Description
An exceptionally moist chocolate cake made with sour cream for perfect texture that lasts for days. Simple to make yet impressive to serve.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup sour cream, room temperature
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup hot coffee (or hot water)
For the Chocolate Frosting:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk (more if needed)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans or one 9×13 inch pan with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
In another bowl, whisk together eggs, sour cream, vegetable oil, and vanilla until smooth.
Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
Pour in hot coffee and stir until completely incorporated. Batter will become thinner.
Pour batter into prepared pan(s). Bake for 30-35 minutes for round pans or 35-40 minutes for a 9×13 pan, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
Cool in pan(s) for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
For frosting, beat softened butter until creamy. Add cocoa powder and mix until combined.
Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with small amounts of milk. Add vanilla and salt. Beat until smooth, adding more milk if needed.
Frost completely cooled cake as desired.
Notes
Room temperature sour cream and eggs incorporate more smoothly
Coffee enhances chocolate flavor without making the cake taste like coffee
Spoon cocoa powder into measuring cup rather than scooping to avoid compacting
Cake stays moist for days and actually tastes better on day two
Freezes beautifully for up to 3 months when well-wrapped
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 445
- Sugar: 48g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 68g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: sour cream chocolate cake recipe, moist chocolate cake, easy chocolate cake, chocolate cake with sour cream, simple chocolate cake