Chocolate Cake
A rich and moist chocolate cake with a soft, tender crumb, layered with smooth chocolate buttercream for a classic, bakery-style cake you can easily make at home.
Prep Time25 minutes mins
Cook Time30 minutes mins
Keyword: chocolate cake, chocolate cake recipe
Servings: 2 8-inch layers
Calories: 510kcal
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup whole milk room temperature
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup hot water or hot coffee for deeper flavor
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Grease and line two 8-inch cake pans with parchment.
In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
Mix in vanilla.
Mix in sour cream until smooth.
Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk:
dry > milk > dry > milk > dry
Mix just until combined.
Slowly mix in hot water (or coffee). Batter will be thin — that’s normal.
Divide batter evenly between pans.
Bake for 28–32 minutes, until: centers are set and toothpick comes out clean
Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
Serving: 1slice | Calories: 510kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 25g | Sugar: 42g