One bowl – Ten Minutes is all it takes to make The Best Chocolate Cake! Once you make this you will never go back to a box mix! It’s just simple ingredients the way cake should be but when combined…wow! Just wow! The frosting takes two minutes and is made IN THE MICROWAVE! Not kidding!
The frosting is ganache and that is just a fancy word for melted chocolate and cream. Dont’ be scared…run to the ganache. If you make this once you will make it hundred times and put it on everything!
This recipe calls for coffee. You can not taste the coffee, it simply enhances the flavor of the chocolate. Save a cup of your morning brew or even a cup of instant will do just fine.
NOTE: If you can’t tolerate coffee or you can’t get your hands on any, simply swap out an equal amount of water. It would be better than not having any cake at all today :).
So lets get this party started! Because when you have cake…it’s always a party!
Whip up the easy cake batter and bake it up! No fancy instructions here. Follow the along in the recipe card. Pour it into the cake pan and done!
You can see my cake is perfect in its imperfection.
This is real life cooking here!
Now we are going to make the ganache and fill that big old cake crevice with chocolate! Cake repair coming up!
We make our ganache in the microwave in TWO MINUTES! No kidding!
What kind of chocolate should I use in my ganache?
- You can use regular old semi-sweet chocolate chips or go darker with a 60-65% cacao dark chocolate chip or chunk which is what I used for this recipe. We have had great results with both.
- PRO TIP: Ganache is an equal blend of cream to chocolate. If you ever need more or less this is a good rule of thumb. 1 to 1 ratio. A bit of butter at the end adds a nice sheen to it.
Let the ganache cool in the refrigerator for about 20-30 minutes stirring occasionally while it thickens. Then spread onto the cooled cake.
Once your cake is cool…pour on the ganache! How easy is that!
Put the entire cake into the fridge for about 30 minutes, slice and serve!
How should I store this Best Chocolate Cake?
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days…but it will never last that long!
We love good easy cake around here. A few of the most popular recipes are:
Old Fashioned Yellow Cake with Chocolate Frosting
To cake and the joy it brings!
Clink!
Kathi
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The Best Chocolate Cake!
Ingredients
Ingredients for 9 x 13 cake
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups white granulated sugar
- 1 cup sour cream
- 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
Recipe for Ganache Frosting
- 2 cups semi sweet Chocolate chips
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray a 9 x 13 pan with non stick cooking 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.
- Bake for about 30-35 minutes. Insert toothpick into center if clean when removed cake is done.
- 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. It takes a bit of stirring to get it to come together. Once combined add vanilla and butter and whisk until combined.
- Cool in refridgerator for 20-30 minutes stirring occasionally until thickned. Pour and spread onto cake. Refridgerate cake until ganache is set. Slice and serve.
- Store in refridgerator for up to 4 or 5 days.
Kathryn says
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.
Kathi @ LaughingSpatula.com says
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!
Myra says
Is the sugar mentioned in the ingredients powdered sugar?
Kathi Kirk says
White granulated sugar. Sorry, I need to be more clear on that! I updated the recipe.
Myra says
Thank you! I’m making this today for my husband’s birthday 😀 Will let you know how it turns out!
Kathi Kirk says
I hope you love it as much as we do!
Myra says
Everyone loved it! So moist and chocolatey! Definitely going to make it again 🙂
Kathi Kirk says
Yay! I am so glad, it’s my favorite cake!
pat Charrey says
Hi, hi I’m looking forward to making this for when my sister’s visit at the weekend.
Kathi Kirk says
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!
Nancy Gilsdorf says
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.
Kathi Kirk says
Hi Nancy! This cake is amazing! I want to make it for everyone I love! Did you end up doubling the recipe?
Nancy Gilsdorf says
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!
Kathi Kirk says
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!
Nancy Gilsdorf says
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.
Molly Kumar says
Seriously, it looks sooooooo good and the addition of sour cream would make it absolutely soft. I can almost taste it 😉
Kathi Kirk says
Thanks for the nice comment Molly!
Katie | Honestly Nourished says
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! 🙂
Kathi Kirk says
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!
Celine @ Mrs Minty Cream says
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!! 😛
Kathi Kirk says
Thank you Celine! I find the photography the biggest challenge…the cooking and eating is the easy part! Thank you for your note!
Noor says
Def looks like the best chocolate cake ever!
Julia (@Imagelicious) says
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
Kathi Kirk says
Hi Julia – it is such a moist cake…I kept looking for the butta on the recipe! Thanks for the note!
Felesha says
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!
Kathi Kirk says
Thanks Felesha – It’s pretty fabulous cake for how quickly it comes together!
Manal Obieda says
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
Kathi Kirk says
Rustic is such a nicer word than messy! Love it! Thanks for your note!
Dee says
This looks wonderful! I have the same problem at my house — it’s gone if I don’t take pictures right away. 🙂
Kathi Kirk says
…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
Great pour shot!
I love the addition of coffee to the batter of this cake. Delicious
Kathi Kirk says
Thanks Ange – love your site!
Susan says
OK, after seeing your picture, this is all I can think about! You know, I do have a cup of leftover coffee…ummmmm
Angela says
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.
Kathi Kirk says
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!