Description
An intimate and dramatic small chocolate cake perfect for satisfying chocolate cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (130g) all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1/2 cup (40g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (100g) dark brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (120g) full fat sour cream
- 1/4 cup (60mL) vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup (120mL) boiling water
- 1/2 teaspoon instant espresso powder
- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 cups (260g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 1/2 cup (40g) unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare a small baking pan.
- Whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in one bowl.
- In another bowl, whisk the granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, sour cream, vegetable oil, and vanilla until combined.
- Combine the wet mixtures with the dry ingredients.
- Stir in the boiling water mixed with espresso powder.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- Beat room-temperature butter until fluffy.
- Add the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and vanilla, then mix, adding milk a little at a time.
- Taste the frosting and adjust as necessary.
- Chill the frosting for a few minutes if necessary before spreading on the cooled cake.
Notes
Room temperature butter is essential for frosting. If the frosting is too soft, chill it briefly. This recipe works well with Greek yogurt as a substitute for sour cream.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: chocolate cake, small cake, dessert, baking