This is a one bowl, 10 minute prep time recipe. Once you make this you will never go back to a box mix! It’s a combo of chocolate, coffee, butta, sugar, a sprinkle of salt. It’s just everyday stuff but when combined, magic happens. The frosting is a two ingredient chocolate ganache. Ganache is just a fancy word for melted chocolate and cream. I do this in the microwave…doesn’t get much easier
The BEST Chocolate Cake- Topped with ganache and a tad of sea salt- yum!
This is the second time I have made this, the first batch didn’t last long enough to take pictures. I don’t know who ate it, I just woke up the next day and it was gone. mmmmmm, hate that when that happens. This time, I snapped a few pics before it went AWOL. You can see by the cake pan in the background that it narrowly made it.
My very first ‘pour shot’! Next time I’d probably clean up the counter behind it :)…. but it sure was fun to take! Oh boy you can almost taste that creamy perfect ganache….
Save a cup of coffee from your morning brew and whip this up. I should mention there is no taste of coffee, it simply enhances the chocolate flavor – your family is soooo gonna love you!
Need more cake? …and who doesn’t? Here is a grown up version of this same easy recipe! It is killer and your friends will love you. Made your in laws mad? Husband cranky? Mend EVERYTHING with this cake. For real.
Double Chocolate Whiskey Cake with Whiskey Ganache !
Don’t let the ingredient list scare you, it’s only long because I included the recipe for an 8 x 8 AND 9 x 13 pan. Because sometimes you need a little cake…and sometimes you need a lot!
A delicious and easy to make chocolate cake your whole family will love, with an easy to make homemade ganache that's 100% foolproof!
- Recipe For an 8 x 8 Cake see recipe for 9 x13 below
- 1 egg
- 1 cup white granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup sour cream Do not use fat free or greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup brewed cooled coffee
- 1 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon table salt
- 1 teaspoon sea salt for sprinkling optional
- For an 8 x 8 Ganache Frosting
- 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Recipe for a 9 x 13 Cake
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups white granulated sugar
- 1 cup sour cream or greek yogurt do not use non fat
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup brewed coffee - cooled
- 2 cups flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons sea salt for sprinkling optional
- Recipe for a 9 x 13 Frosting
- 2 cups semi sweet Chocolate chips
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Select size of cake from above recipe and proceed with instructions:
- Spray an 8 x 8 pan or a 9 x 13 pan with non stick spray.
- In large mixing bowl combine egg, sugar, sour cream, vegetable oil and vanilla until well blended.
- Add cocoa powder and coffee. Mix until no lumps are evident.
- Add flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
- Mix until just combined.
- Pour into prepared pan.
- x 8 pan - bake for 25-30 minutes
- x 13 pan bake for 30-35 minutes
- Or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean
- Let cake cool completely before frosting.
- For Ganache Frosting
- Pour chocolate chips in large microwave save bowl and microwave for one minute until just soft.
- In another microwave safe bowl heat cream until it just begins to boil. About 2 minutes. Pour over chocolate chips and let sit for 2-3 minutes. Using a wire whisk, mix well.Chocolate will melt and will become a creamy consistency. Add vanilla. Cool in fridge for 10-15 minutes before frosting cake.Note: If you are in a hurry to serve, I found that chilling the cake after frosting it, for 30 minutes helped set up the ganache.
Lovingly adopted from Averie Cooks
Hi my mom has a similar recipe that uses buttermilk instead of sour cream. Just wondering if you had tried it with buttermilk.
Hi Holli – probably wouldn’t work in this recipe. Would make the batter runny. Sounds yummy though!
Hi! I wanted to know if the cake is going to taste a little on bitter side with the addition of coffee? I’m making this for kids, I want to make sure that they don’t taste any coffee flavor in it.
Hi Ayesha! – no coffee taste at all! All it does is intensify the chocolate flavor. Taste a lot like the dense kinda chocolate cake we had as kids! (or I had has a kid…depends how old you are LOL!).
How long will it last/keep? Should I keep it in the fridge if I make it two days in advance of the celebration?
Hi Stella – this has a pretty good shelf life. Probably 4-5 days. I store mine in the fridge because I like it cold and it cuts better.
