The Ultimate Hershey's Chocolate Cake: A Double Dose of Deliciousness
Indulge in a chocolate lover's dream with this Hershey's Chocolate Cake recipe! This decadent cake boasts layers of moist, intensely chocolatey goodness, sandwiched between two luscious frosting options: a classic Whipped Cream Cheese Buttercream and a rich Chocolate Cream Cheese Buttercream.
Ingredients:
- The Chocolatey Foundation:
- 2 cups granulated sugar – sweetens the cake and balances the cocoa's richness
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour – the building block for the cake structure
- ¾ cup Hershey's cocoa – provides the deep, dark chocolate flavor we all love
- 2 tablespoons instant espresso – intensifies the chocolate flavor without bitterness
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder – helps the cake rise for a light and fluffy texture
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda – reacts with the buttermilk for additional lift
- 1 teaspoon salt – enhances the overall flavor profile
- The Wet Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs – bind the ingredients together and contribute to structure
- 1 cup full-fat milk – adds moisture and richness
- ½ cup light vegetable oil – creates a tender crumb
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract – adds a touch of warm vanilla flavor
- 1 cup boiling water – activates the leavening agents and creates a moist crumb
- The Whipped Cream Cheese Buttercream (Optional):
- 1 cup cream cheese – adds tangy creaminess to the frosting
- ¾ cup butter – provides richness and body
- ½ tablespoon vanilla extract – enhances the flavor profile
- 4 cups powdered sugar – sweetens and thickens the frosting
- The Chocolate Cream Cheese Buttercream (Optional):
- ¾ cup butter – provides richness and body
- ¾ cup cream cheese – adds tangy creaminess to the frosting
- 1 ¾ cups Hershey's cocoa powder – intensifies the chocolate flavor
- 5 cups powdered sugar – sweetens and thickens the frosting
- ½ cup + 3 tablespoons whole milk – thins the frosting to a spreading consistency
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract – enhances the flavor profile
Instructions:
- Preheat for Perfection: Before you begin mixing, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures even baking and a perfectly risen cake.
- Preparing the Pans: Generously grease 3 round cake pans with butter. Dust the greased pans lightly with flour to prevent sticking. Tap out any excess flour and set the pans aside.
- The Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, Hershey's cocoa, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures all the dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
- The Wet Ingredients Come Together: In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Building the Batter: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- The Secret Weapon: Slowly stir in the boiling water. The batter will be thin, but that's okay! The hot water helps activate the leavening agents and creates a moist crumb.
- Baking to Bliss: Divide the batter evenly among the three prepared cake pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cake layer comes out clean.
- Cooling the Cakes: Take the baked cakes out of the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10-15 minutes. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Frosting Fun (Choose One or Both!): While the cakes cool, prepare your frosting of choice.
- Whipped Cream Cheese Buttercream: In an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together the softened cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, ½ cup at a time, until fully incorporated. Beat in the vanilla extract for another 30 seconds, or until light and fluffy.
- Chocolate Cream Cheese Buttercream: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, ½ cup at a time, until fully incorporated. Beat in the cocoa powder, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and spreadable.
- Assembling the Masterpiece: Once the cakes are cool, use a cake leveler (or a serrated knife) to ensure they are even in height. Place the first cake layer on a cake
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