Buttermilk Chocolate Cake (Best Chocolate Cake Recipe) (2024)

Published on February 22, 2023 Updated on March 10, 2023. Published by Megan

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This buttermilk chocolate cake is a rich, fudgy, decadent and super moist homemade cake topped with a glossy chocolate frosting. Make this old-fashioned chocolate cake in one bowl with a whisk. This is the best chocolate cake for birthdays, holidays, family gatherings or as a simple, but indulgent dessert.

Buttermilk Chocolate Cake (Best Chocolate Cake Recipe) (1)
Jump to:
  • Why Should You Make This Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • How To Make
  • How To Store, Freeze and Serve
  • M’s Expert Tips
  • FAQs
  • More Cake Recipes to Try
  • Buttermilk Chocolate Cake

Why Should You Make This Recipe

I absolutely adore chocolate cake. My Matilda Chocolate Cake , Brownie Cake, Almond Flour Chocolate Cake and Chocolate Tahini Buttercream Cake are just a few homemade chocolate cake recipes I love from the blog. I am so excited to add this chocolate buttermilk cake to my growing collection of the best chocolate cake recipes. I know you’ll love it because:

  • It has the perfect rich, moist and tender texture. This buttermilk chocolate cake is incredibly moist and almost fudgy, while still retaining some fluffiness. The buttermilk chocolate frosting is smooth, rich, glossy and the perfect topping for this from scratch cake.
  • Easy to make with simple ingredients. This buttermilk cake is made with pantry basics such a flour, cocoa powder, sugar, eggs, oil, butter and of course, buttermilk. What I love most about this homemade cake is that it’s made in one bowl.

Ingredients

This moist chocolate cake requires only a handful of ingredients to make and is as simple as mixing the ingredients in a bowl, pouring the batter into a cake pan and baking it.

Buttermilk Chocolate Cake

Buttermilk Chocolate Cake (Best Chocolate Cake Recipe) (2)

Dry Ingredients: All purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

Wet Ingredients: Oil, melted butter, sugar, eggs, buttermilk and hot water or coffee.

Buttermilk Chocolate Frosting

Buttermilk Chocolate Cake (Best Chocolate Cake Recipe) (3)

Gather butter, cocoa powder, buttermilk, vanilla extract and powdered sugar.

Substitutions

This chocolate buttermilk cake is meant to be quick, easy and so delicious. Here are my recommended substitutions for this recipe if you need them:

  • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: This is the recommended cocoa powder for this buttermilk cake recipe.
  • Oil: I like to bake with canola oil. However, any neutral baking oil will work well in this chocolate cake recipe.
  • Melted Butter: Use salted butter if needed. Just make sure to omit the added salt. Vegan, dairy free butter or more oil can also be used if needed.
  • Sugar: This recipe hasn’t been tested using other types of sugar.
  • Eggs: This recipe hasn’t been tested without eggs.
  • Buttermilk: This is an essential ingredient for chocolate buttermilk cake. If you don’t have buttermilk, combine 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar with enough milk to reach 1 cup. Mix well and let sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes to curdle.
  • Warm water: Use an equal amount of warm coffee.
Buttermilk Chocolate Cake (Best Chocolate Cake Recipe) (4)

Variations

Buttermilk Chocolate Layer Cake: To make this chocolate cake into a 2 layer cake, simply prepare the recipe as written and bake in, (2) 8-inch pans or (2) 9-inch pans. The 8-inch or 9-inch layer cakes will need about 25-35 minutes. Chill each cake layer before frosting, right after assembling and applying the crumb coat. Layer this cake with my favorite chocolate frosting or use a store bought variety. I do not recommend layering this cake with the chocolate buttermilk frosting as it’s more of a glaze or ganache like consistency.

8-inch or 9-inch Chocolate Cake: Make this buttermilk chocolate cake recipe as a smaller single layer cake by halving the recipe. Bake the cake in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.

How To Make

This deliciously decadent chocolate cake is ready to bake in as little as 10 minutes. Here’s how to make moist buttermilk chocolate cake in a few easy steps.

