Chocolate Picnic Cake

Perfect for outdoor gatherings or a casual dessert at home, this Chocolate Picnic Cake is a moist and fluffy treat that’s as effortless as it is indulgent. Made with pantry staples like cocoa powder, buttermilk, and a hint of vanilla, this one-bowl wonder combines rich chocolate flavor with a light, tender crumb. The addition of hot water ensures a luxuriously moist texture, while a simple dusting of powdered sugar makes it picnic-ready without the need for heavy frosting. Ready in under an hour and serving up to 10, this easy-to-make chocolate cake is ideal for any occasion where convenience meets decadence.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 10

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 0.5 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 0.75 cup buttermilk
• 0.5 cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 0.5 cup hot water
• 0 powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x9-inch square baking pan and line it with parchment paper to make removal easier.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.

Step 3

In a separate medium bowl, mix the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.

Step 4

Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring just until combined. Avoid overmixing.

Step 5

Slowly add the hot water to the batter, stirring continuously. The batter will be thin, but this helps create a moist cake.

Step 6

Pour the mixture into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.

Step 7

Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 8

Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 9

Once the cake has cooled, dust the top with powdered sugar if desired. Slice and serve!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1037.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2910.5

Total Fat 139.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 31.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 67.6g
Cholesterol 392.1mg	0%
Sodium 2234.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 435.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 47.8g	0%
Total Sugars 221.7g
Protein 60.3g	0%

Vitamin D 175.2IU	0%
Calcium 447.6mg	0%
Iron 29.5mg	0%
Potassium 2389.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 38.7%

Protein: 7.5%

Carbs: 53.9%