How To Make The Hersheys Perfectly Chocolate Cakerecipe
Whenever I bake a layer cake, I break down the recipe to make its different components over multiple days. Why? It can be really time-consuming to make the cake all in one day! First, you need to bake the cakes and wait for them to cool completely. Then, you need to make the frosting, assemble the layers and frost a crumb coat, and wait for it all to set. After that, you need to finish decorating the whole thing! You can see how this recipe is turning into a full days worth of work.
To make sure Im not stuck in the kitchen all day, I broke down the work for the Hersheys Perfectly Chocolate Cake recipe over two days. Heres what I did:
My Version Of The Hersheys Perfectly Chocolate Cake Recipe Tweaks The Chocolate Frosting
This review of the Hersheys Perfectly Chocolate Cake recipe argues that its frosting is too sweet. I also found myself agreeing with this critique. I was surprised to find that the original recipe contained no salt at all!
In general, a little salt goes a long way in baked goods. The salt balances out the sugar, and can make other flavors in the recipe more flavorful. I ended up adding a whopping ½ teaspoon of kosher salt to the frosting. That may seem like a lot, but it really helped tone down the sweetness without any coffee .
I also found that the recipe didnt make enough for a 3 layer, 8-inch cake. But that made sense. Because although Hersheys gives you the option to make the recipe in different cake pans, the original recipe is for a 2 layer, 9-inch cake. As a result, Ive tweaked the frosting quantities below to be more suitable for a 3 layer cake. However, definitely check out the FAQ below if you want to make this recipe in other cake pans.
Hershey’s Chocolate Cake Frosting
So what about the frosting? Well, the frosting featured in this recipe is slightly different from the official Hersheyland’s “Perfectly Chocolate Chocolate Frosting” it calls for a bit more butter, sugar, cocoa powder, and milk.
You’ll need the same ingredients for both frostings, though: Butter, unsweetened cocoa powder, confectioners’ sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. You can adjust the amounts to suit your taste, of course.
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My Version Of The Hersheys Perfectly Chocolate Cake Recipe Gives You The Option To Go The Extra Mile
I found it interesting that, in The Kitchn article that ranks the most popular chocolate cake recipes, the winning recipe was actually pretty similar to the Hersheys Perfectly Chocolate Cake recipe! Specifically: Jesse ranks Ina Gartens Beattys Chocolate Cake recipe as the winner. Erika does in her chocolate cake bake-off as well.
However, when I compared the Hershey recipe to Inas recipe, I was shocked. They basically had the same ingredients and methodologies. The only differences? Hersheys Perfectly Chocolate Cake recipe uses milk and hot water. Inas Beattys Chocolate Cake uses buttermilk and coffee. Thats it!
But those small differences are apparently enough of a difference. Buttermilk has a tangy flavor that helps bring down the overall sweetness of the cake. Similarly, coffees bitter flavor can enhance the chocolaty flavor of the cake. So if youre interested in finessing the Hersheys Perfectly Chocolate Cake recipe to suit your tastes more, definitely check out the variations on how to do so!
How To Make This Chocolate Cake Recipe
PRO TIP:
This exceptional chocolate cake is an original Hersheys cake recipe. It is similar to the Black Magic Cake. Milk is used instead of traditional buttermilk in the Black Magic Cake, making a bit lighter, fluffier cake.
STEP ONE: Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt in the large bowl of a stand mixer.
STEP TWO: Add the milk, eggs, vanilla and oil into the bowl with the dry ingredients.
STEP THREE: Beat together with a hand mixer on medium speed or whisk. Gradually add in the cup of water or hot water while mixing to help break apart the batter.
PRO TIP:
The boiling water is a traditional technique used to help break apart the dry ingredients in the cake batter.
STEP FOUR: Pour the batter into a 9×13 baking pan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.
STEP FIVE: Bake in an oven preheated to 350°F for 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out with just a few crumbs.
STEP SIX: Cool cake completely. Prepare the frosting while the cake is cooling.
STEP SEVEN: In the medium bowl of a stand mixer or with a hand mixer, slowly begin to beat together the softened butter, vanilla and cocoa powder.
STEP EIGHT: Rotate between adding the powdered sugar and heavy cream until both are fully incorporated, and the frosting is fluffy and smooth.
PRO TIP:
The frosting is a bit thicker and richer than the traditional Hersheys chocolate frosting recipe. Its a delicious chocolate buttercream frosting.
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Making The Hersheys Perfectly Chocolate Cake Recipe Even Better
First, I tried the original Hersheys Perfectly Chocolate Cake recipe without any modifications. I wanted to see if, after all these years and a cookbook later, Id changed my mind. I also wanted to see if I would agree with any of Jesses criticisms against the recipe.
To my surprise, I STILL thought that the original, unmodified Hersheys Perfectly Chocolate Cake recipe produced a delicious cake. I especially loved the super soft and moist cake crumb. I thought the chocolate frosting was a dream to work with. Its texture was super silky and creamy, making the cake easy to frost!
