Baking a chocolate cake with white icing always feels like a little moment of joy and nostalgia. As I mix the rich, velvety batter, I can’t help but feel excited knowing the decadent chocolate flavor will come to life in every bite.
The smell of the cake as it bakes fills the house with warmth and anticipation. When it comes out of the oven, I can already imagine how beautifully the soft, creamy white icing will contrast with the deep, dark cake.
Spreading the icing on top is my favorite part—smooth and satisfying. The end result never disappoints: a moist, indulgent cake with a fluffy, sweet finish that makes every slice feel like a celebration.
Why This Recipe Is A Must-Try?
✔ Rich & Moist Flavor: The combination of cocoa powder and buttermilk gives the cake a deep, rich chocolate flavor, while the boiling water helps keep it moist and tender.
✔ Perfectly Sweet & Creamy Icing: The smooth, fluffy white icing adds the perfect balance of sweetness and creaminess, making each bite of cake melt in your mouth.
✔ Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples like flour, sugar, and cocoa powder, this cake is easy to whip up anytime you want a delicious dessert.
✔ Easy to Make: With simple steps and a quick bake time, even beginners can make this cake and impress their family and friends.
✔ Customizable: You can easily adjust the consistency of the icing to your liking, and it’s perfect for decorating with sprinkles, fruit, or other toppings.
Information Of Chocolate Cake With White Icing
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Course: Dessert
Calories: 330
Cuisine: American
Yield: 8servings
Kitchen Utensils You’ll Need
- 2 9-inch round cake pans
- Mixing bowls (preferably one large and one medium)
- Hand or stand mixer (optional, but helpful)
- Whisk
- Spatula
- Cooling rack
- Piping bag (optional, for decorating the icing)
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups sugar
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs + 1 egg yolk
- ⅓ cup buttermilk (or regular milk)
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup boiling water
For the White Icing:
- ¾ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ – 2 tablespoons heavy cream (adjust for desired consistency)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
1. Prepare the cake:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans.
2. In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Add eggs, egg yolk, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
4. Gradually add boiling water and stir (batter will be thin).
5. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
6. Let the cakes cool completely.
2. Make the icing:
1. Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt.
2. Add heavy cream, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach a smooth and spreadable consistency.
3. Assemble the cake:
1. Once the cakes are completely cooled, place the first layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous amount of white icing over the top.
2. Top with the second cake layer and frost the entire cake with the remaining icing. Serve and enjoy!
Special Notes
❖ Substitute for Buttermilk: If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can make a quick substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to ½ cup of regular milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
❖ Make-Ahead Tip: This cake is great for making ahead. You can bake the layers a day or two in advance, and store them in an airtight container. Just make sure to frost the cake closer to when you plan to serve it.
❖ Storage: The frosted cake can be stored at room temperature for up to 2-3 days or refrigerated for up to a week. If storing in the fridge, bring the cake to room temperature before serving for the best taste and texture.
Delicious Variations
1. Chocolate Ganache Frosting:
Swap the white icing for a rich, glossy chocolate ganache. Simply heat heavy cream and pour it over chopped dark chocolate, then let it set to the desired consistency. Pour it over the cake for a decadent, shiny finish.
2. Mocha Flavor:
Add a teaspoon of instant coffee or espresso powder to the cake batter to enhance the chocolate flavor with a subtle coffee kick. The white icing will beautifully balance the richness.
3. Peanut Butter Filling:
Add a creamy peanut butter layer between the cake and icing. Peanut butter pairs wonderfully with chocolate and adds a savory-sweet element.
4. Strawberry or Raspberry Swirl:
Add fresh fruit or fruit preserves to the white icing for a fruity swirl effect. It adds a burst of flavor and a pop of color to the cake.
5. Coconut Shredded Topping:
After icing the cake with white frosting, sprinkle sweetened shredded coconut on top for texture and flavor. The coconut gives a tropical twist and looks beautiful against the white icing.
Quick Kitchen Tips
1. Moisture Boost: Add a tablespoon of sour cream or yogurt to your chocolate cake batter for extra moisture and tenderness.
2. Even Baking: Use room temperature ingredients (eggs, butter, milk) to ensure a smooth batter and even baking. Cold ingredients can lead to uneven rising.
3. Perfect Icing: For a smooth, fluffy white icing, use powdered sugar (confectioner’s sugar) and beat the butter and sugar for at least 5 minutes to get a light, airy texture.
4. Cake Cooling: Let the cake cool completely before icing to avoid melting the frosting or having it slide off.
5. Icing Tip: To get a clean, professional look, use a hot spatula (dipped in warm water and dried) to smooth out the icing on the cake for a flawless finish.
Conclusion
As I take the first bite, I’m reminded of the simple joys that baking brings. The combination of rich chocolate and sweet white icing never fails to make me smile.
It’s not just about the taste; it’s the process, the moments of patience, and the satisfaction of creating something from scratch.
Sharing this cake with family or friends only makes it sweeter, and each slice feels like a small victory.
Baking this chocolate cake with white icing is more than just making dessert—it’s about creating memories, indulging in comfort, and enjoying the little moments of life, one delicious bite at a time.
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Chocolate Cake With White Icing
Equipment
- 2 9-inch round cake pans
- Mixing bowls (preferably one large and one medium)
- Hand or stand mixer (optional, but helpful)
- Whisk
- Spatula
- Cooling rack
- Piping bag (optional, for decorating the icing)
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups sugar
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs + 1 egg yolk
- ⅓ cup buttermilk or regular milk
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup boiling water
For the White Icing:
- ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 ½ – 2 tablespoons heavy cream adjust for desired consistency
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Prepare the cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans.
- In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add eggs, egg yolk, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
- Gradually add boiling water and stir (batter will be thin).
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let the cakes cool completely.
Make the icing:
- Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt.
- Add heavy cream, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach a smooth and spreadable consistency.
Assemble the cake:
- Once the cakes are completely cooled, place the first layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous amount of white icing over the top.
- Top with the second cake layer and frost the entire cake with the remaining icing. Serve and enjoy!