Jan’s Chocolate Celebration Cake
This isn’t the most stunning morning-after photo of what was (and still is) a delicious chocolate cake-the light was far better last night than it was when I nibbled it with my coffee in the early morning light. But it’s a simple, delicious cake that could become your go-to if you have frequent birthday cake obligations.
This weekend was the first two of a week of family birthdays (which wraps up with mine on Friday), and because one of them was my sister, and I knew her favourite part would be blowing out candles with her grandkids, a double chocolate, quick to bake single layer cake that could be served straight from the pan and accommodate plenty of sprinkles seemed like just the ticket.
And look at that ganache!!
This particular cake comes from Oven to Table, a cookbook by my friend Jan Scott, who took home the gold for best single-subject cookbook at the Taste Canada awards last night. Whoo hoo! Jan has three boys, and so plenty of birthday cake experience. I personally love a cake that doesn’t need to be fussed over or elaborately adorned,
The formula is very similar to our family’s go-to Died and Went to Heaven Chocolate Cake from Eating Well magazine (lots of chocolate cake batters are similar!), and I wouldn’t change a thing- it’s moist, chocolatey, not too sweet. And I love her sour cream ganache – 2 cups of chocolate chips (Jan called for milk chocolate chips, but I used semi-sweet because that’s what I had), melted in the microwave, with a cup of sour cream whisked in. The result is not too sweet, and tangy from the sour cream – a great alternative to buttercream, which tends to be over-the-top sweet. And it spreads like a dream!
Sprinkles are entirely optional, of course, but we could all use more sprinkles these days. Make sure you scatter them over the frosting right after you spread it, so they stick. Happy days!
Jan’s Chocolate Celebration Cake
AuthorJulie
Preheat the oven to 350F and line a 9x13-inch pan with parchment or spray it with nonstick spray.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Pour in the oil and/or melted butter, eggs, buttermilk, coffee and vanilla and whisk until smooth.
Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, until the cake is springy to the touch. Let cool completely before frosting.
To make the frosting, melt the chocolate chips in the microwave or over low heat on the stovetop, stirring frequently until melted and smooth. Whisk in the sour cream and vanilla, if you're using it. Spread over the cooled cake. (If it's too thin, refrigerate until it firms up a bit.) Sprinkle with sprinkles right away, if you're using them. Serves 12 to 20.
Ingredients
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350F and line a 9x13-inch pan with parchment or spray it with nonstick spray.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Pour in the oil and/or melted butter, eggs, buttermilk, coffee and vanilla and whisk until smooth.
Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, until the cake is springy to the touch. Let cool completely before frosting.
To make the frosting, melt the chocolate chips in the microwave or over low heat on the stovetop, stirring frequently until melted and smooth. Whisk in the sour cream and vanilla, if you're using it. Spread over the cooled cake. (If it's too thin, refrigerate until it firms up a bit.) Sprinkle with sprinkles right away, if you're using them. Serves 12 to 20.
Julie, your cake looked simply perfect ….I plan to make it soon for my sisters bday ….two question did you use just the oil or the oil/butter mix.? I if I have to make it a day ahead …should I bake & frost the day before or bake a day ahead & frost it the next day when I plan to serve? Thx L
I used all oil, because that’s what I typically do with my similar chocolate cake recipe. Either is fine- using half of each would probably impart a slightly more buttery flavour, but oil is excellent for a moist cake!
Thank you for the speedy response …I’ll use all oil, a moist cake Is essential.
I think either version would be as moist – I’m just saying that oil isn’t a lesser option – it has always been my go-to!
fabulous! thank you. I am always looking for butter alternatives (in buttercream and cakes) since the price of butter has escalated this year.
It sure has… and I always have plenty of oil! Sometimes I worry about running out of butter!
I think this is the big 5-0 for you this year? Hope your b-day on Friday is awesome and you celebrate in the biggest and best way you can. I think all of us celebrating a big one this year gets a do-over next year (or whenever all of this is over)! Thanks for making this world a better place.
