Chocolate Butter Cake

Chocolate Butter Cake: Indulge in the most decadent dessert with this chocolate butter cake—super moist, chocolatey layers crowned with luscious buttercream. Pure dessert delight!

Chocolate Butter Cake

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Chocolate Butter Cake Recipe

This chocolate butter cake is a super indulgent treat that combines moist, rich chocolate layers with creamy buttercream frosting.

It’s a celebration of chocolate flavour with a velvety texture. With a rich, deep chocolate taste, and perfectly balanced sweetness, topped with a smooth, glossy frosting.

Chocolate Butter Cake Ingredients

  • Dark Chocolate: Adds depth and richness to the cake.
  • Cocoa Powder: Enhances the chocolate flavour.
  • Flour: Plain (all-purpose) flour provides structure to the cake.
  • Leavening Agents: Baking powder and bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) help the cake rise and become light.
  • Butter: Creates a buttery, tender crumb.
  • Sugar: Sweetens the cake.
  • Eggs: Contribute to the cake’s structure.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds a subtle, aromatic note and elevates the chocolate notes.
  • Milk: Ensures moisture and tenderness.

How to Make Chocolate Butter Cake

  1. Prepare: Grease and line two 9-inch round baking pans.
  2. Combine: Melt chocolate and cocoa with boiling water, set aside.
  3. Whisk/Sift: Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda.
  4. Beat: Cream butter and sugar, add eggs, vanilla, and melted chocolate mixture.
  5. Add: Alternate flour and milk, beginning and ending with flour.
  6. Divide: Pour batter into pans and bake until done.
  7. Frosting: Melt chocolate, beat butter, add sugar, vanilla, and melted chocolate.
  8. Decorate: Frost the cake and let it set in the refrigerator.

The printable recipe below includes the complete list of ingredients, their quantities and detailed instructions.

Tips and Tricks for Success

  • Use high-quality dark chocolate for the best flavour.
  • Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature.
  • Don’t over-mix the batter; stop when just combined.
  • Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting.
  • For a glossy frosting, ensure chocolate is cooled to room temperature.
  • Experiment with decorations like chocolate shavings or berries.

Chocolate Butter Cake Serving Suggestions

  • Ice Cream: Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful contrast.
  • Fresh berries: Serve with fresh berries, such as raspberries or strawberries, complement the chocolate.
  • Chocolate Sauce: A drizzle of warm chocolate sauce adds extra decadence.
  • Coffee: Pair with a cup of rich, brewed coffee or a glass of cold milk for a classic treat.

Can you Freeze Chocolate Butter Cake?

Yes, you can freeze chocolate butter cake to extend its shelf life. Freezing can help you preserve the cake’s freshness and flavour for a later date.

Here are detailed instructions on how to freeze chocolate butter cake:

Freezing Whole Chocolate Butter Cake:

  1. Cool the Cake: Allow the chocolate butter cake to cool completely at room temperature. Do not attempt to freeze a warm cake as it can create excess moisture.
  2. Wrap in Plastic Wrap: Once the cake has cooled, tightly wrap it in several layers of plastic wrap. Make sure there are no exposed areas to prevent freezer burn. You can also use aluminium foil over the plastic wrap for added protection.
  3. Double Protection with a Freezer Bag: Place the wrapped cake into a large, airtight freezer bag. Squeeze out any excess air from the bag before sealing it. This extra layer helps maintain freshness.
  4. Label and Date: Use a permanent marker to label the bag with the cake type and date of freezing. This makes it easier to identify in the freezer.
  5. Freeze: Lay the wrapped and bagged cake flat in the freezer. Ensure it’s placed on a flat surface so it doesn’t get squished. Leave it undisturbed while it freezes.

Freezing Slices of Chocolate Butter Cake:

  1. Cool and Slice: Allow the chocolate butter cake to cool completely. Slice it into individual portions that you plan to use later. You can wrap and freeze each slice separately or group them, depending on your preferences.
  2. Wrap Each Slice: For individual slices, wrap each slice tightly in plastic wrap. Again, make sure there are no exposed areas. You can stack slices with a small piece of parchment paper in between to prevent sticking.
  3. Place in a Freezer Container or Bag: Once wrapped, place the individual slices into an airtight freezer container or a resealable freezer bag. Remove excess air and seal tightly.
  4. Label and Date: As with the whole cake, label the container or bag with the cake type and date.
  5. Freeze: Lay the slices flat in the freezer. If you’re using a bag, you can stack them on top of each other. Ensure they remain undisturbed while freezing.

