Jul 13 2026

Chocolate Cake Recipe

Time1h 30m
Serves12

Rich chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.

Was this page helpful?

Help improve this recipe for others.

Send this recipe to your inbox.

We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.

Ingredients

Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Cake Ingredients

Frosting Ingredients

Method

Cake Preparation

  1. 1

    Preheat the Oven

    Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.

  2. 2

    Mix Dry Ingredients

    In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.

  3. 3

    Add Wet Ingredients

    Add the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes until well combined.

  4. 4

    Incorporate Boiling Water

    Carefully stir in the boiling water until the batter is smooth. The batter will be thin.

  5. 5

    Bake the Cakes

    Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

  6. 6

    Cool the Cakes

    Remove from the oven and let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then, remove from the pans and allow to cool completely on a wire rack.

Frosting Preparation

  1. 7

    Prepare the Frosting

    In a medium bowl, mix the cocoa powder and softened butter together until well blended.

  2. 8

    Add Sugar and Milk

    Gradually add the powdered sugar and milk, mixing until the frosting reaches your desired consistency.

  3. 9

    Finish with Vanilla

    Stir in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.

  4. 10

    Frost the Cake

    Once the cakes are completely cool, spread the frosting evenly over the top of one cake layer, then place the second layer on top and frost the top and sides.

More from Smitty's Pancake & Steak House