The Perfect Chocolate Cake Recipe
Description
This delightful chocolate cake, cherished since 1982, is a beloved recipe from McCall’s Cookbook, lovingly prepared by my mother during Christmas festivities. While it shines during the holidays, its decadent chocolate flavor makes it an ideal choice for any special occasion, particularly for birthdays dedicated to chocolate enthusiasts. With a rich yet balanced sweetness, this cake is crafted entirely from scratch, ensuring a delightful experience that feels almost like a work of art—requiring time and care but yielding spectacular results.
Recipe Details
| Category | Dessert |
|---|---|
| Preparation Time | 30 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 50 minutes |
| Total Time | 1 hour 20 minutes |
| Servings | 12 slices |
| Calories per slice | 1018.4 |
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Boiling water | 2 cups |
| All-purpose flour | 2 ¾ cups |
| Baking soda | 2 teaspoons |
| Salt | ½ teaspoon |
| Baking powder | ½ teaspoon |
| Butter | 1 cup (softened) |
| Margarine | ½ cup |
| Granulated sugar | 2 ½ cups |
| Eggs | 4 large |
| Vanilla extract | 1 tablespoon |
| Confectioners’ sugar | 2 ½ cups (divided) |
| Heavy cream | 1 cup |
Nutritional Information
| Nutrient | Amount per serving |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 56 g |
| Saturated Fat | 34.3 g |
| Cholesterol | 223.2 mg |
| Sodium | 693.9 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 126.5 g |
| Fiber | 4.9 g |
| Sugar | 91.9 g |
| Protein | 9.7 g |
Instructions
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Prepare the Cocoa Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine unsweetened cocoa with 2 cups of boiling water. Use a wire whisk to mix until the mixture is smooth. Allow it to cool completely.
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Sift the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, salt, and baking powder, ensuring an even distribution.
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Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare three 9-inch layer cake pans by greasing them well and lightly flouring the surfaces.
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Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, margarine, and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 5 minutes.
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Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, blend in the vanilla extract.
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Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: At low speed, alternate adding the sifted flour mixture and the cocoa mixture to the batter, starting and ending with the flour mixture. Mix just until combined; be careful not to overbeat.
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Bake the Cakes: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans and smooth the tops with a spatula. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the tops spring back when gently pressed.
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Cool the Cakes: Once baked, allow the cakes to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes. Carefully loosen the sides with a spatula, then remove the cakes and cool completely on wire racks.
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Prepare the Frosting: For the frosting, combine chocolate pieces and heavy cream in a medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat until smooth. Remove from heat and whisk in 2 ½ cups of confectioners’ sugar. Transfer the mixture to a bowl set over ice and beat until the frosting holds its shape.
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Make the Filling: Whip the heavy cream with the remaining confectioners’ sugar and a splash of vanilla extract until it forms soft peaks.
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Assemble the Cake: Place one layer of the cake on a serving plate, top side down, and spread half of the whipped cream filling over it. Add the second layer, also top side down, and spread the remaining whipped cream. Finally, place the third layer on top, this time with the top side facing up.
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Frost the Cake: Use a metal spatula to frost the sides of the cake with the chocolate frosting, covering the whipped cream filling. Use the remaining frosting on top, creating decorative swirls.
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Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the cake for at least one hour before slicing to allow the layers to set properly.
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Serve and Enjoy: To cut the cake, use a thin-edged sharp knife and slice with a gentle sawing motion for clean edges. Enjoy this perfect chocolate cake with friends and family!
Keywords
Chocolate cake, homemade dessert, classic chocolate cake, holiday baking, special occasion cake, birthday cake, layered cake
