This French Chocolate Cake is known for its exceptionally moist and velvety texture, achieved through the use of boiling water and a blend of cocoa and shortening. It offers a rich chocolate flavor with a tender crumb, perfect for celebrations or indulgent treats. Paired with a luxurious whipped chocolate frosting, this cake is both nostalgic and decadent, a classic mid-century recipe that's stood the test of time.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- ½ cup cocoa (instant)
- ¾ cup boiling water
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ cup butter
- 2 cups sugar
- 3 eggs (room temperature)
- 2 cups cake flour (sifted)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the Whipped Chocolate Frosting:
- 6 tbsp butter
- 2 oz unsweetened chocolate
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ – ⅓ cup milk
- 1 whole egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Cocoa Mixture
- Combine cocoa with boiling water in a bowl. Stir until smooth.
- Cool slightly, then mix in sour cream and baking soda.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Step 3: Add Eggs
- Beat in eggs, one at a time, until fully incorporated.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
- Sift together cake flour and salt.
- Add dry ingredients to the creamed mixture alternately with the cocoa-sour cream mixture.
- Stir in vanilla.
Step 5: Bake the Cake
- Pour batter into greased and floured 8″ x 13″ pan or two 9″ pans.
- Bake at 300°F for 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Do not remove from pan immediately. Let cool completely before frosting.
Step 6: Make Whipped Chocolate Frosting
- Melt butter and chocolate over low heat. Cool.
- Beat in powdered sugar, salt, milk, egg, and vanilla.
- Place bowl over warm water and beat until mixture is fluffy and slightly thickened.
- Cool completely before spreading on cake.
Tips
- Do not remove the cake from the pan before frosting, as noted on the card
- Chill frosting slightly if it becomes too soft while spreading
- Use Dutch-process cocoa for a deeper chocolate flavor
- Frost only after cake has completely cooled
- Spread frosting between two layers for a more dramatic presentation
- Lightly grease and flour pans to prevent sticking
- Beat frosting until color lightens, as described, for correct texture
- Serve with whipped cream or fresh berries if desired
Nutrition
Calories: 425kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 4gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1.2gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 210mgPotassium: 160mgFiber: 2gSugar: 37gVitamin A: 320IUCalcium: 28mgIron: 2.5mg
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