But that being said, I also understood where Jesse was coming from. I could see why he thought the cake was overly moist and sweet. So in my version of the recipe below, I updated the Hersheys Perfectly Chocolate Cake recipe to address some of his major criticisms. Learn more in the next section!
Keto Hersheys Chocolate Cake
Are you doing a keto diet and missing Hersheys Perfectly Chocolate cake recipe? You know the one thats on the back of Hersheys cocoa powder box.
Well, this keto Hersheys chocolate cake, is the best keto chocolate cake recipe to silence that craving!
Having grown up making Hersheys chocolate cake, I was bound to start craving this rich chocolatey recipe.
Needless to say, a Keto Hersheys Chocolate Cake recipe would become a must for this girl. This recipe is like the majority of the keto ones I share, usually start with an intense craving for the high-carb version.
Its what fuels me to find a way to bring it back into my world without the need to cheat and then share it with you all.
Im loving the idea of creating Hersheys cocoa keto recipes that will help keep the keto community on track.
If youre a fan of chocolate cakes, you might also want to try our Keto Chocolate Cream Cheese Pound Cake recipe.
Its another rich dark chocolate cake that will shoosh your chocolate cravings.
I also have a keto chocolate coconut flour pound cakethat uses Hersheys cocoa powder. This makes it a nut-free option.
In case you dont know, I have a complete list of Keto Cakes that any cake lover doing keto would enjoy exploring.
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Frosting Ideas For Hersheys Chocolate Cake
Hersheys recommends frosting this cake with their Perfectly Chocolate chocolate frosting, and it is pretty tasty if a little sweet.
But if youre looking for something different, try one of these great options:
- Peanut butter frosting made with smooth peanut butter, butter, and powdered sugar.
- Raspberry swiss meringue buttercream will give a beautiful color contrast between the dark chocolate cake and light pink frosting.
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What Makes This The Best Chocolate Cake Recipe
It has a wonderful, rich chocolate flavor that comes simply from using Hersheys cocoa in the cake batter. Its super easy to make. The frosting is creamy and so delicious. I like to double the frosting recipe on this cake so it yields a nice, thick layer of frosting. And this cake has been a big hit at every single party where Ive served it. People love a good chocolate cake, and this is one good chocolate cake!
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Hersheys Chocolate Cake Recipe
Quite fittingly this homemade chocolate cake is often referred to as the Perfectly Chocolate Hersheys Chocolate Cake Recipe.
Let me tell you, this rich chocolate cake is indeed, perfect. Its like a chocolate experience.
This is a cake with intense chocolate flavor. Therefore its not overly sweet, though can be sweetened up with your choice of frosting.
Best Cake Making Technique Tips
- For even cake layers, I like to actually weigh out the layers with a digital kitchen scale to make sure theyre even. The easiest way to do this is to set a prepared cake pan on a digital scale and tare it to 0. Pour batter into the pan until the scale registers the weight listed in the recipe . Repeat with the second and third cake pans.
- Use a large, fine-mesh sieve to sift ingredients for the frosting. Its the fastest and easiest way to sift ingredients! All you need to do is place the fine-mesh sieve over a bowl. Then, dump the ingredients that need to be sifted into the sieve. Use a whisk to stir the ingredients until they pass through the bottom of the sieve and into the bowl below.
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How Do You Make The Best Chocolate Cake
- Make sure you preheat your oven before starting. Weve included temperatures for standard AND fan or convention ovens.
- If using springform pans, note that they are NOT 100% leakproof. Very thin cake batters such as this one will leak through the base. To combat this issue, line the base with parchment paper coming up where the sides meets the base to create a cover. Place a baking sheet on the shelf below the cake pan to catch any stray drips. Dont put cake pans directly on the pan as the heat will effect the base of your cakes.
- Let cakes cool COMPLETELY before frosting. You can make this chocolate cake the day before and frost the next day.
What Size Chocolate Cake Does This Recipe Make
This recipe is really versatile and can be used to make:
- One 9-inch 2-layer cake,
- One 13×9-inch sheet cake,
- One bundt cake, or
Seriously! I love when a cake recipe is so adaptable because it means I dont have to dig into my recipe file and find a different recipe if I need cupcakes instead of a layer cake.
Just make sure you grease and flour any cake pan you use or use cupcake liners if youre making cupcakes.
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My Version Of The Hersheys Perfectly Chocolate Cake Recipe Instructs You To Freeze The Cakes Overnight
Although I was impressed with the original Hersheys Perfectly Chocolate Cake recipe, I agreed with the criticism that the cake is hard to frost. Why? The cakes crumb is REALLY soft and moist. It can be hard to frost the cake without indenting it and/or loosening crumbs into the frosting.
Freezing the cakes overnight solves this issue. A cake thats been frozen solid is much easier to frost than a room temperature one. Crumbs are less likely to shake loose, and the cake will hold its shape under a generous amount of frosting.
