When I came across this recipe I knew I had to make it, and I was not disappointed! This Chocolate Cake Recipe is seriously rich and amazingly decadent. It’s my new go-to recipe! (But I still love the classics… my Perfect Chocolate Cake is my favorite for layer cakes!)
The BEST Chocolate Cake
When my friend Autumn showed me this recipe of her Grandma Evie’s I was totally intrigued. The method is completely different than anything I had ever seen! She actually calls it No-Fail Chocolate Cake. So I made it that day, thinking to myself, “How different can it really be?” Well, I was pleasantly surprised at just how AMAZING this chocolate cake is.
Imagine my shock when I tried a piece the next day and it was EVEN BETTER. If at all possible, I recommend saving yourself a slice so that you can see just what a few hours will do to this crazy good recipe!
Chocolate Frosting
But first, let’s talk frosting. This is a basic Chocolate Frosting done right. I used dutch process cocoa so that my frosting would be a bit darker, but you can certainly use regular unsweetened cocoa powder. (it will also be lighter in color)
Coffee in Chocolate Cake?
I have many recipes on my site for chocolate cake and most of them use coffee. Coffee will enhance the flavor of the chocolate, not overpower it. If your recipe is good (and this one is) you will not taste the coffee at all, you will only taste the richest chocolate cake you have ever had.
This recipe utilizes brewed hot coffee in the first steps and then cooled coffee in the second part. Some recipes will call for instant coffee crystals or espresso coffee, this one doesn’t.
You may substitute WATER for the coffee if you prefer, but the chocolate flavor will not be as intense.
Can I Turn Sheet Cake Into a Layer Cake?
While I love this recipe as a sheet cake, I also like this cake as a layer cake. It will make a 2-layer cake (using 8-inch rounds) and the chocolate frosting recipe below will cover that if you do not use too much between the layers.
Can I Make Sheet Cake Into Cupcakes?
Full transparency: I have not made this recipe as cupcakes, ( I love my Ultimate Chocolate Cupcake recipe) but if you do, you will want to fill each liner 2/3 full with batter and bake for 16-22 minutes at 350°F. Start checking at 16 minutes as you do not want to overbake the cupcakes. Cool and frost with the chocolate frosting recipe. If you want to pipe pretty designs on the cupcakes you can add a bit more confectioners sugar for a thicker consistency.
More Chocolate Cakes
Chocolate Cake Recipe
Ingredients
Chocolate Cake
- FIRST PART
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar
- ⅓ cup strong coffee
- ½ cup dutch process cocoa
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- SECOND PART
- 1½ cups (192g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup (1 stick, 113g) salted butter, warm but not melted
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100g) packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ½ cup cold coffee
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Chocolate Frosting
- 3 cups (384g) confectioners’ sugar
- 6 tablespoons (90g) Dutch Process cocoa powder
- 6 tablespoons salted butter room temperature
- 3-5 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Chocolate Cake
- FIRST PART
- Place all ingredients in the first part into a saucepan over low heat. Stir until they are fully incorporated, 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool a bit. It should be a little thick and similar to custard.
- SECOND PART
- In a medium bowl, sift flour, baking soda, and baking powder together.
- Add 1/2 cup warm butter, sugars, eggs, cooled coffee, and vanilla to the flour mixture and mix with a hand-held mixer until fully combined. (or stir by hand)
- Add the chocolate mixture from the FIRST PART to the ingredients from the SECOND PART. Stir by hand until all ingredients are well combined.
- Pour onto a prepared (sprayed or lined with parchment) baking sheet (I used a 10x15in baking sheet). Smooth out the batter and gently tap on the counter.
- Bake in a 350°F oven for 16-22 minutes, or until the center no longer appears wet and an inserted toothpick is removed with a few crumbs.
- Allow to cool before frosting.
Chocolate Frosting
- In a medium bowl, sift together the confectioners’ sugar and cocoa, and set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream butter until smooth, then gradually beat in sugar mixture alternately with heavy whipping cream. Blend in vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy. If necessary, adjust consistency with more whipping cream or sugar.
Video
Did you make this recipe?
Thank you for making my recipe! You took pictures, right? Well go ahead and post them on Instagram! Be sure to mention me @iambaker and use the hashtag #YouAreBaker.
Just made this and yes, somewhat like a Texas sheet cake. I like this frosting but needed to add more cream to get it light and fluffy as described. The frosting is not dark but it’s good.
I only have a 9 x 13“ pan. How would I adjust the recipe for cooking times?
the cake looks good but would omit the coffee in both part of the cake. I don’t like coffee and would use water instead or something else
@i am baker. Can I convert this to a 13×9 baking pan? If so, what would be the baking time?
This is delicious and rich. Made it in a 9×13” pan and baked for 20 minutes. The cake has a nice soft texture. I used unsalted butter and added a little salt to compensate.
Do I use light or dark brown sugar?
Light
Love, love your recipes. Keep them coming! Thank you!
What is the ratio of the 1/3 cup strong coffee and the 1/2 cup of coffee?
What is Dutch recipe cocoa? I only can find regular Hersheys cocoa in can.
I have been wanting to make this. However I saw the comment about the Texas sheet cake. I really do not like Texas sheet cake. But this looks so yummy and a bit different. The icing doesn’t look the same do I take a chance?