This classic Chocolate Cake reflects a mid-20th-century home baking style, using simple pantry staples like enriched flour, sour milk, baking chocolate, and shortening. Recipes like this became popular as baking powder and commercially processed chocolate became widely available, making rich chocolate cakes more accessible to everyday home cooks. The use of sour milk adds tenderness and a subtle tang that balances the sweetness, while melted baking chocolate provides deep cocoa flavor. Straightforward and dependable, this cake is beloved for its moist crumb, balanced sweetness, and timeless chocolate richness.
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup enriched all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder (heaping)
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup sour milk (or ½ cup milk + 1½ teaspoons vinegar)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 sqs baking chocolate
- 1 tbs shortening
- 2 eggs
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Dry Ingredients
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan.
- Sift together sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt.
Step 2: Melt Chocolate
- In a small saucepan over low heat, melt baking chocolate with shortening.
- Stir until smooth and remove from heat to cool slightly.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
- In a bowl, mix sour milk and vanilla extract.
Step 4: Add Chocolate Mixture
- Stir the melted chocolate mixture into the milk mixture.
- Mix until fully combined.
Step 5: Add Eggs
- Slowly add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry
- Gradually fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
- Beat mixture well until smooth.
Step 7: Bake
- Pour batter into prepared pan.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Step 8: Cool and Serve
- Allow cake to cool in pan for 10 minutes.
- Remove from pan and cool completely before frosting or serving.
Tips
- Substitute butter for shortening for a richer flavor.
- Add ½ cup chopped walnuts for texture.
- Frost with classic chocolate buttercream or cream cheese frosting.
- Replace sour milk with buttermilk for extra tenderness.
- Add 1 tablespoon cocoa powder for deeper chocolate flavor.
- Use a square pan for easier slicing.
- Sprinkle powdered sugar on top for a simple finish.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon for warmth.
Nutrition
Calories: 260kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 5gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 120mgPotassium: 110mgFiber: 1gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 220IUCalcium: 40mgIron: 1.5mg