Darn Good Chocolate Cake with Martha's Icing

Indulge in the ultimate chocolate lover's delight with this Darn Good Chocolate Cake topped with Martha's luscious homemade icing. This recipe delivers a rich, moist cake thanks to the perfect balance of unsweetened cocoa powder, boiling water for tenderness, and a hint of vanilla extract. Topped with a velvety buttercream icing whipped to perfection, each bite melts in your mouth with a decadent sweetness. Perfect for special occasions or casual gatherings, this two-layer chocolate cake is as visually stunning as it is delicious. With simple ingredients and easy steps, it’s a foolproof recipe that even beginners can master, ensuring you serve a show-stopping dessert every time.

Nutriscore Rating: 43/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 2 cups Granulated sugar
• 0.75 cup Unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1.5 teaspoons Baking powder
• 1.5 teaspoons Baking soda
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 2 large Eggs
• 1 cup Whole milk
• 0.5 cup Vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
• 1 cup Boiling water
• 1 cup Unsalted butter (for icing)
• 4 cups Powdered sugar (for icing)
• 2 tablespoons Milk (for icing)
• 1.5 teaspoons Vanilla extract (for icing)

Directions

Step 1

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

Step 2

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

Step 3

Add the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix with a hand or stand mixer on medium speed until the batter is smooth and well incorporated.

Step 4

Carefully stir in the boiling water. The batter will become thin, but that’s what ensures a moist cake.

Step 5

Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans. Use a spatula to spread the batter out if necessary.

Step 6

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

Step 7

Remove the cakes from the oven and allow them to cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before icing.

Step 8

To make Martha's icing, beat the softened unsalted butter in a large mixing bowl with a hand or stand mixer until creamy.

Step 9

Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, mixing on low speed to avoid a mess. Once all the powdered sugar is incorporated, increase to medium speed and blend until smooth.

Step 10

Add the milk and vanilla extract to the icing, and beat until the mixture is light, fluffy, and easily spreadable.

Step 11

Once the cakes are completely cooled, place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a layer of icing evenly on top of it using an icing spatula.

Step 12

Place the second cake layer on top of the first, and spread icing over the top and around the sides of the cake.

Step 13

Smooth out the icing as desired. Slice and serve the cake or store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2313.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	7721.1

Total Fat 341.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 159.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 67.5g
Cholesterol 920.5mg	0%
Sodium 5211.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 1212.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 70.8g	0%
Total Sugars 918.5g
Protein 84.1g	0%

Vitamin D 321.6IU	0%
Calcium 697.5mg	0%
Iron 42.1mg	0%
Potassium 3599.5mg	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: 37.2%

Protein: 4.1%

Carbs: 58.7%