Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsVictoria's Restaurant & Wine BarOld Fashioned Chocolate Cake Recipe

Old Fashioned Chocolate Cake Recipe

Time2h
Serves12

Five-layer chocolate cake, almost as good as Grandma's

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Ingredients

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Cake Layers

Method

Cake Preparation

  1. 1

    Preheat the Oven

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

  2. 2

    Mix Dry Ingredients

    In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

  3. 3

    Combine Wet Ingredients

    In another bowl, combine eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Whisk until well combined.

  4. 4

    Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures

    Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing on medium speed until fully combined.

  5. 5

    Add Boiling Water

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

  6. 6

    Bake the Cakes

    Pour equal amounts of batter into each prepared cake pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

  7. 7

    Cool the Cakes

    Once baked, remove from the oven and let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Frosting Preparation

  1. 8

    Make the Frosting

    In a medium bowl, sift together the cocoa powder and powdered sugar. In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy, then gradually add the cocoa mixture, alternating with the milk and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and fluffy.

  2. 9

    Assemble the Cake

    Once the cakes are completely cool, place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of frosting on top. Repeat this process with the remaining layers, finishing with frosting on the top and sides of the cake.

  3. 10

    Chill and Serve

    For best results, chill the assembled cake in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the frosting to set.

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