Thawing and Enjoying:

  1. To thaw, simply remove the wrapped cake or slice(s) from the freezer and place them in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight.
  2. You can also thaw slices at room temperature for quicker results, usually within a few hours, depending on room temperature.
  3. Once thawed, the cake will regain its moisture and flavour. Serve and enjoy!

Frozen chocolate butter cake can be kept in the freezer for several months, but for the best quality, consume it within 2-3 months. Properly stored and thawed, it will still taste delicious.

Chocolate Butter Cake Recipe

This chocolate butter cake, whether enjoyed on its own or paired with ice cream, berries, or a cup of coffee, is a heavenly treat that satisfies any sweet tooth.

With simple preparation steps and tips for success, you can confidently create this decadent dessert and savour its delightful taste on any occasion.

Yield: 9-inch cake (8-10 servings)

Chocolate Butter Cake

Chocolate Butter Cake

Decadent chocolate butter cake: Moist, rich layers of chocolate delight topped with luscious buttercream.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

Cake

  • 120g (4.2oz) dark chocolate, chopped
  • 30g (¼ cup) cocoa powder
  • 240ml (1 cup) boiling water
  • 295g (2¼ cups + 2 tbsp) plain (all-purpose) flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
  • 225g (1 cup) unsalted butter
  • 400g (2 cups) granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 240ml (1 cup) milk

Frosting:

  • 120g (4.2 oz) dark chocolate, chopped
  • 150g (½ cup + 3 tbsp) unsalted butter
  • 160g (1¼ cups) icing (powdered) sugar, sifted
  • 1½ tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and line two 9-inch (23x5cm) round baking pans with parchment paper.
    2. In a heatproof bowl, place the chopped plain chocolate and cocoa powder. Pour the boiling water over the chocolate and cocoa powder and stir until they have melted. Set aside to cool.
      In a separate bowl, whisk or sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
    3. Beat the butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the sugar and continue beating until the mixture is fluffy (about 3 minutes). Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the vanilla extract and melted chocolate mixture and beat to combine.
    4. Add the flour (in three additions) and milk (in two additions), beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Beat only until the ingredients are mixed together. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and smooth the tops. Bake for about 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean (or with moist crumbs) and the tops spring back when lightly pressed.
    5. To make the frosting: Melt the chocolate for the frosting in a heatproof bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Beat the butter until smooth and creamy (about 1 minute). Add the icing sugar and beat until it is light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). Beat in the vanilla extract. Add the chocolate and beat on low speed until incorporated. Raise the speed to medium-high and beat until the frosting is smooth and glossy (about 2-3 minutes).
    6. Spread the frosting in the centre of your [cooled] cake with a little strawberry jam (optional). Spread the remaining frosting on the top and sides of your cake. Smooth if required and allow to set in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
    7. Slice and serve.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

10

Serving Size:

1 slice

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 431Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 273mgCarbohydrates: 72gFiber: 2gSugar: 66gProtein: 4g

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Chocolate Butter Cake Recipe by Sweet2EatBaking.com

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6 Comments on “Chocolate Butter Cake”

  1. Paula Donoghue May 4, 2013 @3:46 pm Reply

    Hi there, I was browsing around google looking for recipes for a moist chocolate cake and I came across your recipe, must say it sounds delicious and very tempting! Must give it a try :)

    1. Lisa Crunkhorn May 4, 2013 @6:49 pm Reply

      Thank you Paula. I'm not usually a fan of chocolate cakes made with cocoa powder but I must admit that I snaffled this one down because it's packed with real chocolate and enhanced with cocoa powder.

      Thanks for stopping by.

  2. Patricia December 18, 2017 @4:06 pm Reply

    HiLisa

    Can buttermilk be used instead of milk? Or can we used 1/2 ans 1/2 of buttermilk and milk ?

    1. Lisa | Sweet 2 Eat Baking December 20, 2017 @4:09 pm Reply

      Hi Patricia,

      I haven't tried making this cake with buttermilk. As the recipe calls for both baking powder and bicarb of soda (baking soda), I can't see it being an issue. However, adding buttermilk instead of milk will make the cake more acidic and may rise too quickly and collapse, but I can't say for sure.

      If you try with buttermilk, do let me know how it turns out. I'd love to know. Thanks for stopping by.

  3. Kiki December 11, 2018 @10:37 am Reply

    Hello Lisa! I came across your page while looking for chocolate butter cake. Yours looks so good. Going to try it this evening. :)

  4. Rum September 11, 2022 @1:07 pm Reply

    This is my go to Chocolate cake. I have made it many many times. Thank you for this beautiful recipe.
    I am making it as a double quantity this Thursday, can I bake it in one large tray instead of two trays?