Welcome to the world of chocolate perfection! As someone who has spent years perfecting the art of baking, I can confidently say that the perfectly chocolate hershey's cake is the crown jewel of all chocolate desserts. This isn't just any ordinary cake ; it's a rich, moist masterpiece that transforms simple ingredients into pure magic.

When you bite into this perfectly chocolate hershey's cake, you'll understand why it has become the gold standard for chocolate lovers everywhere. The secret lies in using genuine Hershey's cocoa powder combined with time-tested techniques that create an incredibly tender crumb and intense chocolate flavor that will leave your guests begging for the recipe.

Finished Chocolate Hershey's Cake with creamy frosting and chocolate shavings on marble stand

The Legacy Behind This Extraordinary Recipe

The perfectly chocolate hershey's cake didn't become legendary overnight ; it earned its reputation through decades of bringing families together around the dinner table. Originally developed by Hershey's own test kitchens, this recipe represents the perfect balance of science and art in baking. What makes this cake truly special is its foolproof nature ; even beginner bakers can achieve professional-quality results.

This perfectly chocolate hershey's cake stands out from other chocolate cakes because it uses boiling water as a secret ingredient, which blooms the cocoa powder and creates an incredibly moist texture. The combination of buttermilk and coffee enhances the chocolate flavor without overpowering it, while the simple mixing method ensures you'll never have a dry or dense cake again.

Jump to:

Ingredients
Instructions
Equipment For Perfectly Chocolate Hershey's Cake
Recipe Variations
Storage
Grandma's Coffee Secret That Changed Everything
FAQ
Sweet Endings: More Delicious Adventures Await
Related
Pairing

Ingredients

All-purpose flour
Granulated sugar
Hershey's unsweetened cocoa powder
Baking powder
Baking soda
Salt
Large eggs
Buttermilk
Vegetable oil
Vanilla extract
Boiling water
Instant coffee granules
Butter for frosting
Powdered sugar
Cream cheese
Heavy cream

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Prepare Your Foundation

Preheat oven to 350°F and grease two 9-inch round cake pans
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt
Create a well in the center of dry ingredients

Build the Batter

In a separate bowl, beat eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla extract until well combined
Pour wet ingredients into the well of dry ingredients
Mix until just combined, then slowly add boiling water mixed with instant coffee

Bake to Perfection

Divide batter evenly between prepared pans
Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean
Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely
Shape your featured image by placing one layer on serving plate, adding frosting, then topping with second layer
Create smooth, even frosting coverage using offset spatula for that perfect bakery-style finish

Whisking flour, cocoa, sugar, and leaveners together in a large bowl

Step 1: Combine all spices into a large bowl and combine thoroughly with mixture

Pouring wet ingredients into cocoa-flour mixture and stirring with spoon

Step 2: Form into ball shape with your hands

Chocolate cake batter divided into two round pans ready to bake

Step 2: Form into ball shape with your hands

Equipment For Perfectly Chocolate Hershey's Cake

Two 9-inch round cake pans
Large mixing bowls
Electric mixer or whisk
Measuring cups and spoons
Wire cooling racks
Rubber spatula
Offset spatula for frosting

Expert Cooking Tips

Always use room temperature ingredients for the smoothest batter
Don't overmix the batter ; lumps are perfectly fine
The batter will be thin ; this is normal and creates the moist texture
Test doneness with a toothpick in multiple spots
Cool completely before frosting to prevent melting
Store cocoa powder in a cool, dry place for best results

Recipe Variations

Add 1 cup chocolate chips for extra richness
Substitute coffee with hot chocolate for kid-friendly version
Create cupcakes using the same perfectly chocolate hershey's cake batter
Make it gluten-free by substituting almond flour
Add a layer of raspberry jam between cake layers
Top with salted caramel for gourmet touch

Storage

Store covered cake at room temperature for up to 3 days
Refrigerate frosted perfectly chocolate hershey's cake for up to 1 week
Freeze unfrosted layers wrapped in plastic for up to 3 months
Thaw frozen cake layers at room temperature before frosting
Keep leftover slices in airtight containers

Grandma's Coffee Secret That Changed Everything

Here's the game-changing secret that transforms an ordinary chocolate cake into the perfectly chocolate hershey's cake: adding a tablespoon of instant coffee granules to your boiling water. This isn't about making the cake taste like coffee ; instead, coffee acts as a flavor enhancer that intensifies the chocolate taste exponentially.

The science behind this perfectly chocolate hershey's cake secret lies in how caffeine compounds interact with cocoa compounds, creating depth and complexity that you simply can't achieve with cocoa alone. Don't worry if you're not a coffee lover ; the coffee flavor completely disappears, leaving only pure, intensified chocolate bliss that will make this your go-to dessert recipe forever.

FAQ

What was Julia Child's favorite cake?

Julia Child famously adored chocolate cakes, particularly those made with quality cocoa like our perfectly chocolate hershey's cake. She believed that the key to exceptional chocolate desserts was using the finest ingredients and proper technique. Child would have appreciated this recipe's simplicity and the way it showcases pure chocolate flavor without unnecessary complications.

What is the most famous chocolate cake in the world?

The perfectly chocolate hershey's cake ranks among the world's most beloved chocolate cakes, alongside classics like Black Forest and Devil's Food. Its fame comes from consistent results and incredible flavor that appeals to chocolate lovers globally. This recipe has been passed down through generations, earning its place as an iconic American dessert.

What is a secret ingredient to moisten cakes?

The secret to achieving the moist texture in perfectly chocolate hershey's cake is the combination of boiling water and oil. Boiling water blooms the cocoa powder while oil provides lasting moisture that butter cannot match. Additionally, buttermilk adds tenderness through its acidity, creating the perfect trifecta for moisture retention.

Is chocolate cake better with oil or butter?

For the perfectly chocolate hershey's cake, oil creates superior moisture and texture compared to butter. Oil remains liquid at room temperature, keeping the cake moist longer, while butter can make cakes denser. However, butter provides richer flavor, so this recipe strategically uses oil in the cake and butter in the frosting for optimal results.

Sweet Endings: More Delicious Adventures Await

Now that you've mastered the perfectly chocolate hershey's cake, your baking journey doesn't have to end here. Consider trying our Easy Blue Velvet Cake Recipe for a colorful twist on classic flavors, or dive into The Perfect Pudding Cake Recipe for another show-stopping dessert that will impress your family and friends.

The beauty of baking lies in the endless possibilities for creativity and joy. This perfectly chocolate hershey's cake will undoubtedly become a staple in your recipe collection, but don't be afraid to experiment with the variations and make it uniquely yours. Remember, every great baker started with mastering one perfectly chocolate hershey's cake recipe, and from there, the sweet possibilities are truly endless.

From my kitchen, with heart.
Emily Nelson ❤️

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