Chocolate Sour Cream Cake

This chocolate sour cream cake is rich, moist, and totally indulgent — the kind of cake you make for birthdays, celebrations, or simply when you need something deeply chocolatey. The sour cream gives it that perfect tender crumb and keeps it beautifully moist, while the cocoa-rich frosting takes it over the top in the best way.

It’s an easy, no-fuss recipe (no fancy mixers or layers), but the results feel bakery-level. Trust me — this one’s a keeper.

Why you’ll love this cake

• Super moist and rich thanks to the sour cream
• Perfect chocolate flavour – not too bitter, not too sweet
• One bowl style – no complicated steps or fancy equipment
• Great for celebrations or just because you deserve cake
• The frosting is next level – creamy, chocolatey, and SO smooth

How to make chocolate sour cream cake

1. Preheat and prep

Preheat your oven to 180ºC (fan forced).
Line a round cake tin (or whatever shape you’re using) with baking paper.

2. Make the chocolate base

In a small saucepan, combine:

• 1 cup butter
• ⅓ cup cocoa powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup water

Heat gently over medium heat until everything is just melted and combined. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.

3. Mix the dry ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, add:

• 2 cups plain flour
• 1¾ cups caster sugar
• 1½ tsp baking soda

Stir to combine.

4. Bring it all together

Pour the melted butter mixture into the dry ingredients and whisk until smooth.

Then add:

• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Whisk again until you have a smooth batter with no lumps.

5. Bake the cake

Pour the batter into your prepared tin.
Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
Let the cake cool completely before frosting.

6. Make the frosting

In a bowl or stand mixer, combine:

• 175g softened butter
• ½ cup cocoa powder
• 3¾ cups icing sugar
• ¾ cup sour cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Beat for about 1 minute until smooth, fluffy, and spreadable.

7. Frost and enjoy

Once the cake is cool, slather on that rich, chocolatey frosting.
Slice generously and enjoy every bite!

Chocolate Sour Cream Cake

• Author: Chantelle Ellem

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

1 cup butter
1/3 cup cocoa powder
1 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups plain flour
1 3/4 cups caster sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
2 large eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

FROSTING / ICING
175g butter, softened
1/2 cup cocoa powder
3 3/4 cup icing sugar
3/4 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC, and prepare a cake tin by lining it with baking paper.
2. Into a small saucepan, place the butter, cocoa powder, salt, and water. Cook over medium heat until just combined. Remove from the heat and set aside.
3. Place the flour, sugar, and baking soda into a bowl and stir to combine. Add the melted butter, and whisk until combined. Add the eggs, and again whisk until combined. Lastly, add in the sour cream and vanilla and whisk until smooth.
4. Place the mixture into the prepared tin, and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the cake is cooked through {test with a skewer, insert into the centre of the cake and if it comes out clean, it’s cooked!}.
5. To make the icing, place all of the ingredients into a bowl or mixer and beat for 1 minute, until nice and smooth. Ice/frost your cake once cooled.

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