Decadent Chocolate Cake with Creamy Frosting

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Have you been on the hunt for the quintessential chocolate cake recipe? One that boasts an incredibly moist crumb, an intense chocolate flavour, and a lusciously smooth frosting? We certainly understand the quest. A superb chocolate cake is far more than a simple sweet treat; it’s a showstopper for special occasions, a source of comfort on a quiet day, and a surefire way to lift everyone’s spirits. Your search is finally over. We’re delighted to share our tried-and-tested, infallible recipe for the most Decadent Chocolate Cake with Creamy Frosting you’ll ever have the pleasure of baking.

This is no ordinary bake. It’s the recipe we rely on consistently, the one that has earned us rave reviews every single time. It achieves a beautiful richness without being overly dense, a sweetness that’s perfectly judged, and a delicate texture that simply dissolves on the tongue. Prepare to rediscover your passion for baking.

Why This Chocolate Cake Recipe is a Keeper

Perhaps you’re curious about what sets this recipe apart. With countless chocolate cake recipes available, it’s a fair question. Here is precisely why we’re convinced this one is a cut above the rest:

Unbelievably Moist Crumb: Our secret ingredient is hot coffee, which works wonders. It not only enhances the chocolate’s depth but also contributes to a wonderfully soft and moist texture.
Deep, Rich Chocolate Flavour: The combination of unsweetened cocoa powder and hot coffee creates a layered, complex chocolate profile. It’s a bake designed for the most discerning chocolate aficionados.
Perfectly Balanced Sweetness: The cake itself possesses a profound, near-bittersweet character, which is exquisitely balanced by the sweet and luxurious buttercream frosting.
Simple, Accessible Ingredients: There’s no need for a special shopping trip for obscure items. All the ingredients for this cake are probably sitting in your cupboard or can be readily sourced from your local shop.

Gather Your Ingredients

Before diving in, we always find it best to collect and weigh all your components. This French kitchen practice, called ‘mise en place’, ensures the entire baking journey is seamless and much more pleasant. For ease, we have listed the ingredients for the cake and frosting separately.

For the Moist Chocolate Cake

250g plain flour
400g caster sugar
90g high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, at room temperature
240ml buttermilk, at room temperature
120ml vegetable oil (or other neutral oil)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
240ml freshly brewed hot coffee

For the Creamy Chocolate Frosting

225g unsalted butter, softened
375g icing sugar, sifted
65g unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
120ml double cream or whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
A pinch of salt

Step-by-Step Instructions to Baking Perfection

And now, let’s get to the best bit! We have laid out the method in straightforward, easy-to-follow stages. Stick to them, and a magnificent cake will be your prize.

Making the Moist Chocolate Cake

Prepare Your Tins: First, preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C Fan/Gas Mark 4). Thoroughly grease and flour two 9-inch round cake tins. For effortless release later on, we suggest lining the base of each tin with baking parchment.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, or the bowl of your stand mixer, sift and whisk the plain flour, caster sugar, cocoa powder, bicarbonate of soda, baking powder, and salt. This step makes sure all the dry components are well incorporated.
Mix the Wet Ingredients: Using a separate, medium-sized bowl, lightly beat the eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until they are just blended.
Combine Wet and Dry: Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients. Stir on a low speed only until they come together. It’s important not to overmix here – a lumpy batter is what you’re aiming for.
Add the Magic Ingredient: Gently and steadily, pour the hot coffee into the mixture, continuing to mix on a low speed. You’ll notice the batter is quite runny; don’t worry, this is exactly right! This is what creates a beautifully moist chocolate layer cake.
Bake the Cakes: Pour the batter, dividing it equally between your prepared tins. Place in the oven to bake for 30-35 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when a skewer pushed into the middle of each cake emerges without any wet batter attached.
Cool Completely: Allow the cakes to rest in their tins for around 15 minutes. Afterwards, gently invert them onto a wire rack to cool down completely. Ensuring they are thoroughly cooled before frosting is absolutely essential.

Whipping Up the Best Chocolate Buttercream

Cream the Butter: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric whisk or a stand mixer fitted with a paddle to beat the softened butter. Continue for approximately 2 minutes on a medium speed until it becomes pale and fluffy.
Add Sugar and Cocoa: Bit by bit, introduce the sifted icing sugar and cocoa powder, mixing on a low setting until just incorporated. Remember to pause and scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is mixed in.
Incorporate Liquids: Now, pour in the double cream, vanilla extract, and the pinch of salt. Begin mixing slowly, then turn up the speed to medium-high. Beat for a further 3-4 minutes until you have a wonderfully light, airy, and smooth frosting. This is the secret to the best chocolate buttercream.

