This is the cake of memories: deeply chocolatey, impossibly moist, and smothered in a creamy, tangy frosting. Passed down through generations, it’s the cake for birthdays, Sunday dinners, and any moment that calls for a slice of pure, homemade comfort.
Yield: One 2-layer 9-inch cake or 9×13-inch sheet cake
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Bake Time: 30-35 minutes
Cooling/Decorating Time: 1 hour
Total Time: About 2 hours
Ingredients
For the Cake:
2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
¾ cup (75g) unsweetened cocoa powder (natural or Dutch-process)
2 tsp (10g) baking soda
1 tsp (5g) baking powder
1 tsp (5g) fine sea salt
1 cup (240ml) whole milk, room temperature
½ cup (120ml) vegetable or canola oil
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 tsp (10ml) pure vanilla extract
1 cup (240ml) hot, strong black coffee (or hot water)
For the Sour Cream Chocolate Frosting:
3 oz (85g) unsweetened or semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
⅓ cup (75g) unsalted butter, softened
3 cups (360g) confectioners’ sugar, sifted
½ cup (120g) full-fat sour cream, room temperature
2 tsp (10ml) pure vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Instructions:Instructions
1. Bake the Cake
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans (or one 9×13-inch pan) and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a large bowl with a hand mixer), sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix on low speed to combine.
Add the milk, oil, and vanilla extract. Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes until well combined. The batter will be thick.
Reduce speed to low and carefully pour in the hot coffee. Mix just until incorporated—the batter will be very thin. Add the eggs and beat for 1 more minute until smooth.
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let cakes cool in pans for 15 minutes. Then, run a knife around the edges and invert onto a wire rack to cool completely. Peel off parchment paper.
