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
Katie | Honestly Nourished says
October 25, 2015 at 11:24 pmYum 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! 🙂
Kathi Kirk says
October 26, 2015 at 3:05 pmHi 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!
Celine @ Mrs Minty Cream says
October 26, 2015 at 5:36 amWho 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!! 😛
Kathi Kirk says
October 26, 2015 at 3:09 pmThank you Celine! I find the photography the biggest challenge…the cooking and eating is the easy part! Thank you for your note!
Noor says
October 24, 2015 at 2:47 amDef looks like the best chocolate cake ever!
Julia (@Imagelicious) says
October 23, 2015 at 5:12 pmI like how it doesn’t use a lot of oil and I’ll use greek yogurt instead of sour cream too. Thanks for sharing
Kathi Kirk says
October 23, 2015 at 6:51 pmHi Julia – it is such a moist cake…I kept looking for the butta on the recipe! Thanks for the note!
Felesha says
October 23, 2015 at 12:45 pmWow! This looks so tasty and simple to make! I love the gooey chocolate ganache. It’s a true friend of mine. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Kathi Kirk says
October 23, 2015 at 6:54 pmThanks Felesha – It’s pretty fabulous cake for how quickly it comes together!
Manal Obieda says
October 23, 2015 at 6:55 amLovely shots and cake!!!!! I love the messy counter in the pouring picture…making it all rustic and true….it looks delicious thanks for sharing
Kathi Kirk says
October 23, 2015 at 6:56 pmRustic is such a nicer word than messy! Love it! Thanks for your note!
Dee says
October 23, 2015 at 6:34 amThis looks wonderful! I have the same problem at my house — it’s gone if I don’t take pictures right away. 🙂
Kathi Kirk says
October 23, 2015 at 6:58 pm…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!
Ange says
October 22, 2015 at 10:07 pmGreat pour shot!
I love the addition of coffee to the batter of this cake. Delicious
Kathi Kirk says
October 23, 2015 at 7:01 pmThanks Ange – love your site!
Susan says
October 22, 2015 at 6:47 pmOK, after seeing your picture, this is all I can think about! You know, I do have a cup of leftover coffee…ummmmm
Angela says
October 20, 2015 at 5:28 pmEven 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.
Kathi Kirk says
October 20, 2015 at 7:34 pmHi 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!