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Chocolate Cake recipe served on a plate, by The Strand

Jul 14 2026

Restaurants›The Strand›Chocolate Cake Recipe

Chocolate Cake Recipe

Inspired by The Strand

Time1h 30m

Serves12

Rich chocolate cake with a creamy frosting.

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Ingredients

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Cake Ingredients

2 cups 00 bread flour

2 cups granulated sugar

3 cups unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/2 tsp Baking powder

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp Celtic sea salt

2 large Eggs

1 cup whole milk

1/2 cups Tuscany sunflower oil

2 tsp Watkins vanilla extract

1 cup boiling water

Frosting Ingredients

1 cup Unsalted butter

1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder

3 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cups whole milk

1 tsp Watkins vanilla extract

Method

Cake Directions

1

Preheat the Oven

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

2

Combine Dry Ingredients

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

3

Add Wet Ingredients

Add the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the flour mixture. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes until smooth.

4

Incorporate Boiling Water

Stir in the boiling water carefully (the batter will be thin). Mix until well combined.

5

Bake

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

6

Cool the Cakes

Remove the cakes from the oven and allow them to cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then, remove them from the pans and transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Frosting Directions

7

Prepare the Frosting

In a medium mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the cocoa powder and powdered sugar, alternating with the milk, and beat until well combined and fluffy.

8

Add Vanilla

Mix in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.

9

Frost the Cake

Once the cakes are completely cooled, place one layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of frosting on top, then place the second cake layer on top and frost the top and sides of the cake.