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This past weekend, I celebrated my 27th birthday. So naturally, I had to make a chocolate cake to celebrate.
And before you go thinking “omg she made her own birthday cake that’s so sad,” no, my mom made me the best carrot cake in the world. So this girl actually got two cakes.
I’ve been a fan of chocolate cake ever since…well to be honest it was probably since I watched Matilda and saw that sinfully rich chocolate cake Mrs. Trunchbull made Bruce eat (yes, it was a horrific scene, but can anyone deny that that cake will go down in history as one of the most salivating chocolate cakes ever?).
Even though growing up I preferred cookies and brownies to cake (I know, I should’ve been checked out by a doctor, what was wrong with me?!), homemade chocolate cake was always the one exception. I just loved chocolate cake. So every year for my birthday, I ask for a chocolate cake.
Now. This chocolate cake is special for a few reasons.
- It’s a Blackout Cake. Meaning it is made with dark cocoa for that super rich look.
- It’s sky high, but only has 2 layers, making it easy to assemble.
- It’s made with brewed coffee for added richness and depth of flavor.
- It’s moist as heck.
- The homemade chocolate frosting has cream cheese in it (seriously, you’ll never want to make another frosting again once you have it so hear me out), which imparts just a subtle tanginess and adds to the creamy factor.
Basically, it’s a Blackout Chocolate Cake fit for a queen. Which, on one’s birthday, one should be.
But even if it’s not your birthday, I know you can find some excuse to make this joy of a cake soon. Because you ARE a queen and you deserve it 🙂
Tips for making this blackout cake
This chocolate cake is super easy to make, but you have to use the ingredients I specify (i.e. don’t use regular cocoa powder instead of dark cocoa powder, etc). To make a true blackout cake, you need that blend of ultra rich cocoa powder and coffee. Omit either of these ingredients, and you’ll be left with a regular chocolate cake! (Totally fine on a normal day, but for your birthday you need the real deal). If you’re not a coffee drinker, don’t fret. This blackout cake doesn’t taste much like coffee, but it does make this cake super flavorful.
Real buttermilk is another key ingredient in this cake recipe, as it makes the cake extra moist and adds a subtle tang to the batter. If you’re in a pinch, a buttermilk substitute will work, but the real stuff is preferred!
How to make chocolate frosting
Don’t be scared of homemade frosting! To make a truly epic chocolate cream cheese frosting, you need to make sure all the ingredients are at room temperature. Set everything out on the counter while your cake is in the oven, and by the time you’re ready to make the frosting the butter and cream cheese should be the perfect temperature! Also make sure your coffee is room temp, as it’d otherwise make an absolute mess of your chocolate frosting.
You’ll know the cream cheese frosting is ready when it starts to fluff up in the mixing bowl. And, you know, when you taste it and think it’s amazing…
More Homemade Cake Recipes You Might Like:
Persian Love Cake (Cardamom, Rose, & Almond Cake)
Winter Solstice Cake
Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
Super Fudgy Mocha Layer Cake
30-Minute Red Velvet Cake for Two
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Hi, this looks insane!
Can I substitute the buttermilk out with anything else? Or will take away from the recipe
Hi Naomi! You can make your own buttermilk with milk and vinegar! You can find our recipe here!
Amazing cake! One question… for the frosting it says cocoa powder, not dark cocoa powder?
Should the eggs be cold or room temp?
Hi! Preferably room temperature, but it will not make a huge difference because the base of the cake is oil and not butter!
HI! I’m about to make this recipe into cupcakes this week, what flour do you use? All-purpose, cake flour…? Also, I have Black Onyx cocoa powder, is that what you mean by “dark”?
Bloack onyx cocoa powder will be great! And we used all purpose 🙂
I used JUST EGG instead of the flax egg. This cake turned out perfect and it was moist instead of dry like other gluten free recipes!