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The best chocolate cake recipe, ever — this decadent, moist chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting is an old family favorite. It’s requested for birthdays time and time again, and it’s quite easy to make. You’ll never want to make another chocolate cake recipe again!
Best Chocolate Cake Recipe
I’m just going to say it.
This is the best chocolate cake recipeever.
And I’m not just saying that to get you to try it…I truly believe this is the best chocolate cake I’ve ever eaten.
If you don’t believe me – read some of the comments on this post. It’s really what everyone seems to think!
This cake is extremely moist, decadent, and oh-so-delicious…not something you probably want to eat while you are on a diet, but you’ll definitely want to make as part of your cheat meal.
This chocolate cake was created, and tested, and perfected, by my great-grandmother.
Growing up, I’ve always heard my dad rave about this chocolate cake.
He would always talk about how it was incredibly moist (he attributed that to it having a full cup of oil. Delicious, yes. Unhealthy…debatable) and nothing else could be compared to its deliciousness.
Considering how often my dad told me about this cake, you’d think I would have tried it a time or two.
However, that was not the case. My dad wasn’t sure where the recipe was, or if there ever was one.
You see, my great-grandmother never wrote recipes down, or really measured things out in traditional methods (by using measuring spoons.)
However, we were able to get a copy of the recipe, which looks like it was in her handwriting, and I knew I had to try it out for a family Christmas party on my dad’s side of the family.
I made this cake three times, and from those experiences, I discovered one thing — do not changeanything.
Seriously. I know there’s a lot of sugar and oil, but if you are going to make a delicious chocolate cake…you can’t really skimp in those areas!
I tried using all-purpose flour and homemade buttermilk the first time, and while, yes, it was good, it wasn’t perfect.
The second and third time, I followed it perfectly…and it was delicious.
The original recipe had glaze/boiled frosting on it, but we couldn’t get it quite right, so we decided to use the cream cheese frosting my great-grandmother used on other cakes.
I personally loved it, and I think it will definitely be my go-to frosting from now on.
Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Printable recipe available below
Supplies
- 9×13 glass baking dish
- Cooking Spray
- Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer
- Mixing Bowl (if you aren’t using a stand mixer bowl)
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
FOR CAKE
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 whole eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups cake flour
- 2 cups white sugar
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon baking soda
- 1 cup boiling water
FOR FROSTING
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 stick butter (1/2 cup), softened to room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 pound plus 2 cups powdered sugar
Directions
FOR CAKE
In a mixing bowl, beat together oil, buttermilk, eggs and vanilla.
In a separate bowl, mix together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda until well-combined.
Slowly mix together dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, and mix well until smooth.
After wet and dry ingredients are combined, add in the cup of boiling water. Mix well. The batter will be runny.
Pour into a well-greased 9×13 baking dish.
Baked at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes. Let cool in pan.
Frost once completely cool. Best served after being refrigerated for a few hours.
CREAM CHEESE FROSTING FOR CHOCOLATE CAKE
Cream together cream cheese, vanilla, and butter until nice and smooth.
Add powdered sugar in slowly and mix until combined and smooth. You may not add in all the powdered sugar – just add it until you reach your desired consistency.
Refrigerate until ready to use.
FAQ
Can I substitute the cake flour?
I wouldn’t recommend it. Here is a tutorial on how to make your own cake flour at home, though.
Can I cut down on any of the sugar or fat in this recipe?
You could use a little bit less sugar or oil, but I can’t guarantee the results.
Can I freeze this?
You can freeze the cake, but I would make the frosting fresh
Can I use coffee instead of boiling water?
This is common in chocolate cake. I don’t drink or use coffee, but if you would like to, it has been done with good results from what I’ve been told.
Chocolate Cake and Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Yield: 10 slices
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Cooling Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
The World's Best Chocolate Cake Recipe - it's so easy, moist and delicius.
Ingredients
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 stick butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 pound 2 cups powdered sugar
Chocolate Cake
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups cake flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon baking soda
- 1 cup boiling water
Instructions
- Chocolate Cake
- In a mixing bowl, beat together oil, buttermilk, egg, and vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, mix together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and baking soda until well-combined.
- Slowly mix the dry ingredients into wet ingredients, and mix until everything is smooth, and no chunks exist.
- After the wet and dry ingredients are combined, add in the cup of boiling water. Mix well. Batter will be slightly runny.
- Pour into a well greased, 9x13 baking dish.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes. Let cool in pan.
- Frost once cool. Best served after being refrigerated for a few hours.
- Cream Cheese Frosting
- Cream together cream cheese, vanilla, and butter until nice and smooth.
- Add powdered sugar in slowly and mix until combined and smooth.
- Refrigerate when not using.
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- Triple Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
- Easy Lasagna Recipe
This post was originally posted in 2014. It was updated in 2019.
Katie Clark
Katie is a Colorado-native, BYU graduated, and most importantly, wife to one and mother to three beautiful boys. She is passionate about sharing her experiences with others – especially about pregnancy, breastfeeding, cooking, and crafts. She is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant. She loves spending time with her family and helping others find joy in family life.