Luscious Chocolate Pecan Cake
A decadent chocolate cake with a delightful pecan frosting, perfect for celebrations or a sweet treat any day.
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 400kcal
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder plus extra for dusting
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water to make the batter moist
For the Frosting
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans for mixing in the frosting
For Garnish
- to taste whole pecans for garnish
- to taste chocolate shavings for garnish
Instructions
Preheat and Prepare
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans generously.
Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Incorporate the Wet Ingredients
- Add whole milk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Beat well on medium speed for about 2 minutes.
Add Boiling Water
- Carefully stir in the boiling water. The batter will be thin, which ensures moistness.
Bake the Cake
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
Prepare the Frosting
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with cocoa powder until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and milk, alternating, and mix until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract and chopped pecans.
Assemble the Cake
- Place one cake layer on a serving plate, spread frosting on top, add the second layer, and frost the top and sides.
Garnish and Serve
- Garnish with whole pecans and chocolate shavings before serving.
Notes
Use high-quality cocoa powder and vanilla for better flavor. Consider adding espresso powder for an enhanced chocolate taste and use a spatula dipped in hot water for a smoother frosting finish.