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The BEST Chocolate Cake with Fudge Frosting

This fudgy, outrageously delicious Chocolate Cake may be the BEST Chocolate Cake I've EVER had. Seriously! You've got to try it with this decadent fudge frosting, too.
Prep Time2 hours 15 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
Total Time2 hours 50 minutes
Course: Cakes/Cupcakes, Dessert
Cuisine: American, Dessert
Servings: 16
Author: Hayley Parker, The Domestic Rebel

Ingredients

  • FOR THE CAKE:
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup cocoa powder I like Rodelle's Organic Cocoa
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil
  • 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup HOT black coffee make sure it's strong!
  • FOR FUDGE FROSTING:
  • 1/2 cup butter cubed
  • 4 ounces (1 small box) bittersweet chocolate chopped
  • 1 lb (16 ounce box) confectioners' sugar (powdered sugar)
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
  • Sprinkles for decorating

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Liberally grease a 9x13" rectangular baking pan with cooking spray; set aside. Or, if using another pan, spray liberally with cooking spray (such as two 9" rounds, or a Bundt pan, or line 2 muffin tins with 24 paper liners).
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until combined. Add in the oil, vanilla, buttermilk and eggs and beat on low speed until combined. Gently and slowly pour in the hot coffee until the batter comes together. Batter will be quite thin; this is okay.
  • Pour the batter evenly into the pan or pan(s) or cupcake liners. Bake the 9x13" rectangular pan for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean or with moist, not wet, crumbs. Cool completely. (Other pan times will be at the end of this recipe).
  • To make the frosting: In a large bowl, combine the cubed butter and chopped chocolate bar. Microwave on HIGH power for about 30 seconds, stirring until completely melted and smooth. Cool for 5 minutes. Add the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla to the chocolate mixture and beat it on HIGH speed for 5-7 minutes or until the frosting is light and fluffy. It's easiest to do this in a stand mixer.
  • Spread the frosting onto the cooled cake and smooth out the top. Sprinkle liberally with sprinkles, if using. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours to set before cutting into slices.
  • FOR CUPCAKES: Bake for 15-20 minutes.
  • FOR BUNDT CAKE: Bake for 55-65 minutes.
  • FOR TWO 9" ROUND CAKES: Bake for 25-30 minutes.