This really is The Best Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Frosting!
Today marks two years since I started this little hobby that has all but consumed my life and fed my family. I knew when I started that I was really committing and I’m happy to say I’ve stuck with it, never going more than a week without posting. I figure my family needs to eat anyways, you might as well be along for the ride.
While I primarily blog for you, dear reader, it has also taught me a lot of things about who I am. There are many different kinds of bloggers out there, and I’m not just talking about food vs. crafts. There are those who specialize in Google+, those who join every social network available, those who post multiple times a day, and those to join every linky party (for those of you who don’t know, linky parties are a way of putting your content out there and they are, in my opinion, miserable) just to name a few.
I have had to make decisions time and again as a blogger as to who I want to be in this space of mine. I need to temper my ambition with my call to care for my home and family. If I’m not able to participate on Twitter today it’s ok, because I worked on colors with my son. If I don’t get pictures taken of the really great meal I made it’s ok, because my family got to eat it. Some things still get to be special and private and just for us. While I still have big dreams for blogging, it helps to remind myself daily that I can take it slow and do it my way.
In two years’ time I still feel like I only know a handful of you. I want to get to know you, and the only way I can think to do that is for you to tell me who you are! Leave a comment here on the blog, on my Facebook page, or tweet at me. Leave a link to your Pinterest profile! Whatever you want to do just let me know you’re here and who you are.
And of course there must be chocolate cake. This was the other cake I made for the guests at my son’s first birthday party. It’s my favorite go-to chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and it is unbelievably perfect. Leave it to Hershey’s to get it just right.
If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!
Recipe
The Best Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Frosting
Ingredients
Cake
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 ¾ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup Hershey’s unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
Frosting
- 1 cup butter
- 1 ⅓ cup Hershey’s unsweetened cocoa powder
- 5 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ½-2/3 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350ºF. Grease and flour two 9 inch round baking pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk together sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla and mix with an electric beater on medium speed for 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water. Pour the batter into the prepared pans.
- Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center of one of the cakes comes out clean. Let cool 10 minutes, then carefully invert onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- To make the frosting, melt the butter and place in a large bowl. Stir in cocoa powder. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating with an electric mixer, until desired consistency is reached. I prefer my frosting a little stiff. If you want a silkier frosting add more milk a little at a time. If you want a stiffer or sweeter frosting, add more powdered sugar.
- Use frosting immediately on cooled cakes. Cake will last tightly wrapped in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Wendy says
*sigh* Isn’t chocolate cake just the best? As for cookies … I love a big, fat, soft oatmeal cookie loaded with raisins, pecans and coconut 🙂
Kendra says
Happy Birthday Lindsay! And that cake – omg – I love chocolate cake and that frosting makes me want to take a spoon to the bowl and eat it that way!
Lindsay Moe says
Thanks Kendra! The whole spoon and bowl thing – that definitely happened!
Shelly says
Happy blogiversary! This cake looks heavenly! I’d love to try it using the dark cocoa, as I’m a huge dark chocolate lover!
Lindsay Moe says
Oh man, dark cocoa would be awesome! Thanks for stopping by!
Beth says
Congrats, Lindsay! Sending my wishes for many many more successful years to come! Love your chocolate cake; paired with fresh raspberries=Heaven on Earth =)
Lindsay Moe says
Thank you! The raspberries make me feel like I’m being healthy… Next to a giant slice of cake. A girl can dream! Good luck in the giveaway!
Wehaf says
Happy anniversary! I eat gluten-free, I love vegetables, I prefer recipes where I don’t have to measure precisely, and my favorite kind of pie is pumpkin.
Lindsay Moe says
Great info! Thanks for entering!
Margot C says
Hi and happy birthday! I am a homemaker in Southern California who dreams and thinks about baking a really disproportionate amount of the time.
Ever searching for the “perfect” chocolate cake for the chocolate cake fiends around here I arrive at your charming blog. So you are a team “baking soda and baking powder – both” – me too.
Lindsay Moe says
Haha I think about food way too much too! Good luck in the giveaway!
Emily R. says
Happy anniversary! I’m a 29-year-old editor living in Memphis, Tennessee, with my husband and two cats. I’ve just begun cooking and baking more (after letting my husband do all the cooking for the last three years) and trying to push our family toward healthy eating. It’s bound to be a fun and interesting journey!
Lindsay Moe says
Thank you! Good luck in the giveaway!
Shana says
This looks fantastic and is well timed – I’ve got my father-in-laws birthday to bake for next weekend!
Lindsay Moe says
Yes! This cake is perfect for birthdays!
Trish says
Happy blogiversary 🙂 I’m a pretty new reader here, but I like what I’ve seen so far! Ever since I had a baby (almost a year ago) and moved away from my friend and family it has been a little bit difficult to stay motivated to cook. There’s not one to pawn leftovers onto! The way you cook for your family totally inspires me to cook better for mine.
Lindsay Moe says
Thanks Trish! I’m glad you’re here and getting inspired! Good luck in the giveaway!
