Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

A Simple Chocolate Cake

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

5 from 1 review

  • Yield: 6-inch 2-layer cake 1x

Description

This chocolate cake is rich with a tight crumb, as I prefer all most cakes. The process of making this cake, learned from Warren Brown, is one I’ve come to love. Kev, a by-standard in the cake making process, says it looks easy to make. I’d have to agree. Slowly cream the butter and sugar, alternately add in the dry and wet ingredients quickly, and finish the batter with a quick but vigorous mix. It’ll be hard to ever make a cake any other way.

Ingredients

Scale
  • Cake
  • Dry
  • 1/2 c. + 3 tbsp. unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3/4 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp. sea salt
  • Liquid
  • 1/2 c. half and half
  • 1/2 tbsp. vanilla extract
  • Creaming
  • 3/4 stick (6 tbsp.) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 3/4 c. + 2 tbsp. pure cane sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • Chocolate Buttercream
  • 2 1/2 c. powdered sugar
  • 1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 sticks (3/4 c.) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1/4 c. half and half
  • 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
  • pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. To make the cake. Preheat oven to 350º. Line 6″ pans with parchment paper. Set aside.
  2. Add dry ingredients into a medium bowl and whisk together. Into a separate bowl, measure liquid ingredients. Set aside.
  3. In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar on the lowest speed for 3-5 minutes. (This will feel odd, but keep it on low.) When ready, butter mixture will begin sticking to the sides of the bowl.
  4. Add the eggs one at a time, scraping down sides after each addition.
  5. With the mixer speed still on low, add the dry ingredient mixture alternately with the liquid mixture in 4 additions each, beginning and ending with the dry mixture. Move quickly through this step to avoid overworking the batter. This should take a total of about 45 seconds.
  6. Stop the mixer and scrape the sides of the bowl. Don’t miss the clumps of ingredients hiding on the bottom. Mix on medium speed for 15 to 20 seconds to develop the batters structure.
  7. Distribute batter evenly using a 2-ounce trigger release ice-cream scoop.
  8. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until the center no longer holds a finger print when pressed.
  9. Cool cake for 5 minutes before removing from the pan, using an offset spatula to loosen edges. Allow layers to cool completely before assembling. Remove parchment paper.
  10. To make the buttercream. In a separate bowl, sift together powdered sugar and cocoa powder. In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter. Slowly add in sugar mixture alternating with the half and half until light and fluffy. Add more half and half 1 tablespoon at a time if needed to reach desired consistency. Scrape down sides. Add in vanilla and salt. Mix again to fully combine.
  11. Assemble the cake. If necessary, level the cakes. Place the bottom layer on a cake stand with scraps of parchment paper underneath to keep the stand clean.
  12. Spread a layer buttercream over the bottom layer. Add the top layer being sure to center it on the bottom layer.
  13. Dirty ice or crumb coat the cake. Scoop about 1/3 cup (I eyeball it) of icing into a separate bowl to keep the rest of the buttercream crumb-free. Spread a very thin layer of icing around the cake to lock in the crumbs.
  14. Spread remaining icing over cake. Start by adding globs of buttercream to the sides of the cake. Using an offset spatula, spread evenly around sides. Continue working until fairly smooth. Add remaining frosting to the top, spreading evenly. Once smooth, pull a pattern into the top of the cake if desired. For reference, I gently work the icing for a solid 20 minutes to get it looking the way I do.
  15. Serve or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.

Notes

• If you’re outside of the US, half and half is equal parts cream and milk.

• If you’d like to make this recipe in a 8″ or 9″ cake pan, here’s the full recipe. It will yield a 2-layer cake. I’d recommend doubling the buttercream.

• For more cake icing tips, check out this post from Style Sweet CA.

Find it online: https://www.thefauxmartha.com/simple-chocolate-cake/

Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes