiration. You’ll also have a unique opportunity to share one of your own cherished chocolate recipes; simply add your link to the linky party hosted on her blog. This automatically enters you into a fantastic giveaway, offering a chance to win some truly amazing prizes from excellent sponsors. Scroll down on her blog to review all the participation rules and see the impressive list of sponsors who have contributed to this wonderful event.

Please note: The giveaway period has now concluded, and all details regarding prizes and participation have been removed.

The Recipe:

Chocolate Layer Cake

Prep Time
30 minutes

Cook Time
35 minutes

Total Time
1 hour 5 minutes

Yield
12 servings

Experience the delight of a perfectly moist, old-fashioned chocolate layer cake, generously frosted with a rich, silky chocolate buttercream. This classic dessert is guaranteed to become your new go-to recipe for any celebration or craving.

Ingredients

For the Moist Chocolate Cake:

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (high quality for best flavor)
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk (or milk with 1 tbsp lemon juice/vinegar, let sit 5 mins)
• 1/2 cup butter, melted (Land O Lakes® Butter for superior taste)
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup hot coffee (freshly brewed is best, or one cup boiling water with 2 teaspoons instant coffee)

For the Luscious Chocolate Buttercream Frosting:

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 2/3 cups powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar), sifted
• 1/3 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Prepare Baking Pans: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Generously butter two 9-inch round cake pans. Line the bottoms with parchment paper rounds and then butter the top of the parchment as well. This extra step ensures easy release and perfectly intact cake layers. Set aside.
2. Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or using a large bowl and a hand mixer, thoroughly stir together the first six ingredients: sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Ensure they are well combined. Next, add the eggs, buttermilk, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Beat the mixture on medium speed for approximately 2 minutes, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl at least once to incorporate all ingredients evenly. Finally, carefully stir in the hot coffee until the batter is smooth. The coffee enhances the chocolate flavor without imparting a coffee taste.
3. Bake the Cake Layers: Divide the prepared batter evenly between the two buttered and floured cake pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of a cake comes out clean. Avoid overbaking to maintain the cake’s moist texture. Allow the cakes to cool in their pans for about 10 minutes before carefully inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely. Gently remove the parchment paper. Ensure the cakes are completely cool before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
4. Frost When Fully Cooled: Once the cake layers have cooled completely to room temperature, they are ready to be frosted.

For the Creamy Chocolate Buttercream Frosting:

1. Prepare the Frosting: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually add the cocoa powder and sifted powdered sugar, alternating with small additions of milk. Beat on low speed until combined, then increase to medium-high and beat until the frosting reaches a smooth, spreading consistency. Add more milk, one teaspoon at a time, if a thinner consistency is desired. Stir in the vanilla extract last. This recipe yields approximately 2 cups of rich, spreadable frosting, enough to generously fill and cover a two-layer cake.

This recipe makes approximately 2 cups of rich, spreadable frosting.

Notes

This phenomenal chocolate layer cake recipe is an adaptation from two trusted sources: Foodess and Hershey’s, bringing together the best elements for a truly exceptional result.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1 slice

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 472Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 68mgSodium: 557mgCarbohydrates: 78gFiber: 2gSugar: 58gProtein: 6g

HOW MUCH DID YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE?

We’d love to hear from you! Please leave a comment on the blog below, sharing your experience, or better yet, share a photo of your beautiful creation on Pinterest. Your feedback and photos inspire us!

Baking the Perfect Chocolate Layer Cake: Expert Tips for Success

Achieving a bakery-worthy chocolate layer cake at home is entirely within reach with a few key techniques. First, always ensure your ingredients, especially butter and eggs, are at room temperature for the cake batter. This allows them to emulsify properly, creating a smooth, uniform batter that bakes evenly and results in a tender crumb. Sifting your dry ingredients – flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt – is another crucial step. Sifting removes any lumps and aerates the mixture, contributing to a lighter cake texture and ensuring that leavening agents are evenly distributed.

When it comes to mixing, resist the urge to overmix. Once the wet and dry ingredients are combined, beat only until just incorporated. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour too much, leading to a tough, dry cake. The addition of hot coffee in this recipe is a game-changer; it doesn’t make the cake taste like coffee but profoundly deepens and enriches the chocolate flavor, making it incredibly complex and satisfying. Buttermilk also plays a vital role, reacting with the baking soda to provide lift and an exceptionally moist, tender crumb that simply melts in your mouth.

For the baking process itself, pay close attention to your oven. Ovens can vary, so the specified baking time is a guideline. Start checking for doneness a few minutes before the minimum bake time. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean, or with a few moist crumbs attached, but not wet batter. Overbaking is the enemy of a moist cake! Once baked, allowing the cakes to cool in their pans for about 10-15 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack is essential. This allows the cake structure to set and prevents it from breaking. Make sure the cake layers are completely cool before you even think about applying the frosting. Warm cake will cause the buttercream to melt and slide off, leading to a messy situation.

Crafting the Ideal Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

A phenomenal chocolate cake deserves an equally phenomenal frosting. This chocolate buttercream is designed to be luscious and easy to work with. Start with softened, but not melted, butter. It should yield slightly when pressed but not be greasy. Creaming the butter thoroughly before adding other ingredients is crucial for achieving that light and fluffy texture. When adding the powdered sugar and cocoa, do so gradually and alternately with the milk. This prevents a cloud of sugar dust from coating your kitchen and ensures a smooth consistency without lumps. Always sift your powdered sugar, especially if it’s been sitting in the pantry, to avoid grainy frosting.

Adjust the consistency of your buttercream by adding milk a teaspoon at a time until it’s perfectly spreadable. For a firmer frosting (perhaps for piping details), you might need a tiny bit less milk. For a softer, more pliable frosting (ideal for smooth spreading), a touch more might be needed. The vanilla extract provides a lovely aromatic finish, complementing the deep chocolate notes. This rich, velvety frosting is not only easy to make but also incredibly delicious, providing the perfect counterpoint to the moist chocolate layers. It’s truly the crowning glory of this ultimate chocolate layer cake, transforming it into a luxurious treat that will impress everyone who tries it. This cake is truly a celebration in every slice, a testament to the simple joy of homemade goodness.

Disclosure: I was given a coupon for Land O Lakes® Butter for participating in this Chocolate Party. I was not paid by nor required to mention Land o’ Lakes in this blog post.