Mimi says
I’m a new reader and instantly fell in love with your site! I’m also a fellow food blogger, check out my site 😀
Lindsay Moe says
I’m glad you’re here! I love your site, it will give me some great ideas for you if you win!
Cindy A. says
Happy Blogiversary! Thank you so much for not only sharing your recipes, but also for offering this wonderful giveaway.
A little about me… I’m hopelessly addicted to Target, pumpkin flavored everything, and my slow cooker. I love to search thrift shops for vintage treasures, my favorite season is fall, and I always dress up for Halloween. I watch way too much T.V. (The Walking Dead, Dexter, True Blood, etc.) but I also love to read. I have always loved the classics – Wuthering Heights, Pride and Prejudice, Emma. I also love music and am currently attempting to teach myself to play drums.
Lindsay Moe says
Wow, we have a lot in common! Good luck in the giveaway!
Lou says
I just found your site, and love your recipes. Thanks.
Meryl says
This is the first time I’ve visited your site, and I like it a lot. I’m a chocoholic, and specialize in deep dark decadent chocolate desserts.
Madeline says
I adore chocolate cake, a little too much! I use Hershey’s dark chocolate powder in tons of dishes, even my morning oatmeal.
Lindsay Moe says
Yum! What a great idea!
Ang says
Hi! I’m a fellow OBC member and saw your post. That cake looks AH-MA-ZING! Congrats on your second year of blogging – so awesome!! I’ve been blogging for a year and a half and love it.
Happy Monday!
ang
Lindsay Moe says
Thanks Ang!
Tammy Northrup {Yours and Mine ARE Ours} says
Wow that cake looks mouth watering! I seriously doubt mine would last in the fridge for 3 days but that’s because someone would eat it! haha! We have six children (only one still home) and two grandchildren so there’s always someone around to sneak a bite.
Lindsay Moe says
That sounds like the best excuse to make a cake! As long as there’s someone to help you eat it, otherwise you will definitely want to finish it off by yourself!
Tara says
Hi! Happy Blogiversary! I’ve recently found your blog as I’m trying to make my little family of three eat healthy real food. As a mom to a toddler, it’s so important to me that my family eat together each night, so simple recipes with real ingredients are important to me. I meal plan each week so I save time by knowing what we’re eating each night and so we waste less food. I love to cook but sometimes feel uninspired when meal planning. Your Monday Menu posts definitely help! I’m trying out your vodka pasta recipe this week. 🙂
Lindsay Moe says
I’m glad you’re here and finding some inspiration! We looooove that pasta, you’ll have to let me know what you think!
Kay says
Mmm, that chocolate cake looks delicious!
Becca from ItsYummi.com says
I think this chocolate cake should be the prescription for world peace!
I’m a trained chef and food blogger over at ItsYummi.com
I’m a chef, a baker, and a HAPPINESS maker! 🙂
Lindsay Moe says
I’m sure you do make people happy! Food goes right to the heart and stomach.
Alexis says
I’m a young professionl who loves to cook and bake. Although I must admit I’m much better at baking than cooking!
Lindsay Moe says
That’s impressive! I feel like most people struggle with baking rather than cooking.
Gillian @ The Haas Machine says
I’ve always wanted to get better at frosting cakes- this looks so simple & pretty! I’ll have to give it a whirl next time.
Kathleen @ Fearlessly Creative Mammas says
First, happy anniversary/birthday! I’m not sure which applies here. That cake looks fantastic! I love chocolate. I have a blog called Fearlessly Creative Mammas and I love it! My daughter and I have been blogging together for 7 months. I have another blog called Pebble Pirouette, which covers all of my travels around the world that I have written for almost two years. Here are my links, in case you are interested!
http://www.pinterest.com/krclegg
http://www.pinterest.com/fearlesslycm
http://instagram.com/krclegg
@fcmammas
https://plus.google.com/u/0/107987175401323084065/posts
Lindsay Moe says
Haha, I never know what to call it either! Thanks for all the ideas!
Lauren says
Love Chocolate Cake!!
I am a new blogger at From Gate to Plate, a trained chef, and a lover of all things outdoors.
My links are listed below if you’d like to come visit 🙂
http://fromgatetoplate.com
http://facebook.com/fromgatetoplate
Lindsay Moe says
Thanks for stopping by and leaving your links! Your s’mores bars look to die for!
Stephanie says
Lindsay, I love reading your blog! 🙂 And your chocolate cake has made its way to my heart today…might be just what the chef ordered. 😉
Dorothy Teel says
Happy Blog Anniversary, did you eat that chocolate cake all by yourself, I have been waiting for my piece, seriously it looks wonderful and keep up the blogging, I love surprises
Kacia says
Happy 2 Years!!!! That cake looks AMAZING!
Stephanie @ Back for Seconds says
Well, I am obsessed with all things chocolate so this cake is right up my alley! Beautiful!
Janet says
Congratulations on your 2nd anniversary and for being named a finalist for the MIXED baking contest!
Looks like you’re having a fabulous year!
xo
D Schmidt says
I am a stay at home that recently moved across country and took an interest in baking.
manda says
Great giveaway!