Just made this delicious chocolate cake and had it for supper. WOW! Just like my Grandmother’s German Chocolate Cake . Wasn’t dry at all and soooooo chocolaty. Will be our “go to” chocolate cake from now on.
Would you be able to please tell me approximately how high this rises? I need to make a layer cake this size, and wondering if one cake can be cut horizontally in half or if I’ll need two. I see you spoke about doubling the recipe further up; so maybe that would work however my pan is only 5cm high (2 inches) – wonder if that would be high enough? Thanks for your help.
Hi Kathryn – 2 inches is the standard height of most cake pans and will work fine. Inside the recipe card there is a recipe for an 8 x 8 or a 9 x 13. Hope that helps!
Is the sugar mentioned in the ingredients powdered sugar?
White granulated sugar. Sorry, I need to be more clear on that! I updated the recipe.
Thank you! I’m making this today for my husband’s birthday 😀 Will let you know how it turns out!
I hope you love it as much as we do!
Everyone loved it! So moist and chocolatey! Definitely going to make it again 🙂
Yay! I am so glad, it’s my favorite cake!
Hi, hi I’m looking forward to making this for when my sister’s visit at the weekend.
Hi Pat! I don’t think you will be disappointed. Just be sure to use pretty good cocoa and chocolate. Hersheys will do but stay away from off brands. Have fun and hope she loves your cake!
I love this cake! My house smells amazing when it is baking. The hardest part of this cake is waiting for it to cool to frost it. My husband wants to take a piece right away.
Hi Nancy! This cake is amazing! I want to make it for everyone I love! Did you end up doubling the recipe?
I have not doubled it yet. I was thinking of baking it 40 min when I do. I’m making the frosting now for the 8×8. The hubby was able to hold off a piece while it cooled!
I think this cake would be hard to over bake, it is so moist. I am making it for a big party so will need a couple 9 x 13 pans. Holy chocolate! Lets share if one of us doubles the recipe…I got a feeling it will work just fine!
Would it be possible to double the recipe and bake it in a 9×13 pan? How long would I bake it? I love this cake and would like to make it for a large group.
Seriously, it looks sooooooo good and the addition of sour cream would make it absolutely soft. I can almost taste it 😉
Thanks for the nice comment Molly!
Yum Kathi! I wonder if this recipe would work using almond or oat flour — definitely worth my time to try it because it looks delicious! I’m sure you enjoyed this all week! 🙂
Hi Katie – I really don’t know. I haven’t cooked with either that much. Please let me know if you give it a try! Thanks for your note!
Who can ever say no to a chocolate cake!? Your pictures just make it that much harder to resist! So craving for a slice of chocolate cake after seeing your post!! 😛
Thank you Celine! I find the photography the biggest challenge…the cooking and eating is the easy part! Thank you for your note!
Def looks like the best chocolate cake ever!
I like how it doesn’t use a lot of oil and I’ll use greek yogurt instead of sour cream too. Thanks for sharing
Hi Julia – it is such a moist cake…I kept looking for the butta on the recipe! Thanks for the note!
Wow! This looks so tasty and simple to make! I love the gooey chocolate ganache. It’s a true friend of mine. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Felesha – It’s pretty fabulous cake for how quickly it comes together!
Lovely shots and cake!!!!! I love the messy counter in the pouring picture…making it all rustic and true….it looks delicious thanks for sharing
Rustic is such a nicer word than messy! Love it! Thanks for your note!
This looks wonderful! I have the same problem at my house — it’s gone if I don’t take pictures right away. 🙂
…and ya know what…I just made my third cake yesterday for a friend of my husbands! Man, this cake just keeps on giving! Thanks for your note!
Great pour shot!
I love the addition of coffee to the batter of this cake. Delicious
Thanks Ange – love your site!
OK, after seeing your picture, this is all I can think about! You know, I do have a cup of leftover coffee…ummmmm
Even though this recipe contains many ingredients, I don’t know of any good home cook who doesn’t already have all of these ingredients on hand in her pantry. It’s a very easy recipe, and it goes together quickly. Best of all, it’s something which every chocolate lover will enjoy.
Hi Angela – ya I guess the list does look a little long for a one bowl extravaganza but true, most people should have the majority! Hope you get a chance to give it a try!