Buttermilk Chocolate Cake (Best Chocolate Cake Recipe) (5)
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 F (177 C). Lightly grease and line the bottom and long sides of a 9 x 13 inch cake pan with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the all purpose flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt until well combined.
  2. Whisk in the oil, melted butter, eggs, and buttermilk until well combined. Carefully whisk in the warm water until well combined.
Buttermilk Chocolate Cake (Best Chocolate Cake Recipe) (6)
  1. Pour the chocolate buttermilk cake into the prepared cake pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
  2. Cool the buttermilk cake in the cake pan for 15-20 minutes. Using the parchment paper, gently lift the cake out of the pan to continue cooling on a cooling rack. While the cake cools, make the chocolate buttermilk frosting.
  3. Melt the butter in a sauce pan over low heat. Once the butter has melted, whisk in the cocoa powder and cook over low heat for about 1 minute. This helps to bloom the cocoa powder for even more chocolate flavor. Remove the pan from the heat. Whisk in the buttermilk, powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
  4. Transfer the cooled chocolate buttermilk cake back into the cake pan or onto a serving dish. Pour the buttermilk chocolate frosting onto the cooled cake. Allow the frosting to set, slice the moist chocolate cake and enjoy!

How To Store, Freeze and Serve

  • Store this chocolate cake with buttermilk in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days or in the fridge for about one week.
  • Freeze the buttermilk cake: Make, bake and cool the cake to room temperature. Store the unfrosted chocolate cake wrapped tightly, in an airtight and freezer proof container for up to 2 months. Thaw the moist chocolate cake at room temperature for a few hours or in the fridge overnight.
  • Serve the best chocolate cake with a glass of cold milk ir with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Buttermilk Chocolate Cake (Best Chocolate Cake Recipe) (7)

M’s Expert Tips

  • Use full fat buttermilk. This adds richness, moisture and a bit of a tangy background flavor that works so well in this homemade chocolate cake. If needed, substitute with a DIY version of buttermilk (see substitution section)
  • Bring cold ingredients to room temperature. This allows the ingredients to mix together more evenly, resulting in a softer cake.
  • Don’t over bake the cake. Start checking the doneness of the cake on the early side of the baking range. Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. A few moist crumbs should come out on the toothpick. The sides of the cake should also slightly pull away from the sides of the pan.
  • Sift the powdered sugar. I highly recommend sifting the powdered sugar and cocoa powder in order to avoid any lumps in the buttermilk frosting. The cocoa powder will be whisked into the warm butter, so sifting isn’t as necessary. However, the powdered sugar will clump up a bit in the frosting. Sifting the sugar ensures a smooth, lump free chocolate frosting.

FAQs

What does buttermilk do for a cake?

Buttermilk does many different things in baked goods such as cake. It acts as a tenderizer, making baked goods super moist. Buttermilk also helps cakes to rise and balances out the sweetness with an underlying tangy hint. This gives baked goods a rich and almost buttery taste.

Does a cake made with buttermilk need to be refrigerated?

Cakes made with buttermilk can be kept at room temperature for several days. However, if the cake is covered in a frosting with cream cheese, whipped cream or eggs, it will need to be stored in the fridge.

More Cake Recipes to Try

  • Strawberry Crunch Cake
  • Red Velvet Bundt Cake
  • Pecan Upside Down Cake

If you try this Buttermilk Chocolate Cake recipe please rate the recipe and leave a comment below. Doing so helps other readers decide if this is a great recipe to bake. Don’t forget to tag me on Instagram using @olivesnthyme so I can see what you’re baking!

Buttermilk Chocolate Cake (Best Chocolate Cake Recipe) (8)

Buttermilk Chocolate Cake

Buttermilk Chocolate Cake (Best Chocolate Cake Recipe) (9)Megan

This buttermilk chocolate cake is a rich, fudgy, decadent and super moist homemade cake topped with a glossy chocolate frosting. Make this old-fashioned chocolate cake in one bowl with a whisk. This is the best chocolate cake for birthdays, holidays, family gatherings or as a simple, but indulgent dessert.

print itpin it

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Cooling Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 40 minutes mins

Course Celebrations, Dessert, Holiday

Cuisine American

Servings 16

Equipment

  • 1 9X13 baking pan

  • 1 parchment paper

  • 1 large mixing bowl

Ingredients

Buttermilk Chocolate Cake

  • 2 cups (240 g) all purpose flour
  • 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (40 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 2 large eggs (US), room temperature
  • ½ cup (118 ml) melted butter
  • ½ cup (118 ml) canola oil
  • 1 cup (237 ml) buttermilk, room temperature
  • 1 cup (237 ml) hot water (very warm, but not boiling)

Buttermilk Chocolate Frosting

  • ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter
  • ½ cup (40 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • cup (79 ml) buttermilk, room temperature
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2½ - 3 cups (300 - 360 g) powdered sugar, sifted

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 F (177 C). Lightly grease and line the bottom and long sides of a 9 x 13 inch cake pan with parchment paper.

  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk the all purpose flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt until well combined.

  • Whisk in the oil, melted butter, eggs, and buttermilk until well combined. Carefully whisk in the warm water until well combined. Pour the chocolate buttermilk cake into the prepared cake pan.

  • Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.

  • Cool the buttermilk cake in the cake pan for 15-20 minutes. Using the parchment paper, gently lift the cake out of the pan to continue cooling on a cooling rack. While the cake cools, make the chocolate buttermilk frosting.

  • Melt the butter in a sauce pan over low heat. Once the butter has melted, whisk in the cocoa powder and cook over low heat for about 1 minute. This helps to bloom the cocoa powder for even more chocolate flavor. Remove the pan from the heat.

  • Whisk in the buttermilk, powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.

  • Transfer the cooled chocolate buttermilk cake back into the cake pan or onto a serving dish. Pour and spread the buttermilk chocolate frosting onto the cooled cake. Allow the frosting to set, slice the moist chocolate cake and enjoy!

Notes

Store this chocolate cake with buttermilk in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days or in the fridge for about one week.

Keyword Buttermilk Cake, Buttermilk Cake Recipe, Buttermilk Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Buttermilk Cake, Chocolate Cake Recipe

did you make this recipe?tag @olivesnthyme on Instagram

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Becka says

    Hi! How much buttermilk is in the frosting? There is only a ? next to the amount.

    Reply

  2. Melissa says

    In the ingredients list for the frosting, the amount of buttermilk has a question mark (?). Can you please clarify?

    Reply

    • Megan says

      Hi Melissa, apologies for any confusion. There seems to be a glitch in the recipe card. It should read 1/3 cup (79 mL) buttermilk.

      Reply

  3. Cheryl says

    There wasn’t an amount of milk listed for the frosting. Is this an oversight or add milk according to consistency?

    Reply

    • Megan says

      Hi, there seems to be a glitch in the recipe card. It should read 1/3 cup (79 ml) buttermilk.

      Reply

  4. Lisa says

    Hello! This looks delicious! Can the “buttermilk” substitute be used (milk with vinegar or lemon juice)?

    Reply

    • Megan says

      Hi Lisa,

      Yes, you can use a buttermilk substitute with white vinegar or lemon juice. Enjoy!

      Reply

  5. Cecilia Feld says

    Buttermilk Chocolate Cake (Best Chocolate Cake Recipe) (14)
    I thought I had the most delicious chocolate cake recipe before, but this recipe TOPS them all. This is absolutely delicious. Moist, soft and so much flavor.This is a definate five star. I made cream cheese frosting though, since my family isn't crazy for chocolate icing, BUT I will make this icing for just certain other people for are chocoholics like us.
    Thank you for this wonderful recipe.

    Reply

    • Megan says

      Hi Cecilia, thank you so much for the kind words and wonderful review. This chocolate cake is something special and I am so happy to read how much everyone enjoyed the cake. Cream cheese frosting is an excellent choice!

      Reply

  6. Christine Prines says

    Buttermilk Chocolate Cake (Best Chocolate Cake Recipe) (15)
    This is easily the best chocolate cake recipe I have ever made. Moist, perfectly balanced, and just all around GOOD. I will be making this again soon. I have been searching for the ‘perfect’ chocolate cake recipe, and I think I just found it! Truly a keeper.

    Reply

    • Megan says

      HI Christine, thank you so much for the kind words. I am so happy to read how much you love this chocolate cake recipe. I hope you enjoy this recipe for many years to come!

      Reply

  7. Martha says

    I made this it is so Delicious my sister said she wants 1 for her birthday the cake was very easy and oh so Moist.

    Reply

    • Megan says

      Hi Martha, I am so happy you loved this buttermilk cake! I hope your sister enjoyed it for her birthday as well.

      Reply

  8. Maria says

    Can I substitute canola oil for vegetable oil?

    Reply

    • Megan says

      Hi Maria, you can use canola oil for this recipe. Enjoy!

      Reply

  9. Caroline says

    Buttermilk Chocolate Cake (Best Chocolate Cake Recipe) (16)
    Really delicious cake for chocolate lovers like myself. It’s extremely chocolatey. Definitely needs some vanilla ice cream on top to cut it 🙂 I was worried the batter looked too runny (actually worried that I’d left out some flour) but it was perfectly baked at the low end of the bake time.

    Reply

    • Megan says

      HI Caronline, I am so happy to read how much you enjoyed the cake. Vanilla ice cream is the perfect way to serve such a chocolate filled cake. Thank you for making this recipe!

      Reply

  10. Sofia Silva says

    Hello ?
    Can I use a regular cake pan for this?
    Thanks

    Reply

    • Megan says

      Hi Sofia, this cake is baked in a 9x13 cake pan. This volume of cake batter can also be made in (2) 8x8 (20 cm) round cake pans. Start checking for doneness around 30 minutes.

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Buttermilk Chocolate Cake (Best Chocolate Cake Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

How to enhance chocolate flavor in cake? ›

Adding a teaspoon of espresso powder goes a long way towards enhancing chocolate flavors in your cooking. Since espresso powder is typically fine-ground, it dissolves in batters and doughs easily.

What is the benefit of buttermilk in cake? ›

In cooking, it's often used in marinades, dressings, and sauces. In baking, buttermilk adds moisture, tenderness, and a subtle tanginess to cakes, pancakes, muffins, and more. Its acidity also reacts with baking soda, creating a leavening effect that results in light, fluffy baked goods.

Is it better to put sour cream or milk in a cake? ›

Sour cream is one of the fattiest dairy products; the extra fat content (for example, adding sour cream to a cake instead of milk) will make the cake moister and richer, says Wilk. "Fat, in any form (butter, lard, cream, etc.) shortens gluten strands, which essentially leads to the most tender baked goods," she adds.

What is the best combination for chocolate cake? ›

Hazelnuts or peanuts are a classic combination with milk chocolate, and a slick of hazelnut chocolate spread is all you need to take a family chocolate birthday cake to the next level. If you like a hint of bitterness, try a walnut and coffee buttercream with a white chocolate cake.

What brings out the flavor of chocolate? ›

If you're making something chocolaty – crinkle cookies, chocolate mousse, brownies, fudge – and really want to turn up the chocolate flavor, there's a simple trick you can use with just about any recipe. Do you know the secret ingredient? It's espresso!

What brings out the flavour of chocolate? ›

Citrus Zest: The zesty notes of lemon, orange, or lime can lend a refreshing and tangy twist to chocolate, brightening its flavour profile. Vanilla: The warm and comforting essence of vanilla enhances the sweetness of chocolate, adding a creamy and aromatic touch.

Can you add buttermilk to a box cake mix? ›

Most box mixes ask you to add eggs, oil and water. To make the boxed cake taste homemade, replace the water with rich and tasty buttermilk. Use the amount you would for water for the creamiest results. You won't regret it!

Why do bakers love buttermilk? ›

Buttermilk is made up of a variety of acids – the results of the fermentation process, which give baked goods a couple of benefits. First, the acidity provides tangy flavor to balance all kinds of sweet baked treats. Second, it activates baking soda, producing the gas that makes dough or batter rise.

Does buttermilk change the taste of cake? ›

The first and most obvious effect of baking with buttermilk is the taste of the final baked good. Buttermilk, like yogurt, results from the careful fermentation of milk with lactic-acid-producing bacteria. This gives buttermilk its tangy flavor, which adds complexity and depth to the finished baked good.

How do you make a cake taste richer? ›

Adding extra eggs when baking a cake brings out a lighter and richer flavor, making your dessert even more delicious! Baking tip #6: Adding a touch of vanilla extract, ¼ teaspoon to be exact, is all it takes to make your box cake taste better, even homemade.

Does butter or oil make a cake more moist? ›

Why does oil give cake superior texture? Butter is 18% water, so when the batter is baked, some of its liquid evaporates. Replacing the water from the butter with oil means there's more fat left in the cakes to ensure tenderness.

What makes cake taste better? ›

6 Easy Ways To Upgrade Your Boxed Cake Mix
  1. Add an Extra Egg.
  2. Add Milk, Coffee, or Soda.
  3. Use Butter Instead of Oil.
  4. Add Instant Pudding.
  5. Up the Flavor with an Extract or Citrus Zest.
  6. Top the Cake with Homemade Frosting.
Oct 19, 2023

Which chocolate cake is more tasty? ›

A fudge cake embodies all that an ideal chocolate cake should have. It is dense, smooth and incredibly moist and has a divine chocolate ganache in between, making the cake taste even better.

Which flavor is best in chocolate cake? ›

No one disputes that one of the very best chocolate cake flavour combinations is fruity. If the cake that you're making uses white or milk chocolate and is very sweet, then something more acidic like passion fruit will work brilliantly to balance out the fat and sugar.

Why does my chocolate cake not taste like chocolate? ›

When hot water mixes with cocoa powder, it draws out the chocolaty flavor from the cocoa, resulting in a cake with a more robust and pure chocolate flavor. If you want to create a cake with a deep, strong chocolate taste, swap out cold water and use hot water instead.

How do you make chocolate taste richer? ›

Everybody knows that instant coffee or espresso powder can help embolden the flavor of chocolate. A teaspoon added to chocolate cake batter elevates its richness and makes the flavors sing.

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