Moist Buttermilk Chocolate Cake – Rich, Velvety & Irresistible

This classic chocolate cake gets an upgrade with tangy buttermilk, creating a melt-in-your-mouth texture and deep cocoa flavor. It’s the perfect dessert for any celebration or cozy night in.

🎉 Introduction

There’s nothing quite like a moist, rich slice of chocolate cake—and this Moist Buttermilk Chocolate Cake hits every note perfectly. The secret? Buttermilk. It brings a gentle tang and creates an incredibly tender crumb that makes this cake almost fudge-like in texture. 🍫💛

Whether you’re baking for a birthday, holiday, or just a Tuesday, this recipe is guaranteed to win hearts and satisfy cravings. Frost it with your favorite chocolate buttercream or ganache, and get ready for compliments!

🛒 Ingredients

(Makes one 9-inch two-layer cake or a 9×13 sheet cake)

🧁 For the Cake

• 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• 1½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup hot water or hot coffee (for enhanced chocolate depth)

🍫 Optional Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3½ cups powdered sugar
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

👩‍🍳 Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Batter

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans or one 9×13-inch pan.
2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Mix until well combined.
4. Slowly add hot water or coffee, mixing until the batter is smooth and slightly thin.

Step 2: Bake

1. Pour batter evenly into prepared pans.
2. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
3. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Step 3: Make the Frosting

1. In a large bowl, beat butter until creamy.
2. Add cocoa powder, then slowly beat in powdered sugar.
3. Add cream, vanilla, and salt, beating until fluffy.
4. Frost cooled cake layers or the sheet cake as desired.

🍽️ Servings & Timing

• Servings: 12–14
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Bake Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: ~50 minutes + cooling

🥄 Variations

• Bundt Cake: Bake in a Bundt pan and dust with powdered sugar
• Cupcakes: Makes about 24 cupcakes; reduce bake time to 18–20 minutes
• Fudge Topping: Replace buttercream with a rich chocolate ganache
• Berry Surprise: Add a layer of raspberry jam between cake and frosting
• Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle toasted hazelnuts or pecans on top

🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead

• Room Temp: Store covered for up to 2 days
• Fridge: Keeps well up to 5 days; bring to room temp before serving
• Freezer: Freeze unfrosted layers up to 2 months—wrap tightly in plastic and foil
• Make-Ahead Tip: Bake cake layers a day in advance and frost fresh

❓ 10 FAQs

1. Why buttermilk in chocolate cake?
   It adds moisture, tang, and enhances the chocolate flavor.
2. Can I use milk instead?
   Yes, but add 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar per cup of milk as a substitute.
3. Can I use Dutch cocoa?
   Absolutely—both natural and Dutch-process cocoa work.
4. Why hot water or coffee?
   It “blooms” the cocoa, deepening flavor and helping create a moist crumb.
5. Can I skip the frosting?
   Yes, it’s delicious dusted with powdered sugar or served plain.
6. Can I use a stand mixer?
   Yes, but a whisk and spatula work just as well.
7. Can this be made gluten-free?
   Yes—use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
8. Does it taste like coffee?
   No—the coffee simply enhances the chocolate without overpowering.
9. How do I prevent dry cake?
   Don’t overbake, and measure flour using the spoon-and-level method.
10. Can I decorate this for a special occasion?
    Absolutely—it’s perfect with berries, sprinkles, or even edible flowers!

🏁 Conclusion

This Moist Buttermilk Chocolate Cake is the perfect blend of tender texture and bold flavor. It’s a chocolate lover’s dream—with richness from cocoa, tang from buttermilk, and that irresistible homemade touch. Whether you’re frosting it tall or keeping it simple, it’s a cake that satisfies every time. 🍫✨

Adam

Moist Buttermilk Chocolate Cake – Rich, Velvety & Irresistible

There’s nothing quite like a moist, rich slice of chocolate cake—and this Moist Buttermilk Chocolate Cake hits every note perfectly. The secret? Buttermilk. It brings a gentle tang and creates an incredibly tender crumb that makes this cake almost fudge-like in texture. 🍫💛 Whether you’re baking for a birthday, holiday, or just a Tuesday, this recipe is guaranteed to win hearts and satisfy cravings. Frost it with your favorite chocolate buttercream or ganache, and get ready for compliments!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

bake time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 14 servings

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• Makes one 9-inch two-layer cake or a 9×13 sheet cake

🧁 For the Cake

• 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• 1½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk at room temperature
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup hot water or hot coffee for enhanced chocolate depth

🍫 Optional Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

• 1 cup unsalted butter softened
• 3½ cups powdered sugar
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Method

 

Step 1: Prepare the Batter

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans or one 9×13-inch pan.
2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Mix until well combined.
4. Slowly add hot water or coffee, mixing until the batter is smooth and slightly thin.

Step 2: Bake

1. Pour batter evenly into prepared pans.
2. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs.
3. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Step 3: Make the Frosting

1. In a large bowl, beat butter until creamy.
2. Add cocoa powder, then slowly beat in powdered sugar.
3. Add cream, vanilla, and salt, beating until fluffy.
4. Frost cooled cake layers or the sheet cake as desired.

Notes

🥄 Variations
Bundt Cake: Bake in a Bundt pan and dust with powdered sugar

Cupcakes: Makes about 24 cupcakes; reduce bake time to 18–20 minutes

Fudge Topping: Replace buttercream with a rich chocolate ganache

Berry Surprise: Add a layer of raspberry jam between cake and frosting

Nutty Crunch: Sprinkle toasted hazelnuts or pecans on top

🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead
Room Temp: Store covered for up to 2 days

Fridge: Keeps well up to 5 days; bring to room temp before serving

Freezer: Freeze unfrosted layers up to 2 months—wrap tightly in plastic and foil

Make-Ahead Tip: Bake cake layers a day in advance and frost fresh

❓ 10 FAQs
Why buttermilk in chocolate cake?
It adds moisture, tang, and enhances the chocolate flavor.

Can I use milk instead?
Yes, but add 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar per cup of milk as a substitute.

Can I use Dutch cocoa?
Absolutely—both natural and Dutch-process cocoa work.

Why hot water or coffee?
It “blooms” the cocoa, deepening flavor and helping create a moist crumb.

Can I skip the frosting?
Yes, it’s delicious dusted with powdered sugar or served plain.

Can I use a stand mixer?
Yes, but a whisk and spatula work just as well.

Can this be made gluten-free?
Yes—use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.

Does it taste like coffee?
No—the coffee simply enhances the chocolate without overpowering.

How do I prevent dry cake?
Don’t overbake, and measure flour using the spoon-and-level method.

Can I decorate this for a special occasion?
Absolutely—it’s perfect with berries, sprinkles, or even edible flowers!

🏁 Conclusion
This Moist Buttermilk Chocolate Cake is the perfect blend of tender texture and bold flavor. It’s a chocolate lover’s dream—with richness from cocoa, tang from buttermilk, and that irresistible homemade touch. Whether you’re frosting it tall or keeping it simple, it’s a cake that satisfies every time. 🍫✨