Hershey's Special Dark Picnic Cake
Indulge in the rich, chocolaty decadence of Hershey’s Special Dark Picnic Cake—a quick and easy dessert perfect for any casual gathering or sweet craving. Made with Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa Powder, this simple yet flavorful cake delivers an intense dark chocolate flavor in every moist bite. The magic lies in combining everyday pantry staples, like buttermilk and boiling water, to create a beautifully tender texture with minimal prep work. Ready in just under an hour, this crowd-pleaser is dusted with powdered sugar for an elegant yet fuss-free finish. Whether you’re packing a picnic basket or hosting a laid-back dessert hour, this one-bowl cake recipe is a guaranteed hit for chocolate lovers.
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Ingredients
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1.25 cups sugar
- 0.5 cup Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa Powder
- 1.25 teaspoons baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 0.5 cup vegetable oil
- 1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 piece large egg
- 0.5 cup boiling water
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)
Directions
Step 1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a 9x9-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
Step 2
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, sugar, Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa Powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
Step 3
Add the buttermilk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and egg to the dry ingredients. Mix until smooth and no lumps remain, using a hand mixer or whisk.
Step 4
Carefully pour in the boiling water, and stir until the batter is well-mixed. The batter will be thin; this is normal.
Step 5
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula if needed.
Step 6
Bake in the preheated oven for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 7
Allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 15 minutes. Then, remove it from the pan and let it cool completely on the rack.
Step 8
Once cooled, dust the top with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.
Step 9
Slice into squares and enjoy your delicious Hershey's Special Dark Picnic Cake!
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1103.6g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 3091.6 |
| Total Fat 131.8g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 28.5g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 67.7g | |
| Cholesterol 212.8mg | 0% |
| Sodium 3086.9mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 485.9g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 52.5g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 278.0g | |
| Protein 56.5g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 167.9IU | 0% |
| Calcium 574.6mg | 0% |
| Iron 28.5mg | 0% |
| Potassium 2038.4mg | 0% |
Source of Calories