Valentine’s Day Chocolate Cake
A classic Valentine’s Day Chocolate Cake featuring a rich, decadent chocolate flavor combined with a moist, tender crumb. Perfectly balanced and customizable, this cake makes an impressive and delicious centerpiece for any romantic celebration.
- Author: Nora
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 50-55 minutes
- Yield: 8-12 servings 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (with flour substitution)
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup high-quality cocoa powder
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free)
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup butter or oil (room temperature)
- 3 large eggs (room temperature)
- 1 cup buttermilk or milk
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Prepare Ingredients and Preheat Oven: Gather all your ingredients and allow the butter and eggs to come to room temperature. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 8-inch round cake pans with butter or nonstick spray.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together cocoa powder, flour, baking soda, and salt. Sifting ensures there are no lumps and guarantees an even texture in the final cake.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a mixer, beat softened butter and sugar until the mixture is fluffy and light in color. This incorporates air, making the cake soft and tender.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then stir in vanilla extract. This builds a rich, cohesive batter.
- Alternate Adding Dry Ingredients and Buttermilk: Begin by adding one-third of the dry mixture into the creamed mixture, followed by half the buttermilk. Repeat until all ingredients are incorporated, mixing gently to avoid overworking the batter.
- Bake the Cake: Divide the batter evenly between the pans and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool completely before frosting.
- Frost and Decorate: Frost your cake with a creamy chocolate ganache, buttercream, or cream cheese frosting. Decorate with fresh berries, edible flowers, or chocolate shavings for a show-stopping finish.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients to create a smooth, well-blended batter.
- Don’t overmix; mix just until ingredients are combined to keep your cake tender.
- Double sift cocoa powder to prevent lumps and ensure smooth chocolate flavor.
- Measure flour correctly by spooning and leveling to avoid a dense cake.
- Cool cake completely before frosting to prevent melting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Keywords: Valentine's Day Cake, Chocolate Cake, Romantic Dessert, Moist Chocolate Cake, Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake