Sandy's Chocolate Cake Recipe

Sandy's Chocolate Cake Recipe Sandy's Chocolate Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home Rating 5

"I held this velvety, rich cake on my lap during the 4-1/2 hour drive to the Greatest Cocoa Cake Contest at the Pennsylvania Farm Show last January," recalls Sandy Johnson, who lives on a dairy farm near Tioga. "By the time we got to the judges table, I was almost too tired to care if I won." But win she did! Topping 59 other entries, Sandy's impressive layer cake with creamy frosting took first place!

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Sandy's Chocolate Cake Recipe
  • Prep: 30 min. Bake: 35 min. + cooling
  • Yield: 12-14 Servings
30 35 65

Ingredients

  • 3 cups packed brown sugar
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2-2/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup baking cocoa
  • 1 tablespoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1-1/3 cups sour cream
  • 1-1/3 cups boiling water
  • FROSTING:
  • 1/2 cup butter, cubed
  • 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
  • 3 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
  • 5 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Chocolate curls and decorations, optional

Directions

  • In a bowl, cream brown sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; add alternately with sour cream to creamed mixture. Mix on low just until combined. Stir in water until blended.
  • Pour into three greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 35 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
  • For frosting, in a small saucepan, melt butter and chocolates over low heat. Cool for several minutes.
  • In a bowl, combine the confectioners' sugar, sour cream and vanilla. Add chocolate mixture and beat until smooth. Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake. Top with chocolate garnishes if desired. Store in the refrigerator. Yield: 12-14 servings.

Nutritional Facts 1 serving (1 piece) equals 738 calories, 30 g fat (18 g saturated fat), 139 mg cholesterol, 609 mg sodium, 113 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 7 g protein.

Originally published as Sandy's Chocolate Cake in Taste of Home February/March 1994, p15

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Reviews for Sandy's Chocolate Cake

Sandy's Chocolate Cake Recipe

Sandy's Chocolate Cake

Tell us what you think of this recipe.
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(1-10) of 21 reviews

Reviewed on Mar. 30, 2013 by Culinarycaitey

I have made this cake several times! It works great for cupcakes too. I even won a couple of work Bake-off competitions. This one is definitely a keeper.

Reviewed on Mar. 21, 2013 by kathybrox

I have made this recipe for my two daughters birthdays since 1993. They request it every time and it is now known as THE birthday cake in our family!

Reviewed on Dec. 30, 2012 by amanda1989

Best Chocolate cake I've ever had, My family raved about it and said they want it for every birthday.

Reviewed on Nov. 29, 2012 by kkay52

I made this for the first time for Thanksgiving. It came out perfectly just like the picture, but because I was taking it to my sis in law for dinner I iced two layers and kept one home for my family and boy am I glad I did. My in-laws devoured it and gave it very high scores. I will definitely make this again, again, and again...it is a must for the holidays. Thank you Sandy...thank you!

Reviewed on Nov. 13, 2012 by Lswright15

My favorite cake ever!!!!

Reviewed on Nov. 13, 2012 by Lswright15

My favorite cake ever!!!!!

Reviewed on Sep. 18, 2012 by kristaleecosta

First time I have written a review and I have tried ALOT of recipes for chocolate cake online. Husband is a chocoholic and complains I haven't made a really great chocolate cake..much to my bruised ego... but this recipe is fabulous made exactly as written here. Light and moist and looks great as well. Perfect chocolate flavor. Thanks Sandy!

Reviewed on Dec. 07, 2011 by atticus

This is one of the best chocolate cake I have even make. It is fool proof. I use if for everything. You can never go wrong with this one. Thanks for the great recipe

Reviewed on Mar. 17, 2011 by jlastov1

We all enjoyed this cake. I did the math and made it a two layer cake for our small family. Worked just fine.

Reviewed on Feb. 12, 2011 by Halfways

I have made this recipe many times and ALWAYS get great reviews..very moist and flavorful. Thanks for sharing.

 
 

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