This buttermilk chocolate cake is so moist, tender, and fluffy. It’s the perfect rich chocolate cake topped with dark chocolate buttermilk frosting.
Easy Chocolate Buttermilk Cake
I’ve never met a chocolate cake recipe I don’t like. But this Buttermilk Chocolate Cake might just be pushing to the front of my favorites list. I have several chocolate cake recipes on my site and they all offer something a bit different. I would say this cake reminds me more of an old-fashioned chocolate cake, but something you’d also see in a bakery case. Classic flavors, spectacular texture, and plenty of chocolate!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s made with buttermilk. The base recipe starts with my easy chocolate cake. I’ve tweaked the leavening agents and swapped out the coffee for buttermilk. I find that whenever I make a buttermilk cake, it really ups the ante of flavor and texture!
- Smothered in chocolate. This cake in particular is light and fluffy, moist and tender, rich and chocolatey, and topped with the perfect chocolate buttermilk frosting. Now if you’d prefer another alternative, you this cake would also pair well with my chocolate cream cheese frosting.
- It’s easy to make. I make this recipe as a sheet cake, so there are no layers to stack and frost. It’s also the perfect size for sharing!
What Does Buttermilk Do To a Cake?
The acidity in buttermilk creates a super tender texture and reacts with the leavening agents for a fluffier cake. Now, if you don’t have buttermilk on hand, keep reading, I have a quick and easy solution below.
Ingredient Notes
This chocolate cake uses buttermilk, plus a few key ingredients for its incredible flavor and texture. I’ve included some notes on these below. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for a full list along with the recipe details.
- Sour Cream – I usually use light sour cream, but regular will work as well. If you don’t have sour cream, you can substitute it with plain or Greek yogurt.
- Cocoa Powder – I prefer to use Dutch-processed cocoa powder since it’s a little less sweet than regular cocoa powder. If you have never heard of Dutch-processed cocoa, I have a full explanation of what it is and when to use different types of cocoa powder.
- Espresso Powder – Finely ground coffee will work as well. This is optional but does enhance the flavor of the chocolate. It doesn’t make the cake taste like coffee. Finely ground coffee also works.
- Baking Powder and Baking Soda – Both leavening agents work to keep the texture of this cake so light and fluffy. The baking powder is particularly important to use with Dutch-processed cocoa powder.
- Buttermilk – Buttermilk is key for a light and tender cake.
What If I Don’t Have Buttermilk?
This recipe was specifically designed to use buttermilk because the acidity creates the perfect moist and tender texture, but also flavor! It just isn’t quite the same with regular milk. Plus the leavening agents and cocoa powder also factor into a recipe made with buttermilk.
If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a homemade buttermilk substitute using milk and lemon juice or white vinegar. So if you only have milk on hand, make this quick substitute.
How to Make Buttermilk Chocolate Cake
This buttermilk chocolate cake is quick and easy to make in just a few steps. I go over these here, and be sure to scroll to the recipe card for printable instructions.
- Mix the wet ingredients. In a large bowl, combine sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Beat until combined, then mix in the sour cream.
- Add the dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, sift together the dry ingredients. Add half of the dry ingredients and half of the buttermilk to the batter. Mix until just incorporated, then add the remaining dry ingredients and buttermilk.
- Bake and cool. Transfer the batter to a 9×13″ baking pan, then cook at 350ºF for 26-28 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove and cool completely.
- Make the frosting. Cut butter into pieces, add it to a bowl, then use the paddle attachment of your mixer to whip until lighter in color and fluffy. Add in the cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and a couple of tablespoons of buttermilk, then beat until smooth. Add the rest of the buttermilk and vanilla, then beat until your desired consistency is reached.
- Frost and serve. Spread the frosting over the cooled cake, top it with sprinkles, then slice and serve.
Recipe Tips and Variations
- Don’t overmix the cake batter. The first rule for ultra-soft, risen cakes is not to overmix the batter. Overmixing causes the air bubbles to burst, leading to a dense, tough cake instead of a light and fluffy one.
- Check the cake for doneness. I stick a toothpick into the center of the chocolate cake, and if it comes out clean, I know the cake is baked! If it comes out streaked with batter, I’ll pop the cake back into the oven for another few minutes before I check again.
- Add-ins. This buttermilk chocolate cake is delicious as is, but if you’re after more texture, fold 1-2 handfuls of chocolate chips or chopped nuts, like pecans, into the batter.
- Make cupcakes instead. This recipe makes enough chocolate cake batter for 24 cupcakes. Fill a lined cupcake tin and bake the cupcakes at 350ºF for 14-16 minutes. You’ll need to increase the frosting ingredients by 1.5 times.
Make-Ahead
Want to prep the cake in advance? Go right ahead! This cake is best served in the first 2-3 days, just make sure it’s stored in an airtight container at room temperature. I often bake my cakes 24 hours in advance and frost them on the day I serve them.
How to Store
- Storing a frosted cake. A frosted cake will last in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You should only need to refrigerate it if you live in a hot or humid climate. In that case, allow the cake to come to room temperature before serving.
- Freezing. You can store this chocolate cake unfrosted in the freezer for up to 2 months. Simply bake it as directed, let it cool completely, wrap it tightly, then store it. When you’re ready to serve, let the cake thaw at room temperature, add the frosting, then enjoy.
