Homemade Chocolate Cake

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At 60 cents a slice, Homemade Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting is one of my favorite desserts! The rich chocolate flavor of the cake compliments the nuttiness of the peanut butter. We are talking pure perfection! Did you know there is a science behind our love affair with chocolate and peanut butter? Dynamic sensory contrast is the official name. What does this mean? It is simple. Our taste buds love when food have contrasting textures. Keep that in mind the next time you over-indulge – it really is not our fault! Read on for step-by-step instructions and 4 helpful tips!

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Homemade Chocolate Cake. Two slices on black plates with forks and a green napkin between them
Homemade Chocolate Cake

Lets Talk Ingredients

I love the ingredients that make this cake moist and dense.

  • Buttermilk: The buttermilk introduces moisture and keeps the cake tender.
  • Applesauce: Adding the applesauce keeps the cake moist and fresher longer.
  • Coffee: And our final ingredient worthy of discussion is a cup of strong coffee. It intensifies the chocolate flavor of this super moist Homemade Chocolate Cake! Our preference is Eight O’Clock Columbian coffee from the whole beans. (This is not a sponsor plug – just the coffee we enjoy every day.)
Homemade Chocolate Cake on a green plate with fork and napkin
Chocolate Cake Served

Making the Homemade Chocolate Cake

  1. Sift Dry Ingredients: Start with sifting the dry ingredients twice into a medium size bowl.
  2. Wet Ingredients: Using an electric mixer, blend together the wet ingredients, except for the coffee, in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Mix Together: Slowly mix in the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients adding the coffee to keep the flying flour to a minimum.
  4. Prepare Pans: Spray two 8-inch x 2-inch round cake pans evenly with a non-stick spray that includes flour or add a little cocoa powder to the cake pans shaking to coat.
  5. Pour in Pans: Evenly distribute the cake batter into the cake pans.
  6. Bake: Place in 350 degrees oven and bake for 35-minutes.
  7. Cool: Let the Homemade Chocolate Cake cool completely before frosting. This is the hard part. See my recipe Fluffy Peanut Butter Frosting for the recipe and tips for frosting a cake. Slice and enjoy! You can thank me later.

4 Helpful Tips

  1. Frosting the Cake: I like to place the cakes in the refrigerator overnight to reduce crumbs getting into the peanut butter frosting.
  2. Parchment Paper: Cutting a piece of parchment paper and placing it in the cake pan can make it easier to remove the cooled cake. (I still spray the cake pan sides for easier removal.)
  3. Spatula: If once cooled the cake is not removed from the cake pan edge, gently use a spatula to loosen the edges.
  4. Baking Spray: Using a Baking Spray contains the non-stick oil mixed with the flour. One spray takes care of coating the pan with a non-stick spray and then adding flour to the pan.  
  • Chocolate Cake after adding Peanut Butter Frosting on a white plate
  • Homemade Chocolate Cake Served on a plate with the full cake in the background
  • Tow slices of chocolate cake on black plates
  • Closeup of Homemade Chocolate Cake with Fluffy Peanut Butter Frosting with a black fork

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Homemade Chocolate Cake

Pin Recipe
At .60 cents a slice, Homemade Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting is my favorite dessert! The rich chocolate flavor of the cake compliments the nuttiness of the peanut butter. We are talking pure perfection!
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Cakes, Desserts
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Homemade Chocolate Cake
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Refrigerate overnight, optional: 12 hours
Servings: 12 servings
servings
Calories: 251kcal
Author: Bernice
Cost: .60 cents a slice!

Equipment

  • Flour sifter
  • Two 8-inch x 2-inch round cake pan
  • Medium bowl
  • Mixing bowl and mixer (ie., stand up mixer or hand mixer)

Ingredients

Cake Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups Flour
  • 2 cups Sugar
  • 3/4 cups Cocoa Powder special dark
  • 2 tsp Baking Soda
  • 1 tsp Baking Powder
  • 1 tsp Salt

Cake Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup Buttermilk shaken and at room temperature
  • 1 cup Unsweetened Applesauce
  • 2 large Eggs at room temperature
  • 2 tsp Vanilla
  • 1 cup Freshly Brewed Hot Coffee

Instructions

Oven Preparation

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Spray two 8-inch x 2-inch round cake pans evenly with a non-stick spray.
  • Add a little Cocoa Powder to each cake pan and shake to coat.

Cake Preparation

  • Sift the cake ingredients twice into a medium bowl.
  • Using an electric mixer, blend together the wet ingredients (except for the coffee) in a large mixing bowl.
  • With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the dry ingredients scraping down the bowl sides as needed.
  • Add the coffee and stir just to combine.
  • Pour batter evenly into prepared pans.
  • Bake for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  • Cool in the pan for ten minutes then remove to a cooling rack to fully cool.
  • Top with your favorite frosting and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Calories are approximate and depend upon serving size and ingredients selected. Cost per serving can vary based upon the price of ingredients. Calories do not include the peanut butter frosting but the average cost includes the frosting.
Helpful Tips
  1. Frosting the Cake: I like to place the cakes in the refrigerator overnight to reduce crumbs getting into the peanut butter frosting.
  2. Parchment Paper: Cutting a piece of parchment paper and placing it in the cake pan can make it easier to remove the cooled cake. (I still spray the cake pan sides for easier removal.)
  3. Spatula: If once cooled the cake is not removed from the cake pan edge, gently use a spatula to loosen the edges.
  4. Baking Spray: Using a Baking Spray contains the non-stick oil mixed with the flour. One spray takes care of coating the pan with a non-stick spray and then adding flour to the pan.  
Nutrition Facts
Homemade Chocolate Cake
Amount Per Serving (12 servings)
Calories 251 Calories from Fat 18
% Daily Value*
Fat 2g3%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Cholesterol 29mg10%
Sodium 418mg18%
Potassium 208mg6%
Carbohydrates 56g19%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 36g40%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin A 78IU2%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 55mg6%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

About Bernice

My passion is bringing to you comforting recipes that are easy to make! But we know everyone has busy lives but still want to enjoy great meals. We provide budget friendly recipes, make ahead meals, 30-minute meals, and cooking tips.