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–+ servings
A piece of chocolate cake on a white plate with a bite missing from it.
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Chocolate Cake Recipe

This rich and moist chocolate cake is perfect for any celebration. Easy to make, it's sure to satisfy any sweet tooth!
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
cool for 1 hour1 hour
Total Time1 hour 55 minutes
Course: Cake, Dessert, Desserts
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12
Calories: 595kcal
Author: Shauna

Ingredients

For the Cake

  • 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1½ teaspoons baking soda
  • 1½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 cup boiling water or hot coffee
  • 1½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup canola oil

For the Frosting

  • ¾ cup salted butter softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ⅔ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • ¾ cup heavy cream

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13 baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
  • Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer.
  • Add the milk, eggs, vanilla, and oil into the bowl with the dry ingredients.
  • Beat together with a hand mixer or whisk. Gradually add in the boiling water while mixing to help break apart the batter.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.
  • Bake for 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the cakes comes out with just a few crumbs.
  • Cool cake completely.
  • Meanwhile, prepare the frosting.
  • In the bowl of a standing mixer or with a hand mixer, slowly begin to beat together the softened butter, vanilla, and cocoa powder.
  • Rotate between adding the powdered sugar and heavy cream until both are fully incorporated, and the frosting is fluffy and smooth.
  • Spread the frosting over the cooled cake.
  • Cut and serve.

Notes

  • This exceptional chocolate cake is an original Hershey’s cake recipe. It is similar to the Black Magic Cake. Milk is used instead of traditional buttermilk in the Black Magic Cake, making a bit lighter, fluffier cake.
  • The boiling water is a traditional technique used to help break apart the dry ingredients in the cake batter.
  • The frosting is a bit thicker and richer than the traditional Hershey’s chocolate frosting recipe. It’s a delicious chocolate buttercream frosting.

Nutrition

Calories: 595kcal | Carbohydrates: 85g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 449mg | Potassium: 285mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 64g | Vitamin A: 646IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 2mg