Description
A rich and moist chocolate cake made with Hershey’s cocoa powder for deep, nostalgic flavor and a tender crumb. Finished with creamy chocolate frosting, it’s a timeless dessert favorite.
Ingredients
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup Hershey’s unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 large eggs
1 cup milk or buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water or hot coffee
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
2/3 cup Hershey’s cocoa powder (for frosting)
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk or cream
1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and flour two 9-inch round pans or one 9×13-inch pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Beat until the batter is smooth.
- Stir in boiling water or coffee. The batter will be thin.
- Pour the batter into prepared pans.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For frosting, cream the butter, then mix in cocoa and powdered sugar alternately with milk. Beat until fluffy.
- Add vanilla extract and mix until smooth.
- Frost the completely cooled cake as desired.
Notes
Add 1 tsp espresso powder to the batter for deeper chocolate flavor.
Bake as cupcakes by reducing bake time to 18–20 minutes.
Swap frosting for cream cheese frosting for a tangy contrast.
Add chocolate chips to the batter for extra richness.
Stack layers with frosting between for a classic layer cake.
Store at room temperature for 2–3 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Freeze slices individually and thaw as needed.
Microwave a slice for 10–15 seconds to refresh texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 44g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 63g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
