Hey Lykkers, craving a rich, deeply chocolatey cake that melts in your mouth? This classic chocolate cake recipe brings together a moist, fudgy texture with a simple, thin chocolate icing and a scattering of fresh raspberries or strawberries on top.

Perfect for any occasion, this cake is simple yet luxurious, with the chocolate taking center stage and the berries adding a hint of freshness.

The earliest chocolate cakes were made in the 1800s after cocoa powder became more accessible, but it wasn’t until the 20th century that chocolate cake became a staple dessert worldwide.

Today, it’s enjoyed in many forms, from sponge to molten to flourless. Adding fresh berries gives this cake a modern twist, with the juicy sweetness of the fruit complementing the rich chocolate perfectly.

Recipe

Let’s get baking! This chocolate cake is simple to prepare and immensely gratifying to consume.

Ingredients

For the cake:

1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

1 ½ cups granulated sugar

¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 ½ tsp baking powder

1 ½ tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

2 large eggs

1 cup buttermilk

½ cup vegetable oil

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup boiling water

For the thin chocolate icing:

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

2-3 tbsp milk (adjust for desired consistency)

½ tsp vanilla extract

For the topping:

Fresh raspberries or strawberries (about 1 cup)

Optional: powdered sugar for dusting

Steps

Prepare the batter:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans to prepare them for baking. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, whisking them together thoroughly. In a separate bowl, blend the eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth. Slowly incorporate the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, ensuring a thorough mix. Lastly, stir in the boiling water (the batter will be thin).

Bake the cake:

Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Make the thin chocolate icing:

In a mixing bowl, blend together the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix until the mixture is smooth and has a pourable consistency, adding additional milk as necessary to achieve the preferred texture.

Assemble and serve:

Position the first layer of the cake on a serving platter and drizzle a light coating of icing over it. Carefully add the second layer on top, then pour the remaining icing, allowing it to cascade gently over the sides. Garnish the cake with fresh raspberries or sliced strawberries to enhance its visual appeal and taste. If preferred, finish with a sprinkle of powdered sugar. Slice and enjoy!

Simply Divine!

This classic chocolate cake is the perfect dessert for chocolate lovers, with a hint of fruity freshness from the berries on top. It’s indulgent, satisfying, and perfect for any celebration or cozy night in.