When my daughter, Katie, hosted a baby shower a couple weeks ago, her friend, Sarah, requested either a cheesecake or chocolate cake. It was a good excuse for me to make both. About half the chocolate layer cakes I have made end up dry and/or crumbly. But not this one. I think the buttermilk was the magic ingredient, and I made sure not to overbake the layers. The original recipe calls for only two layers, so if you’d like to make that version, bake your cakes for 30-35 minutes. I also made 1 1/2 times the amount of frosting…nothing worse than scrimping on frosting. I also substituted buttermilk for milk, and hot coffee for the boiling water.
Both this and the cheesecake drew rave reviews from the young crowd. So exquisite with layers of moist and tender cake and sweet, creamy frosting in every bite…I sent the mom to be home with 2 slices for later. There was even a bit left for the family…and Bill, the chocolate cake connoisseur, expressed his pleasure as well. I have a feeling I’ll be making this one again in April for both Nick and Bill’s birthdays.
Ingredients
- Triple Layer Chocolate Cake…adapted from Hersheys.com
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 3/4 cups flour
- 3/4 cup Hershey’s cocoa
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup hot coffee
- Frosting (makes enough for a 3 layer cake):
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter or margarine
- 1 cup cocoa
- 4 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans. Line bottoms with parchment rounds, and grease parchment. Set aside.Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Add eggs, buttermilk, oil and vanilla; with a mixer, beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes. Carefully, stir in hot coffee. The batter will be very thin. Pour batter into prepared cake pans. (Use kitchen scale for even division if desired).
- Bake for 20-23 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost with chocolate frosting.
- To make frosting, melt butter. Stir in cocoa. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency.
- Add small amount additional milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla. Makes about 3 cups frosting.
- Yield: 10-12 servings
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http://www.thatskinnychickcanbake.com/2012/03/triple-layer-chocolate-cake.htmlTriple Layer Chocolate Cake…adapted from Hersheys.com
2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cups flour
3/4 cup Hershey’s cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup canola oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup hot coffee
1 3/4 cups flour
3/4 cup Hershey’s cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup canola oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup hot coffee
Frosting (makes enough for a 3 layer cake):
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter or margarine
1 cup cocoa
4 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup milk
1 cup cocoa
4 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans. Line bottoms with parchment rounds, and grease parchment. Set aside.
Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Add eggs, buttermilk, oil and vanilla; with a mixer, beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes. Carefully, stir in hot coffee. The batter will be very thin. Pour batter into prepared cake pans. (Use kitchen scale for even division if desired).
Bake for 20-23 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost with chocolate frosting.
To make frosting, melt butter. Stir in cocoa. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency.
Add small amount additional milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla. Makes about 3 cups frosting.
Serves 10-12.
{ 89 comments… read them below or add one }
Its a gorgeous cake Liz! I’m sure your daughter and her friends loved it.
The recipe is simple and one that must be tried.
I would’ve requested for something like that too, Lizzy! Chocolate cake is definitely top of my list & this is so fanciful
Sometimes just a rich chocolate cake is just the thing to hit the spot. No fancy add ins, no fancy topper-just good chocolate. A chocolate “purist” recipe-and we all love that. Amazing looking cake!
I love your frosting swirl on top! So elegant yet simple. This cake looks fantastic – I wish I had a slice – or five – here with me right now.
If YOU say this is the best chocolate layer cake you’ve made, then I know I just have to try it! Thanks for the recipe, Lizzy! It looks fabulous!
I have to agree with the harried cook if you say its the best then with the marvelous decadent desserts you make this is the one!
I don’t know if it’s the same recipe but my mom used to make a chocolate cake with Hershey’s cocoa. What’s making me smile is that she iced hers just like you’ve iced yours. Smooth sides with the same swirly top. It looks beautiful. Love you Liz!! xo
This sure looks like a really moist delicious cake Liz!I’ve never used buttermilk in my baking,maybe I should try it!I’m sure your daughter and her friend loved it
Great cake. I love using Hershey products. My chocolate loving son would eat this whole thing!
What a beautiful cake! I think this is the recipe I use for chocolate cake too, but I haven’t tried it with buttermilk- gotta try that! I also love the pattern on top!
gorgeous and i love the swirls in the frosting! anne
What a beautiful cake – sounds like a lovely time had by all. =) Did you save me a slice?
There is something magical that happens when a cake is upped from two layers to three. I don’t know why, but it just looks so much more spectacular and this one doesn’t disappoint. I’m glad it was moist and tender. It does look delicious. (Personally though, I’d go the cheesecake route).
