Description
This rich and moist Sour Cream Chocolate Cake is a decadent dessert made with real cocoa, tangy sour cream, and a perfectly tender crumb. Ideal for birthdays, holidays, or any celebration, this chocolate cake recipe delivers deep chocolate flavor and bakery-style texture.
Ingredients
- For the Cake:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream (full fat)
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup hot water or hot brewed coffee
- For the Chocolate Frosting (optional):
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2–3 tbsp milk, as needed for consistency
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans or one 9×13-inch pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat the granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, sour cream, oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet, mixing until just combined.
- Carefully stir in the hot water or coffee. The batter will be thin – this is normal.
- Pour the batter evenly into prepared pans and bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat butter and cocoa powder until smooth. Add powdered sugar, sour cream, vanilla, and enough milk to achieve desired consistency.
- Once the cake is cool, frost and serve.
Notes
- Coffee enhances the chocolate flavor but can be replaced with hot water.
- Cake layers can be made ahead and frozen for up to 1 month.
- Use full-fat sour cream for best texture and moisture.
- For cupcakes, reduce baking time to 18–22 minutes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
