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Epic One Bowl Chocolate Cake

Birthday? Anniversary? Going-away party? This super-easy, one-bowl layer cake is the perfect dessert for any gathering of chocolate buffs.
Servings: 8
Calories: 927kcal
Author: Donal Skehan

Ingredients

For the cake:

  • 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter softened, for greasing
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened Dutch cocoa powder plus more for pans
  • 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 low-fat buttermilk
  • 3/4 cup warm water
  • 3 tbsp safflower oil
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

For the frosting:

  • 2 1/4 cups confectioners’ sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 6 ounces cream cheese room temperature
  • 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter softened
  • 9 ounces bittersweet chocolate melted and cooled slightly
  • 3/4 cup creme fraiche or sour cream

Instructions

Cake

  • Preheat oven to 350F/170C.
  • Butter two 8-inch round cake pans (2 inches deep); dust with cocoa.
  • Sift cocoa, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the bowl of a mixer. Beat on low speed until just combined.
  • Raise speed to medium, and add eggs, buttermilk, water, oil, and vanilla. Beat until smooth, about 3 minutes.
  • Divide batter between pans.
  • Bake until set and a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean, about 35 minutes.
  • Let cool for 15 minutes. Turn out from pans.
  • Transfer, faceup, to wire racks. Let cool completely.

Frosting

  • Sift together sugar, cocoa, and salt.
  • Beat cream cheese and butter with a mixer on medium-high speed until smooth.
  • Reduce speed to medium-low; gradually add sugar-cocoa mixture, and beat until combined.
  • Pour in chocolate in a slow, steady stream.
  • Add creme fraiche; beat until combined.
  • Spread 2 cups chocolate frosting onto the top of 1 cooled layer of cake.
  • Top with remaining layer; frost top and sides with remaining 2 cups frosting.

Nutrition

Calories: 927kcal | Carbohydrates: 115g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 51g | Saturated Fat: 27g | Cholesterol: 139mg | Sodium: 568mg | Potassium: 526mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 85g | Vitamin A: 1096IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 137mg | Iron: 5mg