Dark Cocoa Buttermilk Cake with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

Nutriscore Rating: 50/100

Indulge in the rich, decadent flavors of this Dark Cocoa Buttermilk Cake with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting—a chocolate lover's dream dessert! This moist, tender cake is made with unsweetened dark cocoa powder and tangy buttermilk, creating a deep, complex flavor profile that truly stands out. The addition of boiling water ensures an ultra-light texture, while the luscious chocolate cream cheese frosting, whipped to velvety perfection, adds a creamy, tangy-sweet finish. Ideal for celebrations or an elegant treat, this easy-to-make cake comes together in 50 minutes and serves 12. Whether you're an experienced baker or a chocolate enthusiast, this recipe will elevate your dessert game and satisfy every craving. Perfect for keywords like "dark chocolate cake," "buttermilk cake recipe," and "cream cheese frosting dessert."

Recipe Information

• Prep Time: 20 min
• Cook Time: 30 min
• Total Time: 50 min
• Servings: 12 servings
• Difficulty: Medium

🥘 Ingredients

17 items

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.75 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 0.5 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 0.25 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons milk (optional for adjusting frosting consistency)

📝 Instructions

12 steps

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, or line them with parchment paper.

2. In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, dark cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

3. Add the eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients, and mix on medium speed until well combined.

4. Slowly stir in the boiling water. The batter will be thin, but this is normal.

5. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.

6. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cakes comes out clean.

7. Cool the cakes in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove them from the pans and cool completely on a wire rack.

8. To make the frosting, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together in a large bowl until smooth and creamy.

9. Add the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract, and beat on low speed until the sugar is incorporated. Then increase to high speed and beat until fluffy.

10. If the frosting is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of milk to achieve your desired consistency.

11. Once the cakes are completely cooled, spread a generous layer of frosting on top of one cake layer. Place the second cake layer on top and frost the top and sides of the cake.

12. Slice, serve, and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

1 serving (194.8g)

Calories		617
% Daily Value*
Total Fat		27.7 g	35%
	Saturated Fat	12.5 g	62%
	Polyunsaturated Fat	5.6 g
Cholesterol		76 mg	25%
Sodium		513 mg	22%
Total Carbohydrate		93.5 g	34%
	Dietary Fiber	8.4 g	30%
	Total Sugars	65.4 g
Protein		9.2 g	18%
Vitamin D		0.6 mcg	3%
Calcium		78 mg	6%
Iron		2.5 mg	14%
Potassium		323 mg	7%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 2989 cal (37.7%%)

Protein: 441 cal (5.6%%)

Carbs: 4492 cal (56.7%%)