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Semi-Sweet Moist Chocolate Cake Recipe

This rich semi-sweet chocolate cake is moist, tender, and topped with a luscious homemade chocolate buttercream frosting. Perfect for celebrations or when you need a show-stopping dessert!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8 people
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Mixing Bowl For mixing frosting and cake batter
  • 1 Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer To whip frosting and batter
  • 2 8-inch Cake Pans For baking
  • 1 Saucepan For melting chocolate
  • 1 Spatula For spreading frosting

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon espresso powder optional
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 stick butter or 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 stick eggs or 3 small eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 2 ounces semi-sweet chocolate melted

Ingredient Group: Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

  • 2 ounces semi-sweet chocolate melted
  • 3 cups confectioner's sugar
  • 1/2 cup butter softened
  • 3-4 tablespoons milk as needed
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Video

Notes

Instruction Group: Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

  1. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the semi-sweet chocolate with a small amount of butter until smooth. Set aside to cool.
  2. In a mixing bowl, beat softened butter until creamy.
  3. Gradually add confectioner's sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, and cooled chocolate, mixing between each addition.
  4. Add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until frosting reaches a spreadable consistency. Set aside.

Instruction Group: Chocolate Cake

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Grease two 8-inch cake pans with baking spray.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and espresso powder.
  4. In another bowl, beat eggs one at a time. Add milk, melted chocolate, vanilla, and boiling water. Mix well.
  5. Gradually combine wet and dry ingredients until fully incorporated.
  6. Pour batter evenly into prepared pans.
  7. Bake for about 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with moist crumbs.
  8. Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting.

Instruction Group: Assemble the Cake

  1. Spread the frosting evenly between the layers and over the top and sides of the cooled cakes.
  2. Slice, serve, and enjoy!
Keyword chocolate buttercream frosting, easy chocolate cake recipe, moist chocolate cake, semi sweet, semi sweet chocolate cake, semi sweet moist chocolate cake