Assembling Your Decadent Chocolate Cake

Level the Cakes: Should your cake layers have risen into a dome, take a large serrated knife and gently slice off the top to create a flat surface. (We consider these trimmings a well-deserved treat for the baker!)
First Layer: Position one of the cake layers onto your chosen serving dish or cake stand. Lavishly spread a thick layer of buttercream across the top, extending all the way to the edges.
Stack and Crumb Coat: Carefully place the second cake layer over the first. Now, apply a very thin coating of frosting to the top and sides. This technique, known as a ‘crumb coat’, is brilliant for locking in any stray crumbs. Pop the cake in the fridge for 20-30 minutes to allow this layer to firm up.
Final Frosting: After chilling, cover the cake with the rest of the frosting. Use an offset spatula or even the back of a spoon to achieve either a sleek finish or beautiful, decorative swirls. Your spectacular rich chocolate fudge cake is complete and ready for its debut!

Our Top Tips for a Flawless Cake

To help guarantee your baking adventure is a triumph, we have put together a handful of our most trusted professional tips.

Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Bringing your eggs and buttermilk to room temperature before you start is key. It allows them to blend more effectively into the batter, which results in a smoother consistency and a more even texture in the final cake.
Don’t Overmix: As you bring the wet and dry mixtures together, be sure to mix only until they are just combined. Over-working the batter develops gluten, which can make your cake tough and dense rather than light and tender.
Sift Your Dry Ingredients: Passing your flour, cocoa powder, and icing sugar through a sieve is a worthwhile step. It breaks up any clumps and incorporates air, which contributes to a lighter sponge and a silkier frosting.
The Coffee Must Be Hot: Using hot coffee is non-negotiable! The heat helps the cocoa powder to ‘bloom’, a process that unlocks its deepest, richest chocolate notes. It’s a crucial step for flavour. For more on this technique, have a look at why King Arthur Baking recommends adding coffee to chocolate.

Fun Variations to Try

Although this easy chocolate cake recipe is simply wonderful on its own, we wholeheartedly encourage you to experiment! Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

Mint Chocolate: For a timeless flavour pairing, stir 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract into the buttercream.
Raspberry Surprise: Before adding the buttercream filling, spread a delicate layer of raspberry jam over the first cake layer for a fruity twist.
Espresso Kick: For a more pronounced coffee taste, mix 1-2 teaspoons of espresso powder into the frosting at the same time as the cocoa powder.
Explore Other Bakes: If this cake becomes a favourite, why not try our light-as-air Cloud Cake Recipe for something different, or our wonderfully chewy Almond Joy Cookie Recipe for another delicious chocolate indulgence.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use a different type of cocoa powder?

Indeed you can. Our recipe is designed for natural unsweetened cocoa powder, as its natural acidity works with the bicarbonate of soda to give the cake its lift. While you can substitute it with Dutch-processed cocoa, you may find the result is a touch denser and darker in colour.

Is the coffee absolutely necessary?

The primary purpose of the coffee is to deepen the chocolate notes, rather than to add a coffee taste. If you’d rather not use it, feel free to replace it with the same quantity of hot water. Your cake will still be wonderfully tasty!

Why did my cake sink in the middle?

A dip in the centre of a cake is usually the result of opening the oven door prematurely. This allows cool air to rush in, halting the rise. It could also indicate that the cake needs a little longer in the oven. Always perform the skewer test before taking it out.

Can I make this recipe as cupcakes?

Without a doubt! This batter is perfect for making cupcakes. Just line a muffin tray with paper liners, fill each one about two-thirds of the way, and bake at the same temperature for 18-22 minutes. You should get around 24 cupcakes from this batch.

How should I store the cake?

Keep the cake in an airtight container, where it will stay fresh at room temperature for up to three days. In a particularly warm kitchen, you might prefer to keep it in the fridge; just be sure to let it return to room temperature before serving to enjoy its optimal taste and texture.

Conclusion: Your New Go-To Chocolate Cake

And there we are – our ultimate guide to creating a genuinely memorable Decadent Chocolate Cake with Creamy Frosting. We are quite sure that after baking it just once, it will become your signature recipe for birthdays, celebrations, or any day that calls for a moment of pure chocolate bliss. Each mouthful is a little celebration.

We encourage you to head to the kitchen, switch on the oven, and whip up some magic of your own. We believe baking is about so much more than instructions on a page; it’s about making special moments and lasting memories. We hope you’ll create many wonderful memories with this recipe.

Have you given our recipe a go? We would be delighted to hear all about it! Please leave a comment below to share your experience, and we’d love to see a photo of your magnificent cake!