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Chocolate Buttermilk Loaf Cake

A rich, decadent, moist chocolate loaf cake with chocolate buttercream frosting.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time50 minutes
Resting Time20 minutes
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8

Ingredients

Chocolate Buttermilk Loaf Cake

  • 1 1/4 cups of all purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup of natural unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3/4 cup of granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon of baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon of salt
  • 1 teaspoon of espresso powder (optional)
  • 1/2 cup of butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs
  • 3/4 cup of buttermilk
  • 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting (small batch)

  • 3 tablespoons of butter, room temperature
  • 3/4 cup of confectioners sugar, sifted
  • 3 tablespoons of natural unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
  • 1-2 tablespoons of whole milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • a pinch of salt (only needed if using unsalted butter)

Garnish

  • 2 tablespoons of mini chocolate chips or chocolate sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees 
  • In a large bowl, whisk together 1 1/4 cups of all purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, 1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of espresso powder, 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/3 cup of unsweetened natural cocoa powder and set aside
  • In a separate bowl, cream together 1/2 cup of melted butter with 3/4 cup of granulated sugar until creamy using an electric hand mixer or stiff whisk
  • Add 2 large eggs, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract and 3/4 cup of buttermilk and mix until light and fluffy 
  • Add the flour mixture and mix until just combined 
  • Transfer the cake batter into a prepared 9x5 loaf pan
  • Bake the cake in a 350 degree oven for 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out of the center of the cake clean
  • Once baked, transfer the loaf pan onto a cooling rack for 15 minutes before carefully transferring the cake out of the loaf pan and directly onto the cooling rack 
  • While the cake is cooling, beat 3 tablespoons of room temperature butter, 3/4 cup of sifted confectioners sugar, 3 tablespoons of sifted unsweetened natural cocoa powder and 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract together in a medium bowl
  • Add 1-2 tablespoons of whole milk to achieve your desired texture 
  • Once the cake has cooled, top with frosting and garnish with mini chocolate chips or chocolate sprinkles 
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container