More Chocolate Cake Recipes You’ll Love
Buttermilk Chocolate Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 27 minutes
- Total Time: 42 minutes
- Yield: 15 slices
- Category: Cake
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Buttermilk Chocolate Cake is so moist, tender, and fluffy. It’s the perfect rich chocolate cake topped with dark chocolate buttermilk frosting.
Ingredients
For the cake:
- 1 ½ cups (285g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (118 ml) vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup (118 ml) sour cream, at room temperature
- 2 cups (280g) all-purpose flour, sifted
- ½ cup (55 g) Dutch processed cocoa powder , sifted
- 1 tablespoon (5g) espresso powder or finely ground coffee (optional)
- 2 teaspoons (7g) baking powder
- 1 teaspoon (4g) baking soda
- 1 teaspoon (5g) salt
- 1 ¼ cup (296 ml) buttermilk, at room temperature
For the frosting:
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter
- ½ cup (55 g) cocoa powder
- 2–3 cups (260–347 g) powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons (44 ml) buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons (10 ml) pure vanilla extract
- Chocolate sprinkles for garnish
Instructions
For the cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, vegetable oil, eggs and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed until the eggs and oil are well incorporated. Next mix in the sour cream and beat until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, sift together the dry ingredients. Then add half the dry ingredients followed by half of the buttermilk and mix just until the flour starts to incorporate. Then add the remaining dry ingredients, mixing on low speed while pouring in the remaining buttermilk and beating until all of the ingredients are well combined. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl and stir the batter from the bottom to the top to ensure it’s well mixed.
- Pour the batter into a 9×13-inch pan and bake at 350°F for 26-28 minutes. Test the cake for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake. If the toothpick comes out clean, your cake is done. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
For the frosting:
- Cut the butter into pieces about 1 tablespoon size. Using the paddle attachment, whip butter for 3-5 minutes, scraping down the bowl occasionally. Beat until butter looks light in color and has more volume.
- Next, add the cocoa powder and confectionary sugar, followed by two tablespoons of buttermilk and beat for 60-90 seconds until completely smooth.
- Add the remaining buttermilk and vanilla extract and beat until desired consistency, at least 2 minutes.
- Spread frosting over cooled cake and then cover with sprinkles. Keep in an airtight container.
Notes
Substitutions
- Sour cream: Lite sour cream, plain or Greek yogurt will work
- Buttermilk: If you have milk on hand, make this buttermilk substitute with lemon juice or vinegar.
To Make Cupcakes
- This recipe can be made into 24 cupcakes. Baked for 14-16 minutes. The frosting recipe will be to be 1.5 times what’s listed here.
Storing and Freezing
- Storing a frosted cake: This cake is best served in the first 2-3 days as long as it’s stored in an airtight container at room temperature. A frosted cake will last in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. You should only need to refrigerate it if you live in a hot or humid climate. In that cake, allow the cake to come to room temperature before serving.
- Freezing: You can store it unfrosted in the freezer for up to 2 months. Simply bake it as directed, let it cool completely, wrap it tightly, then store it. When you’re ready to serve, simply let it thaw at room temperature, add the frosting, then enjoy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 459
- Sugar: 45g
- Sodium: 353g
- Fat: 23g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 2.4g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Made this 2 times & 28 minutes is not long enough. Still not baked had to do 10 minutes extra
Please remember that baking times are suggested and that’s why I provide a range. This is dependent on TRUE oven temperature (which is why I use an oven thermometer) and also the type of pan you’re using for baking. Ensure you oven is FULLY preheated to correct temperature before you start baking.
I served this last night, 4 men and 3 women, only 4 pieces left today!
I love this! Thank you Jenny!
You mentioned you usually do this as a sheet cake. Do you use a sheet pan and how long do you cook it? Do you use the same amount of frosting?
The 9×13 in a quarter sheet cake. I have not made this as a half or full sheet cake
This recipe is easy to make The flavor and texture are perfect. My oven must be off temperature because I had to bake an extra ten minutes. The frosting is light, creamy and deliciously chocolatey. A big hit at our ladies’ night. 👏
Wow Judy, thank you so much!
Not very moist, had to cook longer than recipe called for.
Hi Jodi, did you perhaps over bake it causing it to be too dry?
Very good, well written recipe! Comes together quickly, easily. And tastes DELISH! My baking time was considerably longer – 42 minutes. I used a cream cheese buttercream frosting~ nummmy!
Thank you so much Mary! The cream cheese frosting sounds amazing!
Sounds delicious. I’d like to make it in a Bundt pan. Do you have an approximate cook time?
Maybe 35-40 minutes depending on the pan
I live at an altitude of over 6000 feet, do I need to adjust the recipe for my altitude?
Hi Roberta, sorry I am not familiar with high-altitude baking, so I am not sure what adjustment you would need to make. If you typically make adjustments for similar recipes, I would probably try that
I noticed you don’t say to grease the cake pan, do you grease the cake pan or not?
Hi Patty, I don’t grease the flour the pan because I am not removing the entire cake from the pan. I also use a nonstick pan.
Me encantó el pastel, quedó húmedo igual que en la foto, sólo tuve un pequeño problema con el frosting, que me quedó algo más claro y la consistencia algo más blanda. Todo un éxito. Gracias
Hola Diana, Gracias por tus comentarios, me alegra que hayas disfrutado este pastel.
I am planning on freezing this cake. Should I frost it before freezing or just before serving?
I recommend freezing just the cake and adding the frosting once it’s thawed.