Tastes Better From Scratch

Everything tastes better homemade!

  • About
  • Meal Plans
  • Recipes
Home » Dessert » Cakes/Cupcakes » Dark Chocolate Cake

Dark Chocolate Cake

By Lauren Allen on February 10, 2017, Updated August 9, 2019

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This is the Dark Chocolate Cake of my DREAMS! Tender, moist homemade chocolate cake with the best smooth, rich, dark chocolate frosting.

A three later Dark Chocolate Cake with homemade chocolate frosting with one slice removed.

Who’s ready for Valentine’s Day?! Being in the stage of life that we are– with two little toddlers and a newborn baby– I think it’s safe to say Jeff and I will be staying in this year.

Honestly, I LOVE our “date-night in” nights. We cook a delicious simple dinner together (steak, baked potatoes and steamed veggies is one of my favorite reeaalllly easy romantic dinners) and of course enjoy dessert afterwards.

A slice of Dark Chocolate Cake with chocolate frosting on a white plate.

I’m a sucker for something rich and chocolate-y, like this Dark Chocolate Cake. Jeff would probably prefer candy. We like to play 2-person card games like gin, which may sound totally silly, but it’s a blast!  What are your favorite Valentine’s Day traditions?

An entire Dark Chocolate Cake with chocolate frosting and piped frosting around the edges.

I think I can confidently say I would choose this Dark Chocolate Cake over ALL other desserts on the planet (except, possibly, a delicious slice of Carrot Cake). Especially for a special holiday treat.

There’s just nothing quite as tempting as a piece of homemade chocolate cake. And between the tender homemade cake and the rich, smooth and fluffy dark chocolate frosting, there is SO much to love about this cake!

After I had made this and decorated it to share with you all on the blog, it literally took all of my self control just to get a few photos of it before enjoying a slice. Three layers of chocolate cake heaven!

Consider trying these popular desserts:
  • German Chocolate Cake
  • Snickerdoodles Bars
  • Mississippi Mud Brownies 
  • Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake
  • Mrs. Fields Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • Apple Crisp

You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST for more great recipes!

Dark Chocolate Cake | Tastes Better From Scratch

Dark Chocolate Cake

This is the Dark Chocolate Cake of my DREAMS! Tender, moist homemade chocolate cake with the best smooth, rich, dark chocolate frosting.
4.67 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 887kcal
Author: Lauren Allen

Ingredients

Cake:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup + 2 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder (I love to use the Hershey's Special dark, but regular works)
  • 3 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 3/4 cup oil (vegetable or canola oil)
  • 3 large eggs , room temperature
  • 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups boiling water

Dark Chocolate Frosting:

  • 5 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 1 /3 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 12 Tablespoons unsalted butter , softened to room temperature
  • 12 Tablespoons heavy whipping cream
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

For the cake:

  • Preheat oven to 350º F. Grease three 9-inch cake pans (I like to cut a circle of parchment paper for the bottom of the pan to make sure it doesn't stick). Set aside.
  • In a large bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt
  • Add milk, oil, eggs, and vanilla to flour mixture and mix until well combined.
  • Slowly add boiling water to the cake batter, while stirring. Beat on high speed for about 1 minute. The batter will be very thin.
  • Pour cake batter evenly between the three cake pans.
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes of the cake comes out clean.
  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before inverting onto a cooling rack.

For the frosting:

  • Stir together the powdered sugar and cocoa powder. In a separate mixing bowl beat the butter on medium speed until pale, about 2 minutes. 
  • Gradually add the sugar/cocoa mixture alternating with the heavy cream and vanilla, beating after each addition, until you reach your desired frosting consistency.
  •  Beat on high speed for 3 minutes, until creamy.

Nutrition

Calories: 887kcal | Carbohydrates: 144g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 572mg | Potassium: 542mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 105g | Vitamin A: 680IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 131mg | Iron: 4.9mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag @TastesBetterFromScratch on Instagram #TastesBetterFromScratch!
Have you tried this recipe?!

RATE and COMMENT below! I would love to hear your experience.

