Vanilla Cake With Chocolate Frosting

Vanilla cake with chocolate frosting is a timeless classic that never fails to delight. Whether for birthdays, celebrations, or just a sweet treat, mastering this combination can elevate your baking game. Here are five essential secrets to help you bake the perfect vanilla cake with luscious chocolate frosting every time.

The Allure of Vanilla Cake with Chocolate Frosting

The subtle, fragrant sweetness of vanilla cake pairs beautifully with rich, decadent chocolate frosting. This contrast creates a balanced flavor profile that appeals to many palates, making it a favorite dessert across the United States. When done right, the cake is moist and fluffy, while the frosting is smooth and creamy, complementing each other perfectly.

Choosing the Right Ingredients

Freshness is key. Use fresh eggs, butter, and milk at room temperature to ensure the best texture and flavor in your cake.

Flour and sugar matter. All-purpose flour is ideal for a tender crumb, and granulated sugar helps achieve the perfect sweetness and structure.

Quality cocoa for frosting. Whether you use cocoa powder or melt real chocolate for your frosting, choose high-quality Dutch-process cocoa or dark chocolate (60-65% cocoa) to get a rich, deep chocolate flavor.

Mastering the Vanilla Cake from Scratch

Start with an easy vanilla cake recipe that balances moistness and fluffiness. Creaming butter and sugar well before adding eggs and vanilla extract helps incorporate air for a light texture.

Alternate adding dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt) and wet ingredients (buttermilk or milk) to the batter, mixing gently to avoid overworking the gluten, which can make the cake tough.

Bake at 350°F (175°C) until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, and allow the cake to cool completely before frosting.

The Art of Chocolate Frosting

There are two popular types of chocolate frosting:

• Homemade chocolate buttercream frosting combines butter, confectioners’ sugar, cocoa powder, melted chocolate, and cream for a thick, fluffy finish.
• Chocolate ganache frosting uses heavy cream and chopped chocolate melted together, then cooled to a spreadable consistency. Ganache offers a silky, glossy finish and can be made ahead for convenience.

For buttercream, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, then gradually add cocoa and melted chocolate. For ganache, melt chocolate gently with cream and whisk until smooth, chilling briefly to thicken before spreading.

Properly Assembling Your Cake

Place one cooled vanilla cake layer on your serving plate, spread an even layer of chocolate frosting, then top with the second layer. Cover the entire cake with frosting, smoothing with an offset spatula or bench scraper for a clean finish.

Chilling the cake briefly after a crumb coat helps set the frosting and makes applying the final layer easier and neater.

Creative Serving Ideas

Serve your vanilla cake with chocolate icing as is, or pair it with complementary flavors like fresh berries, whipped cream, or even a contrasting chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream frosting for variety.

Decorate with sprinkles, chocolate shavings, or edible flowers to add a festive touch.

Vanilla Cake With Chocolate Frosting

Paul, AI Chef

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12 slices

Calories 480 kcal

Ingredients

  

Vanilla Cake from Scratch

• 1/3 cup unsalted butter room temp
• 1 2/3 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup neutral oil
• 4 large eggs room temp
• 3 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp almond extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 cup buttermilk room temp

Chocolate Frosting (Buttercream)

• 1 cup unsalted butter room temperature
• 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 1/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
• 4 oz melted chocolate cooled
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 cup heavy cream

Instructions

 

Vanilla Cake from Scratch

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch cake pans.
• Cream butter, oil, and sugar until fluffy.
• Add eggs one at a time. Mix in vanilla and almond extracts.
• Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk.
• Divide into pans and bake 30-35 minutes.
• Cool completely on a wire rack.

Chocolate Frosting

• Beat butter and sugar until fluffy.
• Add cocoa, chocolate, vanilla, and salt.
• Slowly beat in cream until desired consistency.

Assembly

• Layer cake with frosting between layers and cover top and sides. Smooth frosting and decorate as desired.

Notes

Nutrition Information (Per Serving)

• Calories: 480
• Total Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Cholesterol: 105mg
• Sodium: 280mg
• Carbohydrates: 60g
• Sugar: 42g
• Protein: 5g
• Fiber: 1g

Conclusion

By selecting fresh, quality ingredients, mastering a moist vanilla cake from scratch, perfecting your chocolate frosting-whether buttercream or ganache-and assembling with care, you can create a stunning vanilla cake with chocolate frosting every time. Don’t hesitate to get creative with your presentation to impress friends and family.

Try this recipe and enjoy the delicious results!

Recipe Overview

Vanilla Cake from Scratch

• 1/3 cup unsalted butter (room temp)
• 1 2/3 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup neutral oil
• 4 large eggs (room temp)
• 3 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp almond extract
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 cup buttermilk (room temp)

Instructions: Cream butter, oil, and sugar. Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla and almond extracts. Alternate mixing in dry ingredients and buttermilk. Bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.

Chocolate Frosting (Buttercream)

• 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
• 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 1/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
• 4 oz melted chocolate (cooled)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 cup heavy cream

Instructions: Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add cocoa powder, melted chocolate, salt, and vanilla. Slowly add cream until smooth and spreadable.

Assembly

Layer cake with frosting between layers and cover top and sides. Smooth frosting and decorate as desired.

This approach ensures a moist, flavorful vanilla cake perfectly complemented by rich chocolate frosting, ideal for any occasion in the United States. Enjoy baking!

FAQs

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