Easy Chocolate Fudge Cake
This is the perfect chocolate cake to make when you want a sweet ending without a lot of fuss. This 1930s era cake recipe is enduringly popular because it is so simple and fool-proof to make. Cooked chocolate fudge icing takes only 1 minute on the stovetop and you're just about ready to spread and serve.
Prep batter: 20 minutes Bake: 34-36 minutes Bake at: 350° Makes: 12 servings Pan: 8-inch square baking pan Prep icing: 15 minutes Difficulty: easy
Ingredients:
Cake Batter:
1 1/2 cups (180g) all-purpose flour
1 cup (203g) sugar
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup cold water
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Fudge Icing:
1 cup (203g) sugar
1/4 cup (22g) unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
Pre-heat the oven to 350°.
To make cake batter: In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. In a small bowl, whisk together water, oil, white vinegar, and vanilla. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients to dry and stir until just combined. Pour batter into an ungreased 8" square baking pan and bake 34-36 minutes at 350°. When done, sides will pull away from pan and top will be glossy. Remove to a wire rack and let cool completely in pan.
To make icing: Place sugar, cocoa powder, butter, and milk in a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan. Bring to a boil on medium-high heat. In the moment the mixture boils, turn the heat down to low and let simmer 1 minute, stirring constantly. Do not overcook! Remove from heat, let cool for 30 seconds and add vanilla. Starting on low speed and then gradually increasing to medium, beat with an electric mixer for 3 minutes. Do not overbeat! Icing hardens quickly, so pour immediately over cooled cake in an even layer.
Cake can be covered and stored for 3 days or wrapped and frozen for up to 2 weeks.
Tips:
- Do not try to use Chocolate Fudge Icing on a layer cake. It works well on a single layer cake in a pan or on brownies.