 

This is the Dark Chocolate Cake of my DREAMS! Tender, moist homemade chocolate cake with the best smooth, rich, dark chocolate frosting. | Tastes Better From Scratch

Pin
Share
Tweet
Email


Cakes/Cupcakes· Dessert· Holiday
9 Comments

« Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
Million Dollar Spaghetti »

Comments

  1. Linda says

    February 10, 2017 at 11:29 am

    This is simple and decadent. Just like a chocolate cake should be. I am making this!

    Wishes for tasty dishes,
    Linda

    Reply
  2. Teresa says

    February 10, 2017 at 12:25 pm

    HI Lauren,
    I love your blog!! I love making things from scratch to! Thank you for sharing your Dark Chocolate cake recipe!! I don’t think it’s silly to play gin rummy, me and my husband play it to!! I agree it’s fun! We play the wii and ninteno, monopoly. Your date night in sounds great! Me and my husband are staying home too. Our daughters Lisa and Kristy are grown and we have 4 beautiful grandkids who we LOVE so much!! Thank you for sharing all your great recipes!!
    Have a wonderful day!
    Hugs, Teresa

    Reply
  3. Kathy Bolam says

    February 19, 2017 at 12:27 pm

    This cake is definitely what my husband would LOVE. Of course, me too? Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  4. JoAnn Wilson says

    June 1, 2017 at 8:14 pm

    Will the layer cake fit in a 9×13 inch pan? I am looking for the chocolate cake recipe for the Mississippi Mud cake recipe.
    Thanks!
    JoAnn

    Reply
    • Lauren Allen says

      June 24, 2017 at 3:07 pm

      Hi JoAnn, since this cake is for a 3-layer cake, there is too much batter to fit in a 9×13”pan. I would use the chocolate cake recipe found here (https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/german-chocolate-cake/) and use special dark cocoa powder instead of regular cocoa powder. Bake it in a 9×13” pan.

      Reply
  5. kelly says

    May 11, 2018 at 10:58 pm

    Best Chocolate Cake Ive ever made!! Thank you so much for sharing!

    Reply
    • Lauren Allen says

      May 11, 2018 at 11:59 pm

      Love to hear it! Thanks Kelly!

      Reply
  6. Ann says

    January 17, 2019 at 8:50 am

    5 stars
    Fantastic recipe! Will be making this for every birthday from now on!

    Reply
    • Dream Calendars says

      March 14, 2019 at 5:59 am

      5 stars
      Best Chocolate Cake Ive ever made!! Thank you so much for sharing!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos. Read More
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Thanksgiving Favorites!

Roasted Turkey on a large white platter, garnished with lemons, apples, garlic and fresh green herbs.

Easy, No-Fuss Thanksgiving Turkey

Pie crust with a crimped edge in a pie dish ready to be baked.

Perfect Pie Crust

Overhead view of a berry pie with a lattice crust.

Triple Berry Pie

A slice of the BEST Lemon Sour Cream Pie - tastesbetterfromscratch.com

Lemon Sour Cream Pie

Free 5-Week

Fall Meal Plan!

MAKE-AHEAD, family friendly recipes with grocery shopping lists!

Popular Recipes

  • Roasted Turkey on a large white platter, garnished with lemons, apples, garlic and fresh green herbs. Easy, No-Fuss Thanksgiving Turkey
  • Turkey gravy in a white gravy boat being poured over turkey slices on a plate with cranberry sauce and broccoli. Turkey Gravy
  • Making a classic pumpkin roll has never been easier with this handy trick! We love this beautiful, simple dessert. Pumpkin cake with a cream cheese filling | tastesbetterfromscratch.com Classic Pumpkin Roll
  • Peach cobbler served in a bowl with a spoon, and another bowl of cobbler in the background. Peach Cobbler

Recipe Key

  • Appetizers
  • Desserts
  • Main Dish
  • Instant Pot
  • Pasta
  • Salads
  • Side Dishes
  • Snacks
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2010-2019 | Contact Me | Privacy Policy

Tastes Better From Scratch

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy