Feed-a-Crowd Perfect Chocolate Cake
User Reviews
4.7
Feed-a-Crowd Perfect Chocolate Cake
Description
The recipe combines all-purpose flour with baking soda and salt, enriched by cocoa powder blended with boiling water for a smooth chocolate base. Butter and sugars are creamed until fluffy before eggs are added, then alternating additions of dry ingredients and cocoa mixture produce a batter balanced between softness and structure. Baking is done in two buttered and dusted 9x13 inch pans to create even layers.
The resulting cakes are moist and tender, with rich chocolate taste and balanced sweetness. The texture supports slicing and layering for a multi-layer chocolate dessert, great for serving many guests. Mixing the batter thoroughly and weighing the batter equally between pans ensures consistent thickness of each layer.
Baking at 325°F prevents the cakes from doming too much, keeping layers flat and easy to stack. Use a cake tester to check doneness before removing from oven. These cakes can be frosted or served simply with a dusting of cocoa or sugar.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup cocoa powder plus 2 tablespoons
- 1 1/2 cups water boiling
- 3/4 cup milk whole
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups butter room temperature, unsalted
- 1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar firmly packed
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 6 egg large
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325F. Butter two 9x13 inch pans, and line them with waxed or parchment paper. Butter the paper and dust the pans lightly with cocoa powder or flour. Tap out excess.
- In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda and salt. In a small bowl, whisk together cocoa powder with the boiling water until quite smooth and glossy. Pour in the milk, followed by the vanilla and whisk gently to combine the liquids.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream butter with the sugars until light and fluffy, at least 5 minutes. Stop the mixer a few times to scrape down the sides of the bowl and the paddle.
- Stop the mixer and add the eggs, one at a time, beating well between each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is well combined.
- With the mixer on the lowest speed, add about a third of the flour, followed by half the cocoa mixture. Add another third of the flour and the remaining cocoa. Finally, finish with the last of the flour, mixing the batter only until just combined.
- Stop the mixer and scrape down the paddle. Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans.
- Place the pans side-by-side on the middle rack in the oven. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 35-45 minutes. Cool cakes for 5 minutes in the pan, then loosen around the edges with a knife and invert the cakes onto wire cooling racks. Remove parchment paper and discard. Cool completely before frosting.
- Place one cake on a serving plate or tray. Spread a 1/2 inch layer of frosting evenly over the top. Place the second cake on top. Frost the entire cake and sides, smoothing or swirling the frosting as desired.
- Serve at once or refrigerate, loosely wrapped in plastic, for up to four days. To freeze, place the tray in the freezer until solid. Then wrap tightly in plastic wrap and store for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bring to room temperature before serving.
Notes
- Weigh the batter between pans to ensure even cake layers.
- Bake at a lower temperature (325°F) to prevent doming of the cakes.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 19people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 350 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 350kcal | 18% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.7
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