Meet my all-time favorite buttermilk chocolate cake recipe! This chocolate cake with buttermilk has been made famous by my grandma Dona. She is known for this super-moist chocolate cake with rich chocolate frosting. Once you make it, you’ll never make a box mix again!
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This incredibly delicious chocolate cake with buttermilk might just be my all-time favorite dessert. I don’t say this because it is a recipe that has been handed down generations, or that it’s my Grandma’s chocolate cake recipe. I say it’s my favorite dessert because it is nearly perfect in every way.
If you are looking for a buttermilk chocolate cake recipe, you don’t need to look any further. This cake is super moist, flavorful cake and perfectly tender, but not overly dense.
It’s topped with a homemade chocolate fudge frosting that is rich, yet, not too much. Once you make this chocolate cake, you’ll never go back to any other recipe!
What do I need to make buttermilk chocolate cake?
Here’s a check list of the ingredients you’ll need to make this simple, delicious chocolate cake:
- Granulated sugar – you’ll need the sugar for both the cake and the frosting.
- All-purpose flour – you could also substitute gluten-free flour, like King Arthur Gluten Free Flour.
- Salt – this is a must for balancing the flavor of the cake.
- Butter – I use salted butter, however, unsalted butter is great as well.
- Vegetable oil – this ingredient is key to keeping the cake super moist.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder – Necessary for creating a rich chocolate cake.
- Water – needed for creating the cake batter.
- Buttermilk – a key ingredient for keeping this chocolate cake super-moist!
- Baking soda – a necessary leavening for the cake.
- Eggs – for best results, use room temperature eggs.
- Vanilla – ideal for creating a perfectly balanced chocolate cake flavor.
For the chocolate frosting, you’ll need:
- Granulated sugar
- Milk
- Butter
- Chocolate chips – semi-sweet is ideal.
- Mini-marshmallows
All of the frosting ingredients will be melted together in a saucepan.
For exact ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions be sure to scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Thanks!
How do I make chocolate cake with buttermilk?
Start by melting together the butter, cocoa powder, oil and water in a saucepan. Use a rubber scraper to stir as it melts. As everything melts together it will resemble a chocolate sauce.
In a separate mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar and salt. Whisk together to combine. The pour the melted chocolate sauce mixture over the dry ingredients. Using a large whisk, or hand mixer, combine until smooth.
In a small bowl dissolve the baking powder into the buttermilk. Stir until it becomes foamy. Pour into the chocolate cake batter. Also add in the vanilla and eggs. Mix all the ingredients into the batter until smooth.
Pour the batter into a 9 x 13″ cake pan that has been lightly sprayed with non-stick baking spray. Bake the cake at 350 degrees.
How do I make chocolate frosting for a chocolate cake?
In a medium saucepan, add the milk, butter, sugar, chocolate chips and mini marshmallows. Heat the ingredients over medium low heat until everything begins to melt together. Use a whisk to beat the frosting together until smooth.
Once all the frosting ingredients have melted together, remove from heat. Pour the frosting over the cooled chocolate cake.
Note: It is important to make sure the chocolate cake has cooled to room temperature before adding the frosting. If the frosting is added when the cake is still hot, it will trap excess steam and moisture, and make the cake soft and gummy under the frosting.
If you love cake, be sure to check out my Red Velvet Cake Parfaits, Carrot Bundt Cake and my Lemon Bundt Cake recipes.
Make sure the chocolate frosting has time to set up and become firm before slicing. It usually takes at least 1 hour for the frosting to set up and cool.
This cake will serve approximately 20 slices/squares. Cut the cake into rows of 4 squares (short end) x 5 squares (long side) to get 20 slices.
Grandma’s Best Chocolate Cake – a recipe that has been passed down generations
My Grandma Dona is a sweetheart, and like many other grandma’s, will spoil her grand kids with the best goodies. One of these goodies is her AMAZING Chocolate Cake. Originally, this was a recipe that her mother-in-law, my Great-Grandmother Ruth Deffenbaugh, passed down to her.
There are few things I love more in life than how recipes get passed down from generation to generation. I am now making it for my family, so this beloved recipe has been passed down 4 generations – my son will be the 5th!
Here is Grandpa Denny and Grandma Dona with a few of their Great-Grandkids.
Love chocolate? Here are some of our other most popular chocolate recipes:
- Double Chocolate Banana Bread
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake
- Chocolate Crinkles
- No Bake Chocolate Cheesecake
- German Chocolate Brownies
- Healthy Chocolate Muffins
- Chocolate Cake Martini
- Chocolate Coca Cola Bundt Cake
- Chocolate Poke Cake
If you loved this buttermilk chocolate cake recipe, be sure to check out some of my other sheet cake recipes:
Here’s the recipe for my Grandma Dona’s Best Chocolate Cake:
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Buttermilk Chocolate Cake
Equipment
- 9 x 13" Pan This non stick 9 x 13 pan comes with a lid for easy cake storage.
