I think you are going to LOVE this Classic Chocolate Cake {not from a box}! I have to admit that in the past I have always made chocolate cake from a box mix. I had convinced myself that it was too much trouble to make a cake from scratch and since I have never been a huge fan of cake anyway, I guess I felt like the mix was fine. Well, I can now tell you that my thinking has changed! I have found a very EASY recipe that is AMAZINGLY good, so, yes I am now officially a fan of chocolate cake…big time! Luckily, I have a family of 5 always hungry boys who LOVED this cake too, or I am sure that I would have had a very hard time not eating more than I should!
Initially, I was willing to give this recipe a try because it used items that I had on hand and it looked simple. There was no sifting of dry ingredients or bringing eggs to room temperature–I mean that seems too fussy, right?!  I love that this moist and fudgy cake comes together fast and effortlessly with fabulous results! Trust me this Classic Chocolate Cake {not from a box} is great and whoever you make it for will love you forever! I really don’t think I will ever go back to chocolate cake from a boxed mix again:)
**I am including two recipes for chocolate frosting, one is a classic buttercream, and one is a chocolate cream cheese frosting. Both are fantastic, but I usually make the butter cream, because my husband prefers it. Which do you like best?
Print
Classic Chocolate Cake {not from a box}
Description
Classic Chocolate Cake {not from a box} is easy to make and tastes fantastic! Super moist and flavorful every time!
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 3/4 cup flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk {I’ve used 1% with great results too}
- 1/2 cup melted butter {or canola oil is fine}
- 2 tsp good quality vanilla
- 1 cup boiling water
Classic Buttercream Frosting
- 1 1/2 stick of butter
- 1/4 cup of milk
- 1/3 cup of unsweetened cocoa
- pinch of salt
- 4 cups of powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
- 8 oz cream cheese from fridge
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 4–6 TBS heavy cream or milk
Instructions
Cake:
- Preheat oven to 350
- Butter and flour cake pans or line muffin pan for cupcakes.
- Combine sugar through salt in a large mixing bowl.
- Make a well and add remaining ingredients, except the boiling water.
- Mix on medium speed for about 2 minutes.
- Then stir in one cup boiling water.
- Batter will be smooth and very runny.
- Pour into prepared pans.
- Cook for 30-35 minutes.
Chocoalte Butter Cream Frosting:
- In a microwave safe bowl, heat butter and milk together in the microwave until the butter is melted, about 45 seconds. Add cocoa and stir to mix. Pour mixture into mixer bowl.
- Add pinch of salt, powdered sugar and vanilla. Mix together on high for 3-4 minutes until shiny.
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting:
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, blend butter then add cream cheese, blend until combined.
- Add vanilla and cocoa, blend until combined
- Add powdered sugar blend on low until combined, increase speed to medium and beat until fluffy.
- Slowly add cream or milk to desired spread-ability.
- Beat until nice and fluffy.
Recipe Source: Adapted from Nine & Sixteen
I use this cake recipe for everything. And it has been around a lot longer than the Hershey Cookbook recipe, just FYI. You have the best recipes, all in one spot – thanks! It is definitely 5 STARS
Hi Ladies! I’ve made this cake and absolutely loved it! I was wondering if you could advise me– is this recipe bundt-pan friendly? I love my bundt pan because it looks so pretty and it’s easier to transport a bundt cake than a layer cake. 🙂 I was thinking of glazing it with chocolate ganache. Swoon……
I just made this cake today and it is so delicious and ridiculously simple, I will never make chocolate cake from a box mix again!
Thank you 🙂
I love this chocolate cake! This is the same recipe as I use except mine calls for 1 cup of hot coffee instead of the boiling water. For the cocoa, I use dutch processed cocoa from King Arthur. So delicious and it gets better the longer it sits, if it lasts that long! Thanks for another great post.
I love this chocolate cake! This is the same recipe as I use except mine calls for 1 cup of hot coffee instead of the boiling water. For the cocoa, I use dutch processed cocoa from King Arthur. So delicious and it gets better the longer it sits, if it lasts that long! Thanks for another great post.
Thank you for all your fun recipes! I check her often and use lots of them, and this one was a huge hit this weekend at a dinner with friends. I garnished it with fresh strawberries on top and we ate every bite of the cake. Thanks for a great website!
Thank you for all your fun recipes! I check her often and use lots of them, and this one was a huge hit this weekend at a dinner with friends. I garnished it with fresh strawberries on top and we ate every bite of the cake. Thanks for a great website!
What a fun story– I would love to try your Barbie coloring book recipe:) it sounds yummy!!
What a fun story– I would love to try your Barbie coloring book recipe:) it sounds yummy!!
Thanks for the heads up — I just checked my Hershey,s cookbook and sure enough it is almost the same recipe, plus it has additional bake times. I will update the recipe now:)
Thanks for the heads up — I just checked my Hershey,s cookbook and sure enough it is almost the same recipe, plus it has additional bake times. I will update the recipe now:)
this is Hershey’s “Perfectly Chocolate” Chocolate Cake recipe (although i suppose it might not be ‘theirs’ but it does promote their cocoa if anything)! And it is definitely the best chocolate cake recipe from scratch i’ve ever made too! And your frosting looks super tasty with it, and i don’t even like frosting!
this is Hershey’s “Perfectly Chocolate” Chocolate Cake recipe (although i suppose it might not be ‘theirs’ but it does promote their cocoa if anything)! And it is definitely the best chocolate cake recipe from scratch i’ve ever made too! And your frosting looks super tasty with it, and i don’t even like frosting!
I am glad you found and easy chocolate cake recipe you love! Don’t laugh, but my ‘go-to,’ one bowl, eggless chocolate cake recipe (that is so moist and rich in flavor), comes from a Barbie coloring book from when I was a little girl! My sisters and I saw the recipe and begged our Mom to make it and we have used that chocolate cake recipe for birthdays and holidays ever since.
I am glad you found and easy chocolate cake recipe you love! Don’t laugh, but my ‘go-to,’ one bowl, eggless chocolate cake recipe (that is so moist and rich in flavor), comes from a Barbie coloring book from when I was a little girl! My sisters and I saw the recipe and begged our Mom to make it and we have used that chocolate cake recipe for birthdays and holidays ever since.
Ok Mel, u convinced me…I’m a cake mix gal myself but this recipe looks really yummy and simple!!! 🙂
Ok Mel, u convinced me…I’m a cake mix gal myself but this recipe looks really yummy and simple!!! 🙂