The Best Chocolate Cake
This recipe for chocolate cake is a recipe I’ve been making for years (decades, really). It’s so easy to make and it’s perfect with my favorite chocolate frosting. It’s pretty much the only cake I make every year for my husband on his birthday because he loves it so much. The cake is made from just a few ingredients you probably have handy in your pantry and takes just a few steps to put together. My secret ingredient in this cake is the hot coffee. People ask me all the time if the coffee makes the cake taste like actual coffee, and my answer is no. All it does is enhance the flavor of the chocolate because chocolate and coffee share the same flavor profile and it gives it a nice, rich, chocolatey flavor. You’ll love it!
Flour – I use regular all-purpose flour in my cake. You can use cake flour, which is a low protein four milled into a fine consistency. Either will work. The cake flour will make the cake a bit more airy and delicate. Sugar – We use granulated white sugar because not only does it add sweetness to the cake but it keeps our cake soft and moist. Cocoa Powder – I recommend a high grade cocoa powder like Hershey’s baking cocoa powder. Salt – A must in cakes because it enhances the flavors of all the other ingredients. Leavening agents – Both baking soda and baking powder. We use both because there is acid from the buttermilk which creates carbon dioxide so baking soda is not enough to leaven the volume of batter. This is why baking powder is needed to add the necessary lift. Buttermilk – This adds a bit of pleasant tanginess to cakes, while adding very little fat. It also helps tenderize gluten, giving the cake a softer texture and more body. Eggs – Eggs are a must in cakes, not only do they add structure, color and flavor, but they also help provide the height and texture needed in cakes. Oil – Any vegetable oil will work. Vegetable oil contributes to the moistness of cakes. Since butter solidifies at room temperature, you want to use oil because they will be much moister than their butter-based counterparts. Vanilla – Like salt, vanilla extract is a must in this chocolate cake, because it enhances the flavor of the other ingredients. Coffee – Regular hot coffee will work fine. The coffee enhances the flavor of the chocolate because chocolate and coffee share the same flavor profile and it gives it a nice, rich, chocolatey flavor.
How To Make The Best Chocolate Cake
Tips
Leftovers
When storing leftover cake, store it under a cake cover, wrap or foil and keep it on the counter for up to 2 days. Additionally, store it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to 1 week. Ideally your cake can be stored in the freezer before adding the frosting. But, if you do wish to freeze it after fully prepping it, make sure you wrap it neatly and store it in an airtight container before freezing for 3 to 4 months.
More Delicious Cake Recipes To Try
Coffee Cake LoafGerman Chocolate CakeHummingbird CakeBanana Chocolate Chip Coffee CakeChocolate Cherry CakeSour Cream Coffee CakeCarrot CakeChocolate Banana BreadSticky Toffee PuddingChocolate Bundt CakeBlack Velvet Cake