- Stand Mixer I use and LOVE my KitchenAid Stand Mixer for baking cakes!
- Rubber Scrapers This set of 3 Rubber Scrapers by Cuisinart is a fantastic deal!
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup butter 1 stick
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 eggs room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Frosting:
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup butter 1/2 stick
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup mini marshmallows or 10 large marshmallows
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray a 9 x 13" cake pan with non-stick baking spray. Set pan aside.
- In mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar and salt. Set aside.
- In saucepan, add butter, oil, cocoa powder, and water. Over medium heat melt the ingredients together stirring often. Once everything has melted together, remove from heat. Pour the hot chocolate liquid over the dry ingredients. Mix together with a large whisk or hand mixer.
- Dissolve baking soda in the buttermilk. Stir together until the buttermilk becomes foamy. Pour the buttermilk into the cake batter mixture. Add in the eggs and vanilla. Whisk or mix together until all ingredients are well incorporated and smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes. To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If the toothpick comes out clean and crumb-free, the cake is done. Let cake cool to room temperature before frosting.
- For frosting: In medium saucepan, heat the milk, sugar, and butter stirring often. Promptly remove from heat after mixture comes to a simmer. Add in chocolate chips and marshmallows, and beat until both are melted and smooth. Let cool for about 1-2 minutes, while stirring often. Pour the frosting over the cooled cake. Let the frosting set up and cool at least 1 hour before slicing the cake.
Notes
Nutrition
that definitely looks like a delicious chocolate cake recipe! Thanks so much for linking up to wake up wednesdays
Thanks, Heather! It is really delicious – and very easy to make. If you try it out, let me know how you like it. Have a great holiday weekend! ~Erin
Lovely chocolate cake recipe. thanks for sharing it on your blog. I will visit again. Deb @ Kneaded Creations
Thanks so much, Deb! Have a delightful (couldn’t resist!) holiday weekend! ~Erin
Anything with “Grandma” in the title of the recipe is going to be good in my book. This sounds so yummy and moist. Hope it was a happy birthday for Jared.
Blessings,
Nici
It is most definitely yummy and moist! Hope you are enjoying your holiday weekend, Nici! ~Erin
Grandma’s cake looks fantastic!
Thanks, Diana! ~Erin
What a delicious looking chocolate cake!!! The frosting sounds delicious, and served with whipped cream and chocolate shavings… it sounds like the ultimate chocolate dessert!!! YUM!!!
Getting THE recipe would be exciting to get in the mail with a card. That was so thoughtful! Already pinned! I’m happy you shared this with us gals with the Show Stopper Saturday link party!
YUM! I can see why it is her best chocolate cake!!!
Inviting you to link at our SUPER SUNDAY Link Party, live Sat-Tues evenings 🙂
Lori
Who Needs A Cape?
Not Your Average Super Moms…
Thanks so much Lori! Stopped by Who Needs a Cape – always love a great Link Party. Thanks for the invite. 🙂
Hello, I was going through my pins looking for a cake recipe for my grandsons 1st birthday, this one sounds delicious. I had one question though, do you use milk or semi sweet chocolate chips for the frosting.? Thanks,
What a wonderful grandma! My grandma has made this cake MANY times for us kids to celebrate birthdays, and it is always enjoyed by everyone. I usually use Semi-sweet chocolate chips, but grandma has used both semi-sweet and milk. Both taste great and come out well. Enjoy! ~Erin
canwe use milkor heavy creaminstead of butter milk
I would recommend buttermilk, as it reacts with the baking powder to create a fluffy texture in the cake. Enjoy! ~Erin
This cake looks extra yummy!!
I’m going to try it this weekend.
Grandma’s know best:)Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe with Turn It Up Tuesday:)
I love handed down recipes, they are the best! I have a chocolate cake recipe of my mum’s that I always use but I am willing to trust Grandma Dona and give this a try!
Do you use plain flour or self raising flour ?
Grandma’s always have the best recipes. Thank you for sharing it on the Creative Muster. We loved it so much that we’re pinning it to our Creative Muster Favorites board. I hope that’ll we’ll be seeing more of your great ideas.
This chocolate sheet cake looks so delicious.
This would be such a hit in my house. Marshmallows in the frosting! Thanks for linking up at #SaucySaturdays.
Just tried your recipe tonight & loved it! Super moist, delicious chocolatey goodness! Thanks for sharing
This cake was easy to make and turned out so wonderful. Moist and delish! i love your Blog.
Eri, Your Dad is my 2nd Cousin. You may remember Paul and Vivian who flew in to Burke from Oregon when you were young .They were my parents. I started to follow your blog because you were FB friends with Loris and LaDene. I love this small world stuff!
Cheers! Cookie