Chocolate Buttermilk Cake

When you bake often it's easy to find your go-to recipe for something and stick with it. And I love having a no-fail plan for when I need to make something quick, or for when I used to make the same things over and over for the Red Velvet Sweet Shoppe. But I always love trying new recipes too! I was intrigued by this chocolate cake recipe because it contained buttermilk and coffee. (!!!!!!) I also noticed that the recipe called for oil instead of butter. My go-to chocolate cake recipe does the same trick, and I really like the crumb produced when using oil instead of butter (for cakes, anyway). So I decided to give it a try.

I am happy to report that this is indeed a fantastic chocolate cake recipe! If you are needing to make a chocolate cake this holiday season I highly recommend trying this one out. 

Chocolate Buttermilk Cake, makes two 8x2 inch round cakes.

1 3/4 cup flour
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup cocoa
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup strong coffeeIn a bowl combine all the dry ingredients (the first six listed above). Whisk to combine. In another bowl combine all the wet ingredients (the last 5 listed). Whisk to combine. Stir the dry ingredients in with the wet ingredients until nearly no lumps remain. Pour into two round baking pans lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350°F for 35-38 minutes. Allow to cool before removing from pans.I made a simple butter cream frosting by whipping together 1 cup softened butter with 3 cups powered sugar and 1 tablespoon milk. I didn't think I had quite enough frosting for the entire cake, so for the center layer (in between the two cake layers) I simply used Nutella instead.

As if I needed an excuse to use Nutella.To make my cake a little more festive I created some snowy chocolate trees to go around the edges of the cake. I absolutely loved this cake, so I gave it a try myself. Turns out these are super easy to make! Simply melt some chocolate (I used dark chocolate chips) in the microwave or on the stove top. Pour the melted chocolate in a ziplock bag. Cut a small hole in one corner. On wax paper draw some rustic looking evergreen trees with the chocolate.

Rustic is the cooking term for messy. Did you know that? It's a cooking secret that I figured out pretty quick, because most of my decorating turns out pretty... rustic.

Sprinkle on a little flaked coconut for the snow. Allow the chocolate to set over night or pop it in the refrigerator for an hour if you need it sooner. Carefully remove the chocolate trees from the wax paper and press into the sides of your frosted cake.I highly recommend making a few extra trees in case a few break in the process. Just FYI. :) Happy baking! xo. Emma

Comments

[Chelsea Ahlgrim]

Delicious!!

[Rug Store]

nice cake

[Rachel Rodriguez]

Emma, have you stopped making sweets for Red Velvet?

[Kay]

Dear god, that is the cutest cake I have ever seen! My boyfriend also uses oil instead of butter for his cakes (and cupcakes) and it's so much more moist. Gotta get him to try this recipe! ;)

[Sandy]

Yum, this looks delicious! I love how the trees look snowy with the coconut shreds.

[shannon]

That is seriously the prettiest cake!!!
http://shannonhearts.blogspot.com/

[Emma]

Love the trees, rustic or not!
xx

[Lisette Maria]

That looks amazing! I love it! Perfect to make for the holidays ^^ I am a new follower, and I would love it if you would check out my blog as well and maybe follow me back, at least if you like it.

Have a lovely weekend,

Lisette Maria
lisettemaria.blogspot.com

[Jenny]

I love these trees!!! Saw them on your instagram - so cute! This sounds like an interesting recipe , I need to make a chocolate cake for a party next week so I may give it a go :)

[naomi a]

Your rustic trees are so cute! I want to gobble them up!!

http://theoccasionalindulgence.blogspot.com/

[Joan Ward]

Love this idea. Will try this when boys on Christmas holidays. Thanks for sharing. :-)

[beetree]

Love your "rustic" trees! This will be made and devoured tonight- thanks, Emma!

[Alison]

Beautiful cake! The chocolate trees are adorable!
-Alison

[Mia@Razzle Dazzle Rose]

What a pretty looking cake, those chocolate trees are fabulous!

http://razzdazzle.blogspot.mx/

[Rachel Nicole]

That looks absolutely delicious!

xoxo,
Rachel Nicole

rachyracheshobbycorner.blogspot.com

[Kim]

I love the chocolate tree border! they are easy to make and pretty too :)

thanks for the idea

http://floatingthrufields.blogspot.com/

[Clare]

That looks heavenly.. mmm..

xo, Clare
http://thewanderingelefant.blogspot.com/

[Jennifer]

So cute!

xo Jennifer

http://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com

[Katie Jane]

Definitely going to make this tomorrow. I think we have everything except the buttermilk, but that can be gotten!

[Sarah Dappen]

Mmmm!!! This looks so delicious! May have to make it for my own birthday! :P