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Old Fashioned Chocolate Swirl Butter Cake


  • Author: Imili Johnson
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

Scale

For the Butter Cake:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Chocolate Swirl:

  • ½ cup cocoa powder
  • ½ cup hot water
  • 2 tbsp granulated sugar

For the Ganache Topping:

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 8 oz semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp butter (for a glossy finish)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Cake Batter

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch pan or a bundt pan.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).
  3. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the milk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients.
  6. Stir in the vanilla extract until the batter is smooth.

Step 2: Make the Chocolate Swirl

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, hot water, and sugar until smooth and lump-free.
  2. Take 1/3 of the prepared cake batter and mix it into the cocoa mixture to form the chocolate swirl batter.

Step 3: Create the Swirl Effect

  1. Pour half of the plain batter into the prepared pan.
  2. Spoon the chocolate batter over the plain batter in random dollops.
  3. Top with the remaining plain batter.
  4. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the chocolate through the vanilla batter to create a marbled effect. Be careful not to overmix.

Step 4: Bake the Cake

  1. Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes (for a bundt pan) or 35-40 minutes (for a 9×13 pan), or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  2. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 5: Make the Chocolate Ganache

  1. In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it just begins to simmer (do not let it boil).
  2. Pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate in a bowl. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes to melt the chocolate.
  3. Stir the mixture gently until smooth and glossy. Add the butter and stir until fully incorporated.

Step 6: Top the Cake with Ganache

  1. Once the cake is completely cool, pour the chocolate ganache over the top, allowing it to drip down the sides.
  2. Use a spatula to spread the ganache evenly if needed.
  3. Let the ganache set for 15-20 minutes before slicing and serving.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes

Nutrition

  • Calories: 420
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Protein: 5g