Classic Chocolate Cake

Every baker needs a signature chocolate cake, and this is mine.

This cake may be easy to make, but don’t be fooled – this is one of the finest cakes around, combining a rich “devil’s food cake” with a sweet and creamy Swiss meringue buttercream.

If I could only eat one chocolate cake for the rest of my life, this would be it. I dare your disagreement!

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5 from 4 votes

Classic Chocolate Cake

A classic cake that is easy to make, and bursting with rich chocolate sweetness!

Prep Time45 mins

Cook Time1 hr

Total Time1 hr 45 mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: British

Servings: 16

Calories: 838kcal

Ingredients

 

MetricUS Customary

 

1x2x3x

Chocolate cake

• 75 g cocoa powder
• 325 g plain flour
• 450 g sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp fine salt
• 250 ml whole milk
• 2 large eggs
• 75 g rapeseed oil
• 1 tsp vinegar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 125 ml coffee

Chocolate buttercream

• 165 g egg whites
• 335 g sugar
• 500 g unsalted butter (softened)
• 165 g dark chocolate (chopped)

Instructions

Chocolate cake

• Preheat oven to 180c (160c fan).
• Prepare two 8-inch cake pans by spraying with baking spray and lining the bottom with baking parchment
• Sift the cocoa powder into the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Using the paddle attachment, stir through flour mixture until ‘sifted’ and well combined.
• Measure 250ml milk out into a large jug. Add the eggs and whisk lightly to break up the yolks. Add the vegetable oil, vanilla and vinegar, and whisk again to combine. With the stand mixer running on low speed, pour the milk mixture into the dry ingredients in a steady stream.
• Once the jug is empty, measure 125ml strong black coffee into it. Add this to the cake batter, and stir again.
• Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat on high speed for another 30 seconds.
• Distribute cake batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans – about 720g in each.
• Bake for 30-45 minutes, until the top of the cake feels firm to the touch.
• Remove from the oven and set the pan on a cooling rack.
• Cool for 5 minutes in the tin, then invert the cakes and peel off the baking parchment.
• Leave to cool completely.

Chocolate buttercream

• Place the egg whites and sugar into a heatproof bowl, and set over a bain-marie.
• I use the bowl of a stand mixer, to make everything cleaner and easier.
• Stir gently over a medium heat until the sugar has all dissolved.
• Whisk the meringue mixture for about 7 minutes, until cool and thick.
• Add the butter, a little at a time, and continue whisking until the buttercream is smooth.
• Melt the dark chocolate in the microwave, in short bursts, stirring regularly.
• Allow the chocolate to cool a little, then add to the buttercream and whisk again.

Assembly

• Trim the tops of the cooled cakes, using a bread knife.
• Split the cakes in two, to make 4 thin cakes.
• Stack the cakes, spreading a layer of the chocolate buttercream between each one.
• Spread the remaining buttercream all over the top and sides.
• Create an attractive swirl pattern in the buttercream, if you like.
• This is made easier with the use of a turntable.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 838kcalCarbohydrates: 97gProtein: 9gFat: 49gSaturated Fat: 26gCholesterol: 127mgSodium: 341mgPotassium: 334mgFiber: 4gSugar: 70gVitamin A: 1131IUCalcium: 76mgIron: 4mg

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