This is the ultimate chocolate cake! When it’s really a special occasion I always make something chocolate. Beautiful, Liz.
The frosting looks beautiful on top,i’m sure everyone will enjoy this yummy layer chocolate cake
Ridwan
That looks so gorgeous and love all the pics of this cake. I really salute your baking skills Lizzy.
OMG, even your frosting job on top looks perfect and tasty! Great cake!
Those swirls on top are awesome, Liz! This looks so rich and decadent!
Liz, I love your attitude: making both cakes! I think I would do the same if I were as skilled as you of course
This cake looks incredible. Perfectly shaped, appetising, rich in chocolate and you have added coffee! (I also always add coffee to chocolate cakes, I think it enhances the chocolate flavour). Now I will be running to the kitchen to have at least a bite of chocolate.
OMG you know dear! Im spontaneous!!! love so much Lizzy and look delicious!
I don’t think there is anything you bake Liz, that doesn’t look mouth watering delicious.
Beautiful!!!
~Ann
I would just love to be there now… Delicious slice of cake
I love how you frosted this! It lookd so pretty and delicious!
I’ve made this cake – love you tweaks! Looks super delish (so glad I already got my chocolate fix today).
I’ve used the basic recipe last year for my daughter’s birthday cake, and it was oh so delicious…how much more this one with added coffee flavor. This is something that will surely please anyone, young or old!
Wow, this cake looks so chocolat-y, I love chocolate and everything that’s made with chocolate. My mouth is watering just by looking at these photos. Delicious!!!
Lizzy I am drooling over here, this looks so delicious!
omg i just fell in love with your layered cake, it looks so tempting! u r torturing me Liz!
So yummy!!! Using coffee for the water is a good trick too, it brings out the taste of cocoa/chocolate.
Oh My! You’ve done it again, Lizzy! Look at this gorgeous heavenly cake! Love the frosting swirl topping, so elegantly done! Bravo Lizzy!
I love the addition of coffee. I find it always makes chocolate more chocolaty.
What a beautiful cake! Love the swirly frosting and the layers…this looks so good!
Chocolate cake is my Kryptonite. My knees are weak right now… Falling to the floor in a heap of desire. SO.SO.WEAK… YUM!
Your cake looks perfect! Great job.
The only thing better than chocolate is MORE chocolate!!! oh, and coffee. Yep, this looks like the perfect recipe for me!
Love how you did with the frosting…nice and natural waves.
The cake looks stunning!
We’re on the same wave length today Lizzy, I just posted a chocolate layer cake too!
This cake looks amazing! Buttermilk can definitely make a huge difference in cakes. I love the swirls of frosting on top of the cake, very beautiful!
Chocolate cake is my nemesis – I have attempted it so many time (ridiculous, really) and never been happy with the results. And I’ve certainly never achieved something this beautiful before. I’m convinced I’ll never conquer chocolate cake, but I’m happy to see it is possible. Hope survives
Lizzy – the pictues are amazing, I can only (sadly) imagine how delicious this must be! YUM! I bet this was the hit of the shower, other than the new mom-to-be of course!
Gorgeous Lizzy! The layers and frosting are so perfect & even. I love that you used coffee instead of water. This looks like its right out of a magazine! I’m sure the mom to be couldn’t be more ecstatic to take some left overs home!
Sweet Jesus Lizzy that cake loves absolutely divine!
Lizzy you are killing me with this triple layer chocolate cake. Holy-Moly… I would eat the whole darn thing and become a real rolly-polly! This looks amazing… I love how you ice your cakes. That cool swirl… I need to take lessons.
Two, three, or four layers….I’ll take as many layers as you can stack for this cake. Yum!
Oh my, I’m up for anything that has the words “triple” and “chocolate” in one sentence! Looks divine!
I love the swirl pattern in the icing!! I will happily break my bikini diet for this
My Hubs just saw this cake over my shoulder and said he could go for a thick frosting cake like this! YUM!
This looks like MY kind of cake! Delicious.
As my daughter says “chocolate cake is a miracle!” My favorite
, Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters
Triple layer chocolate cake has been a staple at birthdays in my family for as long as I can remember. Ours don’t look as pretty as yours though
I’m a sucker for a chocolate layer cake. Like the idea of 3 layers. I always give myself a credit-card slice and this way – I get more cake but fool myself!
I’ve dreaming of chocolate layer cake lately and when I saw this I just drool ! hahaha It looks really really good !!! Yup ! never ever scrimp on frosting ;D
This looks SO GOOD…love that fudgy buttercream!
Ooo Lizzy, this cake looks gorgeous and oh so delicious!!
Oh my goodness this looks amazing! Chocolate cake is one of my most favorite treats. I love the swirls of frosting. You are right, no need to skimp on that.
I just adore that swirl on the cake.
It’s been so long since I had chocolate cake and here you are showing me a triple layer ?? Am droooling !!
Your chocolate cake is beautiful. It looks so moist and deliciousL) Great job!
Looks like a rich cake! I love the icing lines on top
Makes it look very artisan!
I do think that buttermilk makes a moister cake. As always, this looks amazing!
I love chocolate anything. My birthday is next week and I’ve been trying to find the perfect high rise cake to make. This looks and sounds delicious especially with the buttermilk and coffee added to it to give it that extra chocolate flavor.
I may need to add this to my list as a contender.
Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful cake Liz! It looks luscious and amazing! I would love a large slice
!
Dear Lizzy, your cakes must have been the hit of the baby shower. I am sure everyone enjoyed it…especially the mom to be with her two slices when she sat and got to enjoy them! Blessings my dear, Catherine xo
P.S.
Lizzy, what is the smart phone app for? I’m sorry, I am not very computer savy.
Aarrgghh … I’ve avoided looking at this long enough … I knew I’d want to eat it right out my screen if I see it large. Can’t escape … it’s been stalking me from FB to Mr T’s blog to my dashboard! I love that you’ve added the coffee … anything mocha is droolicious! I so gotta make this! (I’m assuming you used vanilla extract?)
Yummy looking chocolate cake. I would love to have this for my birthday!
I was just thinking about chocolate layer cake and I saw your post! This is a beauty and the perfect birthday cake for that special person;-)
what’s funny is that i have a piece of chocolate cake in the fridge and i had a piece of pie earlier in order to save the chocolate cake for another day but as you can imagine now i am craving that chocolate cake, which isn’t nearly as luxurious as this cake of yours.
My family will love eating this chocolate cake. I realise that recipe from the commercial sites like Hershey are often very reliable and good and this will be my next website to explore
This cake looks like it was frosted by Picasso!! Muy Bonita Lizzy..
That cake is *beautiful*! I swear I taste chocolate when I look at it! I wish we were neighbors. I would have no problem inviting myself over for some! I’d bring bread of course.
Making my sweet tooth ache… I could go for some cake right now…
lovely cake, I like the swirl that you created ontop of the chocolate cake too!
This looks delicious! I’m also glad to hear this one isn’t dry and crumbly. I hate cutting into a cake only to realize it’s not nearly as moist as I’d hoped. Especially with chocolate cakes (my favorite). I’ll absolutely be giving this recipe a try!
One day I will definitely try this cake
But I’m sure I will have to practice a lot to decorate it like this 
An absolutely gorgeous cake!
I also wanted to let you know I’ve nominated you for The Liebster Award
! You can check here for more details: http://cookingactress.blogspot.com/2012/03/awards.html
This is a cake for true chocolate lovers. I love that you used coffee instead of water. It adds
another layer of flavor.
Hi Liz,
What a gorgeous cake! Love the icing and design on top. So beautiful!!!
Yum – that’s beautiful. Is there anything you can’t do when it comes to baking? lol
There is nothing better than a giant piece of chocolate cake!Yours is stunning! I wish I had a piece of this right now!
Perfect layer cake! The frosting looks fab! I need a good chocolate cake recipe too!
Gorgeous, Lizzy! That is one beautiful swirl.
Lizzy, your cake looks absolutely delicious. Triple layers…oh my heavens!
Oh Lizzy I have missed so many delicious treats that you have made while I was on my short hiatus. I started here with this triple layer chocolate cake and it looks sooo good. I would love a slice right now. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend.
God that’s gorgeous! I can taste it.
This is such a beautiful cake Lizzy! Looks super moist and chocolaty
This looks so decadent! And it’s frosted beautifully!
This looks super-duper yummy, I love the generous frosting so expertly done, and those moist chocolatey layers. You are a baking whiz without a doubt!
I am a chocolate addict. This cake looks gorgeous AND delicious! I will definitely keep this recipe aside.
I could really melt right now just by looking at that chocolate cake! I love to try this recipe! Thanks for sharing!
It’s a winner for sure! You will love it