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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

Instructions
 

Cake Instructions:

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

Frosting Instructions:

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

Video

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