I have never been a fan of cake mix cakes. Yes, I like to doctor up a cake mix every once in awhile, like in my cake mix cookies, but eating it as just cake, is not for me.
I actually don’t think they have ever been a fan of cake mix cakes. However, give me a piece of a homemade chocolate cake and I am very happy.
As much as I love homemade chocolate cake though, I don’t always have a lot of time to make one. So, when I make a homemade cake, I usually prefer it to be just a simple and basic cake. This recipe today is exactly that. A simple, yet basic chocolate cake.
I recently needed a dessert to take to a church dinner, so I looked through my cookbooks to see if I could find something that looked good. I ending up making and taking this cake. I did not come home with any leftovers. From what everyone said it was very good.
One of the things I love about this recipe is that it adapted very well into a gluten free cake. So, I can now make both a gluten filled and a gluten free version. I love being able to do this because then everyone in my family feels like they are eating the same thing.
Chocolate Cake
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, room temperature
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, plus more for pan
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter an 8-inch-round cake pan. Dust bottom and sides of pan with cocoa, tapping out excess.
- Stir together cocoa, flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream butter and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each and scraping down sides of bowl as needed.
- Beat in vanilla. Reduce speed to low.
- Add flour mixture in two batches, alternating with the sour cream and beginning and ending with the flour.
- Spread batter in prepared pan. Tap pan firmly on counter top once to eliminate some of the air bubbles.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until cake tests done.
- Cool 10 minutes in pan, then invert cake onto a wire rack.
- Cool and frost. I like to frost this with ganache, but you can use another type of frosting.
This recipe is adapted from Martha Stewart.
This post linked to Ultimate Recipe Swap and Foodie Friday.
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
That looks fantastic! And the ganache looks like it went perfectly with it! YUM!
Becky´s last blog ..You Are Always On My Mind…
That looks so good! I have never made a cake without using a box mix,but I think I am gonna give this one a try!
I’m in love.
FoodontheTable´s last blog ..Meal Planning for Busy Spring Schedules
I’m with you sister… no cake mixes for me!!
ButterYum
ButterYum´s last blog ..Quick Lemon Mousse
Lynn, I found your blog on Foodie Friday… I need to get back and do some posting over there… But I am looking at your blog. You have a wonderful blog, So easy to read and follow. Extremely well done… I thought my blog looked good, but yours is great… I have this chocolate addiction, and I saw your chocolate cake, and I had to come over and take a look. Very well done. When you have time, come on over and take a look at mine…
Take care, (and may you be blessed with many hits)
Michael Long
Michael´s last blog ..Sugar-Crusted Chocolate Cookies or a French Sable cookie
Okay, I’m making a birthday cake for my son and was planning to make a layered chocolate cake. This recipe looks scrumptious but, I’ve got a problem – it’s only one layer. Ever tried doubling it and making two layers?
I made your cake for my son’s 3rd birthday and this was what one of the mom’s posted about her daughter’s reaction to it on Facebook: “Thanks for a fun morning! The first thing she told marc about the party was that there was ‘chocolate chocolate chocolate cake and she love love love LOVED it’!” Just thought I’d share. I really love your recipes. We made this one with your chocolate frosting too.
I am about to bake this for my birthday cake! Reasons for baking my own cake: My husband is a disaster in the kichen. Son has severe peanut allergy and can’t eat a store bought cake. I look at this as a blessing because I can make just the kind of cake that I want!!
Thanks for the recipe!