Double Chocolate Cake

This Double Chocolate Cake is a moist, rich chocolate cake that is topped with a fudge chocolate frosting. It is the perfect cake for any chocoholic!

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 30

Cooling Time 30

Total Time 1 30

Servings servings

Calories 622kcal

Author Deborah Harroun

Ingredients

Cake:

2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs at room temperature
2/3 cup sour cream at room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
10 tablespoons unsalted butter melted and then cooled
2/3 cup vegetable oil or other neutral oil
1 1/4 cups ice-cold water

Frosting:

3 ounces unsweetened chocolate
3 ounces bittersweet chocolate
1 cup unsalted butter softened
3 cups powdered sugar*
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream*

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Grease the bottom and the side of two 9-inch round cake pans. Line the bottoms of the pans with parchment paper, then grease the parchment paper. Dust the sides and bottom with flour and tap out any excess.
In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.
2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour, 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt
In another medium bowl, whisk the eggs lightly. Add the sour cream and vanilla and whisk until blended.
3 large eggs, 2/3 cup sour cream, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Place the cooled butter and vegetable oil in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix together on low speed. Add the cold water and mix to blend. Add the dry ingredients all at once and mix on medium-low for 1 minute. Add the egg mixture, and mix for an additional minute or until well blended, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
10 tablespoons unsalted butter, 2/3 cup vegetable oil, 1 1/4 cups ice-cold water
Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared baking pans.
Bake the cakes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 30-35 minutes. Cool the pans on wire racks for 15 minutes, then invert the cakes onto the wire racks, peel off the paper, and then allow the cakes to cool completely.
To make the frosting, place both the unsweetened and bittersweet chocolate in a stainless steel bowl and place that bowl over a pan of simmering water, making a double boiler. Heat, stirring frequently, until the chocolate is completely melted. Remove from the heat and allow to cool until tepid.
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate
Place the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat the butter at medium speed for about 30 seconds. Gradually start adding the powdered sugar, then beat on high until creamy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the vanilla extract. With the mixer on low, add the cooled chocolate, beating until blended, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the cream as needed to make the frosting a spreadable consistency. Increase the speed on the mixer and mix until the frosting is slightly aerated, about 1 minute.
1 cup unsalted butter, 3 cups powdered sugar*, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream*
To assemble the cake, level the cooled cake layers, if needed. Place one layer on a cake stand or serving plate. Spread a layer of the frosting on the cake, then place the second layer on top. Frost the outside and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting.

Notes

Slightly adapted from The Cake Book

*when I originally posted this recipe, there were only 2 cups of powdered sugar, and no heavy cream.

Cake layers can be wrapped in foil and stored at room temperature 2-3 days in advance. Frosting can be stored up to 3 hours at room temperature, or refrigerated up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before using.

For high altitude: I removed 2 tablespoons of sugar from the cake and added 2 tablespoons of ice water. I also baked the cake at 365ºF.

I made extra buttercream to add to the top. That buttercream is not included in the recipe.

Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts.

Nutrition