Description
This delicious chocolate cake is perfect for any occasion, topped with rich chocolate frosting and decorated with festive sprinkles.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder (unsweetened)
- 1 ⅔ cups sugar (granulated or caster)
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ½ tbsp baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
- ½ tsp salt
- ⅞ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 tsp vanilla bean paste
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips (melted and cooled)
- 2 cups powdered sugar (icing sugar)
- 6 tbsp cocoa powder (unsweetened)
- ⅔ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- ½ cup heavy cream (double cream)
- Easter chocolate eggs, bunnies, sprinkles etc
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 340°F (170°C). Mist a 9×13 inch rectangular cake pan with cake release and line with parchment paper.
- Put the flour, cocoa powder and sugar in a large bowl. Add the baking powder, soda, cinnamon and salt and mix together using a balloon whisk.
- Add the butter, eggs, buttermilk and vanilla. Start beating on the lowest speed setting until the ingredients start to come together.
- Increase the speed gradually, until the batter is completely smooth. Stop the mixer and scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl to make sure everything is incorporated.
- Spoon the batter in the prepared pan and level. Bake for 35 – 40 minutes.
- Check the cake is done by inserting a skewer in the middle – it should come out clean, the cake should be well risen and springy to the touch. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
- Put the chocolate in a bowl and melt in the microwave, in short 30 second bursts, until it melts. Alternatively, set the bowl over a pot of simmering water and allow it to melt gradually using this double boiler method. Set aside.
- Put the powdered sugar and cocoa powder in a mixing bowl (or the bowl of your stand mixer) and mix together to combine. If you can, sift the ingredients into the bowl.
- Add the softened butter and start mixing on low speed, gradually adding the cream until the frosting is well combined.
- Add the melted chocolate and beat together until the frosting holds soft peaks.
- Use a palette knife to spread the frosting over the cake, swirling the surface.
- Add sprinkles, chocolate eggs, chocolate bunnies – whatever you like! Slice the cake using a serrated knife, wiping the knife clean between each slice.
Notes
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature before starting.
- Experiment with different toppings like fresh fruits or whipped cream.
- This cake can be made a day in advance and stored covered at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 80mg