What is the benefit of buttermilk in cake?

In baking, buttermilk adds moisture, tenderness, and a subtle tanginess to cakes, pancakes, muffins, and more. Its acidity also reacts with baking soda, creating a leavening effect that results in light, fluffy baked goods.

How to enhance chocolate flavor in cake?

Espresso powder can be added to just about any chocolate cake recipe for an intensified chocolate flavor. Just know that since it's super concentrated, a little goes a long way. Your cake will only need about a ½–1½ teaspoons, depending on your preferences.

What does buttermilk do to a cake mix?

Buttermilk gives your cakes a more tangy flavor . Because it's acidic, it can easily break down gluten in your cake, which makes your cake softer and more moist. The flavor of it isn't too noticeable, but we love the subtle tang it gives to this cake.

Does buttermilk raise blood sugar?

Drinking buttermilk can lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels . It is also an ideal drink for diabetics as it has a low glycemic index, low-fat content and fewer calories. Diabetes should avoid energy drinks, fruit juices, sodas, alcoholic beverages and other packed drinks.

Why do bakers love buttermilk?

Baking with buttermilk Quick breads and pancakes get a real lift from buttermilk. Not only does it deepen the flavor of your bake, but the acid in the buttermilk works with leaveners like baking soda to give it a fluffier interior crumb and more rise . However, it does not react the same way with baking powder.

What gives chocolate a higher quality flavor?

Cocoa Bean Quality : The quality of the cocoa beans used is paramount. Fine-flavored cocoa beans, such as Criollo and Trinitario varieties, are often considered superior due to their complex and nuanced flavors.

Which flavor is best in chocolate cake?

No one disputes that one of the very best chocolate cake flavour combinations is fruity . If the cake that you're making uses white or milk chocolate and is very sweet, then something more acidic like passion fruit will work brilliantly to balance out the fat and sugar.

Can you use buttermilk in box cake mix?

Switch the Water for Buttermilk Most box mixes ask you to add eggs, oil and water. To make the boxed cake taste homemade, replace the water with rich and tasty buttermilk . Use the amount you would for water for the creamiest results. You won't regret it!

Is it better to bake with sour cream or buttermilk?

The two are practically interchangeable in many baking recipes . A cheesecake made with buttermilk would probably be quite wet, but a pound cake could easily use either buttermilk or sour cream in the batter. Whether you can swap one for the other will depend on specific cases, not a universal principle.

Is it better to bake with sour cream or milk?

Sour cream is one of the fattiest dairy products; the extra fat content (for example, adding sour cream to a cake instead of milk) will make the cake moister and richer , says Wilk. "Fat, in any form (butter, lard, cream, etc.) shortens gluten strands, which essentially leads to the most tender baked goods," she adds.

Does buttermilk change the taste of cake?

Buttermilk adds a tangy flavor and acidity to baked goods, which can result in tender and moist cakes and cookies. When substituting buttermilk for regular milk in a recipe, keep in mind that buttermilk is thicker and more acidic than regular milk.

Can you skip buttermilk in cake?

If your chocolate cake recipe calls for 1/4 cup buttermilk, don't sweat it; even using plain milk will probably be OK . In simple recipes where buttermilk's flavor may be front and center, your top substitute will be Greek yogurt mixed with milk.

Why is buttermilk better than milk for baking?

Buttermilk is used primarily for its pleasant tangy flavor, but it can also help tenderize and leaven certain baked goods .

The BEST Buttermilk Chocolate Cake Recipe

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Meet my all-time favorite buttermilk chocolate cake recipe! This chocolate cake with buttermilk has been made famous by my grandma Dona. She is known for this super-moist chocolate cake with rich chocolate frosting. Once you make it, you’ll never make a box mix again!

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The BEST Buttermilk Chocolate Cake Recipe | Delightful E Made (1)

This incredibly delicious chocolate cake with buttermilk might just be my all-time favorite dessert. I don’t say this because it is a recipe that has been handed down generations, or that it’s my Grandma’s chocolate cake recipe. I say it’s my favorite dessert because it is nearly perfect in every way.

If you are looking for a buttermilk chocolate cake recipe, you don’t need to look any further. This cake is super moist, flavorful cake and perfectly tender, but not overly dense.

It’s topped with a homemade chocolate fudge frosting that is rich, yet, not too much. Once you make this chocolate cake, you’ll never go back to any other recipe!

What do I need to make buttermilk chocolate cake?

Here’s a check list of the ingredients you’ll need to make this simple, delicious chocolate cake:

Granulated sugar – you’ll need the sugar for both the cake and the frosting.
All-purpose flour – you could also substitute gluten-free flour, like King Arthur Gluten Free Flour.
Salt – this is a must for balancing the flavor of the cake.
Butter – I use salted butter, however, unsalted butter is great as well.
Vegetable oil – this ingredient is key to keeping the cake super moist.
Unsweetened cocoa powder – Necessary for creating a rich chocolate cake.
Water – needed for creating the cake batter.
Buttermilk – a key ingredient for keeping this chocolate cake super-moist!
Baking soda – a necessary leavening for the cake.
Eggs – for best results, use room temperature eggs.
Vanilla – ideal for creating a perfectly balanced chocolate cake flavor.

