Karen's Chocolate Birthday Cake

Celebrate any special occasion with Karen’s Chocolate Birthday Cake, a rich and indulgent dessert that’s guaranteed to impress. This moist, tender cake is made with pantry staples like all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, and granulated sugar, but what sets it apart is the addition of boiling water, creating a luxuriously soft texture. Topped with a creamy homemade chocolate buttercream frosting, this cake strikes the perfect balance of sweetness and decadence. Ready in under an hour, it’s easy to make yet impressive enough for any birthday party. Customize with sprinkles or candles for a festive touch, and watch as everyone comes back for seconds! Ideal for chocolate lovers and special celebrations, this recipe serves 12 and ensures the ultimate centerpiece for your dessert table.

Nutriscore Rating: 56/100

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
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 0.5 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (for frosting)
• 0.25 cup whole milk (for frosting)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, then line the bottoms with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2

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

Step 3

Add the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Use an electric mixer or whisk to blend until smooth.

Step 4

Gradually mix in the boiling water. The batter will be thin, but this ensures a moist cake.

Step 5

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Use a spatula to smooth the tops.

Step 6

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

Step 7

Remove from the oven and let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Then, turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 8

To make the frosting, beat the unsalted butter in a medium bowl until light and fluffy.

Step 9

Add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder, beating on low speed to avoid a mess. Gradually increase to medium speed.

Step 10

Add the milk and vanilla extract, beating until smooth and creamy. You can add a bit more milk if the frosting is too thick.

Step 11

Once the cakes are completely cool, place one layer on a serving platter. Spread a generous amount of frosting on top.

Step 12

Place the second layer on top of the frosted bottom layer. Cover the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting.

Step 13

Decorate as desired for a birthday celebration. Slice and serve to enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2140.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	6189.1

Total Fat 215.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 76.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 67.5g
Cholesterol 531.3mg	0%
Sodium 5201.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 1144.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 118.4g	0%
Total Sugars 772.8g
Protein 107.3g	0%

Vitamin D 220.4IU	0%
Calcium 831.7mg	0%
Iron 53.6mg	0%
Potassium 5408.8mg	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: 28.0%

Protein: 6.2%

Carbs: 65.9%