Yes!! so crazy!! I think everyone does get a do-over next year. Lucky to be cozy at home though – can’t complain! xo
Mmmm, lovely recipe. This will be on repeat for sure!
My usual go-to is the good old 1 2 3 4 cake or poundcake, never need to take out a recipe book (it’s that common, variations are in most cookbooks) and you can riff on the theme endlessly.
However, a nice pourable batter like this is sometimes just the thing. Aren’t sheet cakes lovely?
Thank you for posting and thanks to Jan for sharing (I so enjoyed your collaboration with her on *Gatherings* a couple of years ago), nice to know her *Oven to Table* is acclaimed, too.
It sure is! And yes, a nice pourable batter is always good to fall back on. Thanks for always leaving such kind, thoughtful comments!!
What is a 1 2 3 4 cake?
Hi Leila– It’s a basic pound cake.1 2 3 4 is one way to remember the ingredients’ ratios. Here’s a list of ingredients, including a sketch of the method.
ONE cup of butter. TWO cups of sugar. (I’m skipping 3 for the moment). FOUR eggs. (beat these ingredients together mercilessly).
Here’s where you add flavouring (a teaspoon of the best vanilla, if you’re making it plain… variations abound).
Now add ONE cup of milk alternately with the following, stirred together slightly: THREE cups flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, one teaspoon baking powder.
Bake in a large, greased and floured, bundt pan, or two loaf pans greased and floured. Or two dozen cupcakes. For bundt or loaf, bake 350 fahrenheit for about an hour (test with a toothpick for doneness). For cupcakes, 350-375 degrees, for about half an hour.
Easy to remember, right? and no recipe book needed.
Finding your site on my news feed VERY late last night made me happy – & I’ll take all of that I can get.
What a perfectly easy, luscious looking cake – and yes – we sure do need sprinkles in this troubling time . LOTS of them!!!
As none of my friends are bakers I make all of the bd cakes, my own included. At least that way I’m guaranteed to get something I like. If left up to them I’d be eating one of those half-dried out, nasty, store -bought things!!
Plan on baking this Thurs nite as it’s MY birthday on Friday too! So – from 1 “almost a witch” to another, have a very happy – almost Halloween – birthday!
Oh cool!! Happy birthday to you too!!
This cake really delivers in all departments …chocolatey & moist . The icing is a literal dream to make, spread & eat.. Thx for sharing . This is going to be my go to chocolate cake to take to family gatherings and potlucks.
Yay!
Julie I have the same 9x13pan! I often wonder how old it is……I have had it about 50 yrs and did by it in a second hand shop ???
Same!!
Love this recipe. I’ve tried other chocolate cakes from this site but this one is by far my FAVORITE. The cake is so moist and delicious with a great texture. In my opinion, it’s the perfect chocolate cake. I don’t have any of the problems other’s have mentioned. I’m sure the problems are not with the recipe but it’s that something is being done wrong. Make sure to measure your ingredients correctly.
Hmm.. I haven’t seen any comments from people having problems with it?
For the frosting, I used lindt 70% dark chocolate (that’s all I had) that I melted on a double boiler, then whisked the sour cream in and PANICKED because it was separating and was grainy. I tried putting it in the fridge for a bit, which didn’t help. What did help was adding a splash of cream! The extra fat/liquid helped emulsify everything and it was so dreamy to spread!
oooh you’re so smart!! so glad it worked out!!!
Hi! Can you substitute whole milk for buttermilk?
It doesn’t have the same acidity – I’d stir in a teaspoon or two of lemon juice and let it sit for a few minutes, or whisk in some plain yogurt or sour cream, if you have it!
Major thanks for the blog post. Really looking forward to read more. Cool. Candie Morley Rora
Wow, this cake looks amazing. I would love to make this soon. Thanks a lot for sharing the recipe.
I’m in isolation right now and have everything except the sour cream for the icing. Any suggestions for a substitute? I’ve got Greek yogurt, balkan yogurt, cream cheese, milk, butter, and coconut milk. Do you think any of these would work? Thanks so much.
Hi! Can I make this cake in two 9” pans, and if yes, what temperature and how long should it bake for? Thanks!!