For the chocolate frosting, you’ll need:

Granulated sugar
Milk
Butter
Chocolate chips – semi-sweet is ideal.
Mini-marshmallows

All of the frosting ingredients will be melted together in a saucepan.

For exact ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions be sure to scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Thanks!

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How do I make chocolate cake with buttermilk?

Start by melting together the butter, cocoa powder, oil and water in a saucepan. Use a rubber scraper to stir as it melts. As everything melts together it will resemble a chocolate sauce.

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In a separate mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar and salt. Whisk together to combine. The pour the melted chocolate sauce mixture over the dry ingredients. Using a large whisk, or hand mixer, combine until smooth.

In a small bowl dissolve the baking powder into the buttermilk. Stir until it becomes foamy. Pour into the chocolate cake batter. Also add in the vanilla and eggs. Mix all the ingredients into the batter until smooth.

Pour the batter into a 9 x 13″ cake pan that has been lightly sprayed with non-stick baking spray. Bake the cake at 350 degrees.

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The BEST Buttermilk Chocolate Cake Recipe | Delightful E Made (7)

How do I make chocolate frosting for a chocolate cake?

In a medium saucepan, add the milk, butter, sugar, chocolate chips and mini marshmallows. Heat the ingredients over medium low heat until everything begins to melt together. Use a whisk to beat the frosting together until smooth.

Once all the frosting ingredients have melted together, remove from heat. Pour the frosting over the cooled chocolate cake.

Grandma’s Best Chocolate Cake – a recipe that has been passed down generations

My Grandma Dona is a sweetheart, and like many other grandma’s, will spoil her grand kids with the best goodies. One of these goodies is her AMAZING Chocolate Cake. Originally, this was a recipe that her mother-in-law, my Great-Grandmother Ruth Deffenbaugh, passed down to her.

There are few things I love more in life than how recipes get passed down from generation to generation. I am now making it for my family, so this beloved recipe has been passed down 4 generations – my son will be the 5th!

Here is Grandpa Denny and Grandma Dona with a few of their Great-Grandkids.

Love chocolate? Here are some of our other most popular chocolate recipes:

Double Chocolate Banana Bread
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake
Chocolate Crinkles
No Bake Chocolate Cheesecake
German Chocolate Brownies
Healthy Chocolate Muffins
Chocolate Cake Martini
Chocolate Coca Cola Bundt Cake
Chocolate Poke Cake

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The BEST Buttermilk Chocolate Cake Recipe | Delightful E Made (12)

If you loved this buttermilk chocolate cake recipe, be sure to check out some of my other sheet cake recipes:

Here’s the recipe for my Grandma Dona’s Best Chocolate Cake:

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Buttermilk Chocolate Cake

Erin Indahl-Fink

Super moist, chocolaty and completely delicious! This buttermilk chocolate cake is topped with a luscious homemade chocolate frosting. The perfect dessert for just about any occasion

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Equipment

9 x 13" Pan This non stick 9 x 13 pan comes with a lid for easy cake storage.
Stand Mixer I use and LOVE my KitchenAid Stand Mixer for baking cakes!
Rubber Scrapers This set of 3 Rubber Scrapers by Cuisinart is a fantastic deal!

Ingredients

2 cups granulated sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter 1 stick
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup water
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Chocolate Frosting:

1/4 cup milk
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup butter 1/2 stick
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup mini marshmallows or 10 large marshmallows

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray a 9 x 13" cake pan with non-stick baking spray. Set pan aside.
In mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar and salt. Set aside.
In saucepan, add butter, oil, cocoa powder, and water. Over medium heat melt the ingredients together stirring often. Once everything has melted together, remove from heat. Pour the hot chocolate liquid over the dry ingredients. Mix together with a large whisk or hand mixer.
Dissolve baking soda in the buttermilk. Stir together until the buttermilk becomes foamy. Pour the buttermilk into the cake batter mixture. Add in the eggs and vanilla. Whisk or mix together until all ingredients are well incorporated and smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
Bake for 30-35 minutes. To test for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If the toothpick comes out clean and crumb-free, the cake is done. Let cake cool to room temperature before frosting.
For frosting: In medium saucepan, heat the milk, sugar, and butter stirring often. Promptly remove from heat after mixture comes to a simmer. Add in chocolate chips and marshmallows, and beat until both are melted and smooth. Let cool for about 1-2 minutes, while stirring often. Pour the frosting over the cooled cake. Let the frosting set up and cool at least 1 hour before slicing the cake.

Notes

Storage: the cake can be kept at room temperate. Be sure to cover the cake pan with plastic wrap, or store the cake slices in a resealable container. Cake will keep for 3-4 days at room temperature. This 9 x 13 Anolon Non Stick Pan comes with a lid for easy cake storage!

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 316kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 3gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 194mgFiber: 1gSugar: 34g

Keyword buttermilk chocolate cake, buttermilk chocolate cake recipe, chocolate cake with buttermilk

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The BEST Buttermilk Chocolate Cake Recipe | Delightful E Made (2024)