Last week, when my parents were in town, my dad and I made a decadent chocolate cake! Baking has been a favorite tradition between by dad and I since I was a teenager. Growing up, my dad and I would bake chocolate chip cookies together every Sunday. I now carry the tradition on with my daughter, Ellie. This weekly tradition, was something I looked forward to and really connected us. My dad has a sweet tooth and a heart of gold.
He taught me many valuable lessons through our weekly baking sessions. “Clean up as you go so you don’t have a huge mess at the end”, he would say. “Follow the recipe with exactness to get the best result. The same is true in life. Follow the commandments with exactness to get the best result.” He taught me that time together was special. Traditions matter. It’s the small things that matter.
Since Father’s Day is coming up, I thought I would share this decadent chocolate cake recipe with you! I figured you could make it for a special dad in your life!
Decadent Chocolate Cake Recipe
The first time I made this recipe, I made it with my sweet friend. We made two 6″ cakes so we could give one to each of our family’s. Baking is so much more fun when you do it with someone you love! So, this recipe will make one 8″ two layer cake or two 6″ two layer cakes. You could also make cupcakes if you wanted, just decrease the baking time.
The frosting is wickedly delicious! I’m just giving you fair warning! It is addicting!!! I think the frosting would also make a delicious fruit dip. 
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Decadent Chocolate Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- CAKE
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cups all - purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 3/4 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 3/4 cup warm water
- 3 T vegetable oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- FROSTING
- 2 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- dash of salt
- 6 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
- 1 1/2 sticks butter (softened)
- 9 oz bittersweet chocolate (melted and cooled slightly)
- 3/4 cup sour cream
Instructions
- FOR THE CAKE:
- Spray 8" cake pan with pan or non- stick cooking spray or with butter and coat with cocoa powder. I like to use coconut oil spray.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Sift cocoa, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Mix on low just to combined.
- Add eggs, buttermilk, warm water, oil and vanilla.
- Mix on medium until smooth, about 3 min.
- Divide batter between the 2 pans.
- Bake until set and a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean - about 35 min (mine cooks way faster, so I would check the cake at 25 min just to be safe).
- Let cool for 15 min.
- Turn onto wire rack to cool completely.
- FOR THE FROSTING:
- Sift together cocoa, sugar, and salt.
- Beat cream cheese and butter with a mixer on medium speed until smooth.
- Add sugar / cocoa mixture and beat until combined.
- Pour chocolate into mixture slowly while mixing.
- Add sour cream and beat until combined.
- ASSEMBLE CAKE:
- Place 1 cake layer on your favorite cake stand.
- Spread 2 cups of chocolate frosting onto top of 1 cooled cake layer.
- Top with remaining layer.
- Frost top and sides with the rest of the frosting.
- NOTE:
- You can make the frosting 5 days ahead and store in the fridge.
- Bring to room temperature and beat before using.
- You can make the cake ahead.
- Wrap in plastic wrap and store in the fridge.
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So fun to see you in the kitchen with your dad. Thank you for sharing the recipe. Timing of it is perfect.
Do you prefer salted or unsalted butter ?
Thanks in advance
Looks delicious can’t wait to try it. That’s so sweet you and your dad did it together and used to bake cookies. You have such special memories to hold onto to.
Oh my goodness, I love this picture of you and your dad. Your parents are the sweetest people ever, and you have learned well from them. I love this cake idea. It will be a hit for Fathers Day and Clark will love it. Thanks for your suggeestions. Those dishes are ordered and will be mine soon. Love them.
Thanks Randi, for your great blog. I look forward to it each week, and so does my pocketbook. OUCH!!!
Love this picture of you and your Dad. Your parents are the best and your blog is amazing.
I am ordering those plates they are so cute.
Thanks for giving us this great recipe for Fathers Day. It will be loved I am sure.
Love,
Roberta Inglet