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A delicious plate of Easy Chocolate Cake

Easy Chocolate Cake

Indulge in this decadent, rich chocolate cake that's simple enough to whip up any day of the week.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 16 slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 428

Ingredients
  

For the chocolate cake
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 2 large eggs at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup sour cream at room temperature
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
For the chocolate sour cream frosting
  • 3 cups confectioner's sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder or Dutch process cocoa
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch salt

Equipment

  • 9x13 inch baking pan
  • Stand Mixer
  • Small Saucepan

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9×13-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
  2. In a small saucepan, combine the butter, water, cocoa powder, and salt and place over medium heat. Cook, stirring with a spatula, just until melted and combined. Remove from the heat and set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and baking soda. Add half of the melted butter cocoa mixture and whisk until completely blended. The mixture will be thick. Add the remaining butter mixture and stir until combined.
  4. Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking until completely blended. Add the sour cream and vanilla extract and whisk until smooth.
  5. Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, 25-30 minutes. Let the cake cool completely before frosting.
  6. For the frosting: In a large bowl, sift together the confectioner's sugar and cocoa powder. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter until smooth, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the confectioner's sugar and cocoa, sour cream, vanilla, and salt. Beat until frosting is smooth, about 3 minutes. If you need to scrape down the sides, do so, and mix again.
  7. Frost the cooled chocolate cake with the chocolate sour cream frosting. Cut cake into squares and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 428kcalCarbohydrates: 59gProtein: 3gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 421mgPotassium: 116mgFiber: 1gSugar: 44gVitamin A: 650IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 1.5mg

Notes

Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for a smoother batter and frosting. This cake pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or fresh berries.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!