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featured double chocolate cake

Double Chocolate Cake Recipe

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 9 slices
Calories: 584kcal
Author: Becky Hardin
This quick and easy double chocolate cake is enriched with two kinds of chocolate to satisfy even the strongest chocolate cravings. Moist chocolate cake with a creamy homemade chocolate frosting.
Print Recipe

Equipment

  • Kitchen Scale (optional)
  • 8x8 Baking Pan
  • Stand Mixer

Ingredients

For the Cake

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • cups granulated sugar
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder *
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • ¾ cup milk room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the Chocolate Frosting

  • ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature (1 stick)
  • ¼ cup heavy cream room temperature
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 4 ounces baking chocolate melted and cooled

Instructions

For the Cake

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8-inch pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
    double chocolate cake ingredients.
  • In a large bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, and baking powder. Whisk to combine.
    1 cup all-purpose flour, 1¼ cups granulated sugar, ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • Add the eggs, vegetable oil, milk, and vanilla and whisk to combine. Mix just until no large lumps remain-- you don’t want to overmix!
    2 large eggs, ½ cup vegetable oil, ¾ cup milk, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    chocolate cake batter in a glass bowl with a whisk.
  • Transfer the batter to the prepared cake pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
    chocolate cake batter in a square baking pan.
  • Allow the cake to cool for 5 minutes in the pan and then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
    baked chocolate cake on a cooling rack.

For the Frosting

  • Add the softened butter to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and cream on medium speed until light and smooth, about 1-2 minutes.
    ½ cup unsalted butter
  • Add the heavy cream and mix to combine.
    ¼ cup heavy cream
  • With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the powdered sugar.
    2 cups powdered sugar
  • Once all of the powdered sugar has been added, add the melted chocolate.
    4 ounces baking chocolate
  • Turn the mixer to high speed and whip the frosting until it becomes light and airy.
    whipped chocolate frosting in a stainless mixing bowl.
  • Once the cake has cooled, dump the frosting on top and use a spoon or offset spatula to create swooshes in the frosting.
    overhead chocolate cake with chocolate frosting

Notes

*While you can use any unsweetened cocoa powder you prefer, I like to use Dutch-process cocoa powder here because there isn’t any baking soda to neutralize the acidity of natural cocoa powder.
Tips:
  • Leave your butter out to soften before you use it in this recipe.
  • Check your cake with a toothpick to see if it’s fully baked. If not, leave it in a bit longer.
  • Let your cake cool a bit before you add the frosting on top, using a spoon to make that adorable swoosh effect.
Storage: Store double chocolate cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 584kcal | Carbohydrates: 77g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 123mg | Potassium: 179mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 62g | Vitamin A: 498IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 102mg | Iron: 2mg