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Mee Maw’s Chocolate Cake

Birthday celebrations, Sunday dinners, and peaceful times when you just need something sweet to cheer you up have all included this cake. It's moist, rich, and bursting with that classic, homemade goodness that only grandmothers can create.
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Course: Baking, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

For the Cake:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of salt
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup hot black coffee
  • 2 large eggs
For the Frosting:
  • 1/3 cup butter softened
  • 3 oz unsweetened or semi-sweet chocolate melted
  • 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Method
 

Prepare the Cake Batter:
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans (or one 9x13-inch pan).
  2. In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Add in the milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until just combined.
  4. Stir in the hot black coffee — the batter will be thin, but that’s what makes the cake moist.
  5. Add the eggs and beat the batter until smooth, about 1–2 minutes with a hand mixer or whisk.
Bake the Cake:
  1. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans.
  2. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  3. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove from the pans and transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Make the Frosting:
  1. In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter and melted chocolate until smooth and creamy.
  2. Add the confectioners’ sugar, sour cream, and vanilla extract.
  3. Beat until the frosting is thick, fluffy, and spreadable. If needed, adjust with a bit more sugar or sour cream for desired consistency.
Frost the Cake:
  1. Once the cakes are fully cooled, frost the top of one layer, stack the second layer, and cover the top and sides with the remaining frosting.
  2. Serve and enjoy!