In general, I always recommend making the cakes for a layer cake ahead of when youre planning on assembling and frosting everything. Doing so gives you more control over your schedule. Why? Typically, cakes need to be cooled completely before frosting. However, cooling a cake completely can take HOURS. It turns a simple layer cake recipe into a full day of waiting and working in the kitchen.
But if you freeze the cakes overnight , you can pick up the project any time that works best for you. Pro-tip: if youre into this kind of recipe time management, I highly encourage you to check out my cookbook, Weeknight Baking. All cake recipes are broken down in this way!
How To Make Easy Mississippi Mud Cake Recipe
- 1Preheat oven to 350ºGrease and flour a 9×13 baking pan
- 2CAKE Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffyAdd eggs one at a time, beating well after each additionSift flour, baking powder and salt together in another bowlAdd flour to creamed butter mixture, continuing to beatAdd vanilla and chocolate syrup to batter and mix wellPour into prepared pan and back 25-30 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out cleanRemove cake from oven and place on cooling rack While still hot spread marshmallows evenly over surface
- 3***To save some calories and sugar, you can substitute my sugar free marshmallow creamhttps://www.justapinch.com/recipes/dessert/other-dessert/sugar-free-marshmallow-cream.html?p=1
- 4FROSTING:Place butter, chocolate chips, sugar, and evaporated milk in a saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil. Stirring continually, continue boiling for 2-3 minutesRemove from heat and stir in vanilla and liquorPour over warm cake and marshmallowsTop with chopped nuts
- Last Step: Dont forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And dont forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
- Printable Recipe Card
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Hersheys Chocolate Cake With Hot Water
This Hersheys Chocolate Cake recipe is moist, rich, and perfectly chocolatey, and made usinghot water?
Yes! You read that right. Hot water!
Heres the thing about cocoa powder: It doesnt always want to play well with others. Sometimes it can get clumpy when you try to mix it with liquids.
And I dont know about you, but clumps of cocoa powder in my cake is not what I think of as delicious.
But using hot water helps to bloom the cocoa powder and helps it to incorporate better into the batter. The batter is nice and smooth and bakes up like a dream.
Allrecipes Community Tips And Praise
“Super easy to make and fluffy and moist,” according to jbain. “Will not buy boxed cake mix anymore. I only used 1 1/2 cups of sugar to cut down on the sweetness. I layered it in the middle with chocolate pudding then frosted the outside. I think I will use hot coffee next time to enhance the chocolate taste.”
“I’ve made this cake a dozen times and it is perfect each time,” says Jolene Marrone. “I get many compliments on it. This cake recipe also pairs nicely with peanut butter frosting, my boys’ favorite birthday cake choice.”
“Awesome chocolate cake,” raves Crystal Caldwell. “Very moist and dense! This will be my go to chocolate cake recipe from now on!!!”
Editorial contributions by Corey Williams
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How To Make Chocolate Cake:
Mix Dry Ingredients. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl.
Addwet ingredients:. Eggs, buttermilk, oil and vanilla and mix until well combined.
Add boiling water. Stir to combine . Pour batter into prepared pans.
Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow cakes to cool in the pan for a few minutes before inverting onto a cooling rack. Cool completely before frosting.
Assemble and Frost: Place one cake layer on serving tray. Spread a generous amount of frosting on top. Add second cake layer. Frost top and sides of cake with remaining frosting.
Keto Chocolate Butter Cream Frosting
I have also included a low carb chocolate buttercream frosting as an option that only slightly increases the net carbs from 3.4 to 4.2 net carbs.
Its a great chocolate frosting to include for special occasions, even as a chocolate keto birthday cake.
Ive also shared in the recipe card how to make this a layer cake, or cupcakes, depending on your choice of pans.
- Unsalted butter, room temperature softened
- Cream cheese room temperature softened
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The Best Chocolate Cake Recipe
Chocolate flavour oozes all through this cake even though its only made with cocoa powder, like our very own Fudgy Chocolate Cake. With a crumb so incredibly tender, this cake stays moist for a good 4-5 days. Whether you eat it plain, dust it with powdered sugar or serve with dollops of cream or scoops of ice cream, it truly is perfectly perfect!
Of course, smothering it with a buttercream frosting never hurt anyone.
How To Store Hershey’s Chocolate Cake
Since this cake is frosted with buttercream instead of a cream cheese frosting, it will last at room temperature for up to five days. If you’ve cut the cake, it won’t last quite as long maybe four days. Cutting the cake introduces air, which contributes to drying.
If your cake becomes slightly dry before the four to five days are up, that’s OK! Just use the leftovers to make Cake Balls.
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What Ingredient Makes A Cake Rise Baking Soda Or Baking Powder
Both raising agents are used in this recipe to ensure it rises enough. The sponge itself contains oil, which is quite a heavy ingredient that normally creates a dense result. Using both raising agents together balance this out to provide just the right amount of rise.
If your cakes turn out flat, make sure you check expiry dates. Keep in mind both baking powder and soda will lose their effectiveness if kept too long in your pantry.