Hershey’s Chocolate Cake

Table of Contents

1. Hershey’s Chocolate Cake Ingredients
2. Substitutions and Additions
3. How to Make Hershey’s Chocolate Cake
4. How to Serve Hershey’s Chocolate Cake
5. Storage
6. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
7. MORE RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
8. JUMP TO RECIPE

Hershey’s chocolate cake is the perfect chocolate cake! Extra moist, decadent, and with a rich chocolate flavor, it’s easy to make and satisfies chocolate cravings for any chocolate lover.

If you are a fan of chocolate cake (and who isn’t?!), then you’ll also want to make Better Than Anything Chocolate Cake, Busy Day Chocolate Cake, and Chocolate Brownie Bundt Cake. 

Hershey’s Chocolate Cake Ingredients

You will need:

Chocolate Cake

• 1¾ cup all-purpose flour
• ⅔ cup unsweetened Hershey’s cocoa powder
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1½ teaspoons baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs room temperature
• 1 cup boiling water

Chocolate Frosting

• 1 cup salted sweet cream butter softened
• ⅔ cup unsweetened Hershey’s cocoa powder
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• ¼ cup whole milk
• 2 tablespoons whole milk
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Substitutions and Additions

BUTTERMILK: You can make your own buttermilk using whole or 2% milk and lemon juice or distilled vinegar. For every 1 cup of milk, stir in 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar. 

WATER: You can substitute the boiling water for hot coffee in this delicious cake. 

CHOCOLATE CHIPS: You can add chocolate chips tossed in flour to the cake batter.

NUTS: You can add chopped nuts to this easy cake batter.

How to Make Hershey’s Chocolate Cake

Chocolate Cake

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with baking spray (Baker’s Joy or generic version). Set it aside.

STEP TWO: In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and baking soda.

STEP THREE: Whisk in the salt and granulated sugar.

STEP FOUR: Whisk in the buttermilk, vanilla extract, and oil.

STEP FIVE: Whisk in the eggs, 1 at a time, until well incorporated.

PRO TIP: Make sure that your eggs are at room temperature as they will combine better with the batter.

STEP SIX: Carefully whisk in the boiling water until all the ingredients are combined. The batter will be thin, but it is supposed to be.

PRO TIP: The hot water is key to helping the cocoa powder incorporate well into the batter and won’t leave you with pockets of dry powder.

STEP SEVEN: Pour into the prepared baking dish and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes away clean. Allow the cake to cool completely.

PRO TIP: Allowing the cake to cool before frosting is important as the frosting won’t spread well and will just melt if the cake is still warm.

Chocolate Frosting

STEP EIGHT: Using either a stand mixer or medium-sized mixing bowl and a handheld mixer on medium-high speed, beat the butter and vanilla for 30 seconds.

STEP NINE: Add the cocoa powder and continue mixing until well incorporated.

STEP TEN: Add the milk and continue mixing until combined.

STEP ELEVEN: Lower the mixer speed to low and add the powdered sugar. Once the powdered sugar is no longer “dusty”, increase the mixer speed to medium and beat for 1 to 1½ minutes until fluffy.

STEP TWELVE: Using either a silicone spatula or an offset spatula, evenly frost the top of the chocolate cake. Slice twelve 3-inch by 3½-inch slices.

How to Serve Hershey’s Chocolate Cake

Known as Hershey’s “perfectly chocolate” chocolate cake, this rich chocolate cake is always the right choice. This incredibly moist and tender cake would be delicious with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just feeling like something sweet, this is a recipe that you’ll use again and again. 

Storage

IN THE FRIDGE: Store any leftovers of this homemade chocolate cake covered in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.  

IN THE FREEZER: You can freeze the frosted cake, tightly covered with foil, for up to 1 month. Allow the cake to thaw before serving. 

Hershey’s chocolate cake is the perfect combination of rich, chocolatey goodness and moist, fluffy cake. The quickest way to a chocolate lover’s heart is with a slice of rich chocolate cake. Decadent, and topped with a luscious chocolate frosting, this old-fashioned Hershey’s cake recipe is just the right combination for all those chocolate lovers out there.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why do I have to add boiling water to the batter? 

This easy recipe calls for boiling water as it is key to helping mix the cocoa powder in. Sometimes cocoa powder doesn’t mix well with liquids, and the hot water will make this easier.

Can I use a different frosting recipe? 

This moist chocolate cake would be delicious with any type of chocolate frosting, whether store-bought or homemade.

Can I freeze the frosted cake? 

This favorite recipe will freeze well in an airtight container for up to a month.

MORE RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE

• Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge
• Chocolate Fudge
• Mint Chocolate Cheesecake
• Busy Day Chocolate Cake