This is the Dark Chocolate Cake of my DREAMS! Tender, moist homemade chocolate cake with the best smooth, rich, dark chocolate frosting.
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.
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?
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
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Dark Chocolate Cake
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
Have you tried this recipe?!
RATE and COMMENT below! I would love to hear your experience.
Linda says
This is simple and decadent. Just like a chocolate cake should be. I am making this!
Wishes for tasty dishes,
Linda
Teresa says
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
Kathy Bolam says
This cake is definitely what my husband would LOVE. Of course, me too? Thank you for sharing!
JoAnn Wilson says
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
Lauren Allen says
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.
kelly says
Best Chocolate Cake Ive ever made!! Thank you so much for sharing!
Lauren Allen says
Love to hear it! Thanks Kelly!
Ann says
Fantastic recipe! Will be making this for every birthday from now on!
Dream Calendars says
Best Chocolate Cake Ive ever made!! Thank you so much for sharing!
Laquila Hobson says
I made this cake for a church function and it was very well received so much that four people have ask me to make it for them.
Jim says
The cake was great but only 12 tablespoons of heavy whipping cream was not near enough unless I did something wrong. I added way more whipping cream to have a smoothable consistency for the frosting