Description
A rich, moist chocolate cake made with classic Hershey’s cocoa, featuring a tender crumb and smooth, creamy chocolate frosting perfect for any celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened Hershey’s cocoa powder
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- ⅔ cup Hershey’s cocoa powder (for frosting)
- 3 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
- ⅓ cup milk (for frosting, add more if needed)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract; beat on medium speed for 2 minutes until smooth.
- Carefully stir in boiling water; batter will be thin.
- Pour batter evenly into prepared pans and bake 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes; run a knife around edges and remove to wire racks to cool completely.
- For frosting, cream butter and cocoa powder until smooth and fluffy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar alternating with milk; beat until light and fluffy.
- Add vanilla extract and beat until smooth; adjust consistency with milk or powdered sugar as needed.
- Frost one cake layer, top with second layer, then frost top and sides of cake.
Notes
Level cake layers with a serrated knife if desired. Decorate with chocolate shavings or sprinkles. Cake layers can be baked a day ahead and wrapped tightly. Freeze well for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 50mg