Dont Forget The Frosting
What cake would be complete without frosting??
I think this recipe for Hersheys Chocolate Cake is perfect with the accompanying homemade chocolate frosting recipe.
After all, we already discussed how chocolate cake and chocolate frosting are a match made in heaven.
But if you want to change it up, you could always turn to homemade buttercream frosting instead. would be a fun option, too!
Honestly, it doesnt really matter which frosting you use, because when theres homemade chocolate cake, you know everybody will be happy.
Hersheys Chocolate Cake Recipe
Ingredients To Make The Hersheys Perfectly Chocolate Cake Recipe More Chocolaty
So to make the Hersheys Perfectly Chocolate Cake recipe even MORE chocolaty, make the following changes to the cake recipe:
- add 1 ½ teaspoons espresso powder OR instant coffee crystals
- replace the 1 cup boiling water with 1 cup boiling coffee
Whats espresso powder and where can I find it?
Espresso powder is made from espresso grounds that have been roasted, ground, and brewed. The water is then removed from the espresso either by flash-heat drying or freeze-drying, leaving behind dehydrated crystals.
Historically, espresso powder was primarily used in baking as an ingredient. As a result, it was only available for purchase or in specialty stores like King Arthur Baking Company. However, these days, folks use espresso powder to make drinks! You can now buy espresso powder in most major grocery stores and Target. In the US, the most readily available instant espresso brand is Medaglia DOro.
Whats instant coffee? Is it different from ground coffee? And if so, can I use ground coffee instead?
Instant coffee is different from ground coffee. Ground coffee is made by grinding coffee beans into a coarse or fine powder. You can easily make ground coffee at home with a coffee grinder.
In a pinch, you can use ground coffee instead of instant coffee in this recipe. However, ground coffee doesnt dissolve as well as instant coffee during the baking process. You may end up with small flecks of ground coffee in your chocolate cake!
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Day : Make The Chocolate Cake
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.
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How To Make Chocolate Cake
The world famous Hersheys Perfectly Chocolate Cake recipe ticks all your chocolate-loving boxes: EASY, QUICK AND AMAZING RESULTS.
TIPS: Sift the dry ingredients into a large bowl first to get rid of any hard lumps caused during storage, while getting more air into the mixture.
Then add in your wet ingredients. Just keep in mind that the cake batter is VERY thin. Dont be tempted to add more flour as this is what makes the cake super soft and moist.
The ONLY thing you can add to this already perfect cake recipe is a couple teaspoons of instant coffee or espresso for an even deeper chocolate flavour. Of course, this is totally and COMPLETELY optional. You cannot taste the coffee flavour.
Super-fine cake flour can be used if you have it for an even softer crumb but is not necessary.
How To Make Hershey’s Chocolate Cake
Start by stirring together all the dry ingredients in a large bowl and then adding the wet: eggs, milk, oil, butter, and vanilla.
Then you stir in boiling water that has been poured over used coffee grinds. This does not make the cake taste like coffee, I promise. What it does is similar to what salt does to soups or any food.
The small amount of coffee derived from pouring water over the coffee grinds simply elevates and brings out the chocolate. Try itI promise it’s good!
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Hersheys Collectors Cocoa Cake Recipe
Hersheys Collectors Cocoa Cake
- 35 minutes to make
- Serves 8
this is a chocolate cake from the Hersheys Collectors collection of recipes… the recipe for the frosting are here with the recipe… the recipe and photo are courtesy of the Hersheys kitchen Recipes
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Variation: How To Make The Hersheys Perfectly Chocolate Cake Recipe Even More Chocolaty
If youre a seasoned baker, you probably already know that coffee is the secret to making things taste more like chocolate. Why? According to this Kitchn article, coffee and chocolate share many of the same flavor characteristics. Adding coffee to any chocolate baked good amplifies some of the darker taste elements in chocolate, making it more flavorful. Coffee can also make the overall flavor of the baked good less sweet.
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Keto Hersheys Chocolate Cake
Keto Hersheys Chocolate Cake
Im loving the idea of creating Hersheys cocoa keto recipes. I will say that 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 is sure to silence your chocolate cravings.
I also have a keto chocolate coconut flour pound cake that 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.
Hersheys Collectors Cake Recipe
3/4 cup butter or margarine1-3/4 cups sugar2 cups unsifted all-purpose flour3/4 cup Hersheys Cocoa1-1/4 teaspoons baking soda1/2 teaspoon salt1-1/3 cups water
Cream butter and sugar in large mixer bowl. Add eggs and vanilla beat 1 minute at medium speed. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt add alternately with water to creamed mixture.
Pour batter into two greased and floured 8-inch or 9-inch layer pans. Bake at 350° for 35 to 40 minutes for 8-inch layers, 30 to 35 minutes for 9-inch layers or until cake tester comes out clean.
Cool 10 minutes remove from pans. Cool completely frost.
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Adding Coffee To Chocolate Cake
One of my tips for really pumping up the chocolate flavor in this easy chocolate cake is to add some coffee. Even though I am not a coffee drinker, I find it gives great depth to the chocolate flavor.
This Hersheys chocolate cake recipe calls for one cup of boiling water. The cup of boiling water is a perfect place to sneak in some coffee.
Not being a coffee drinker, I dont go with a full cup of coffee. Instead I add about half a packet of instant coffee crystals to my boiling water. I usually use the Starbucks Via Instant coffee. These are great to keep on hand for baking.
Day : Make The Hersheys Perfectly Chocolate Frosting And Assemble The Cake

First, make the chocolate frosting.
Then, assemble the cake.
Finally, finish frosting the cake.
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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.
Faq: Storing The Hersheys Perfectly Chocolate Cake
How To Store Hersheys Perfectly Chocolate Cake
The assembled Hersheys Perfectly Chocolate Cake can be stored at room temperature, under a cake dome or a large bowl turned upside down, for up to 1 day. Press a sheet of plastic wrap against any cut surfaces to prevent the cake from drying out. After that, cover the entire cake loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days.
Can I make the chocolate cake batter and save it for baking later?
Sadly, no. The cake batter uses baking soda to leaven the cake. Baking soda reacts immediately with other ingredients in the batter to create bubbles that get trapped in the cake batter. These bubbles then rise up in the oven to give the cake rise and create its texture. If you let the batter sit for too long, these bubbles will pop and dissolve, leaving you with a flat cake.
Can I make the chocolate frosting and save it for baking later?
Yes! You can make the chocolate frosting up to 3 days in advance of making the rest of the cake. Follow the recipes instructions to make the frosting. Then, transfer it to an airtight container with a lid. Press a sheet of plastic wrap directly against the surface of the frosting to prevent a skin from forming, then cover with the lid. You can also freeze the frosting. Instead of an airtight container, scrape the frosting into a zip-top bag. Press as much air out of the bag as possible before sealing. Freeze for up to 1 year.
Can you freeze Hersheys Perfectly Chocolate Cake?
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How To Make The Hersheys Perfectly Chocolate Chocolate Cake
I was a bit surprised when I read the instructions. After the batter is mixed, you add 1 cup of boiling water, which creates a really runny batter. After baking though, it has a perfect texturenot too heavy and not too light. The layers bake up flat and even, so its an easy cake to layer.
If you havent baked very many layers cakes before, be sure and check out my Baking Tips For Layer Cakes post.
I made a couple of high altitude changes to the recipe because cakes can be temperamental at my altitude . Generally, I use this great guide from Bonnie, City Home / Country Home, to modify recipes for high altitude. Just a few simple tweaks can make a big difference when baking cakes at altitude.