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    Home » Baked Goods » Cake

    Semi-Homemade Chocolate Cake

    Published: Feb 19, 2022 by Shelby Law Ruttan · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    A chocolate devils food cake mix is doctored up to make a moist, delicious semi-homemade chocolate cake that is a perfect ending to dinner or for special occasions.
    Featured image for Semi-Homemade Chocolate Cake.
    Pinable image for Semi-Homemade Chocolate Cake

    This Semi-Homemade Chocolate Cake recipe is made by mingling chocolate cake mix with sour cream to provide a richer, creamier bite than that of a basic boxed cake.  Finished off with a layer of velvety chocolate buttercream this delightfully chocolate dessert is a chocolate lover's dream.


    This delectable Devil's Food Cake recipe marries the ease of boxed cake mixes with the flavors of homemade baking to bring an easy extra chocolaty favorite to your table. Your family will beg for a second slice of this enticing chocolate comfort food!

    Semi-Homemade Chocolate Cake on a cake stand with a slice of chocolate cake in the front on a white plate.
    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why I Love This Recipe
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 🙋 Recipe FAQ's
    • 💭 Tips
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🍽 Equipment
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storage
    • Related Recipes 
    • 📖 Recipe

    ❤️ Why I Love This Recipe

    ✔️ Semi-homemade chocolate cake starts with a cake mix but tastes like from scratch!
    ✔️ This chocolate cake recipe serves 18, perfect for your birthday parties or family gatherings!
    ✔️ So moist and chocolaty, this is the best devils food cake recipe ever!

    Flour and cocoa powder sifted through a mesh strainer into a white bowl.

    🥘 Ingredients

    Devil's food cake mix

    All-purpose flour 

    Cocoa powder

    Large eggs

    Canola oil, (the back of the cake mix will have a different amount, however since you are adding the sour cream you won’t need as much oil)

    Pure vanilla extract

    Sour cream

    Powdered sugar

    2% Milk

    Unsalted butter

    🔪 Instructions

    For the Cake :

    1. Preheat the oven to 350℉.
    2. Spray the inside of the 2 cake pans with cooking spray and line with a circle of parchment paper; set aside.
    3. Add the cake mix, flour, and cocoa powder to a large bowl and stir with a wire whisk until combined.
    4. Add the eggs, oil, water, and vanilla to the dry ingredients. With an electric hand mixer on a medium setting, mix the ingredients until thoroughly blended.
    5. Using a silicone spatula, fold in the sour cream.
    6. Evenly distribute the cake batter into the greased cake pans.
    7. Bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
    8. Remove the cake from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack.
    A white mixing bowl with prepared chocolate cake mix with sour cream plopped in the center.

    To Frost the cake:

    1. In a large bowl, mix the powdered sugar and cocoa powder until combined, set aside. 
    2. In a separate large mixing bowl use an electric hand mixer to cream the butter.
    3. Using a low speed, mix the vanilla extract, ¼ milk, and ¾  cup of the cocoa mixture into the butter.
    4. Continue adding the cocoa mixture and milk alternately until the frosting forms a smooth and creamy texture throughout.

    🙋 Recipe FAQ's

    What is devil’s food cake?

    Devils food cake is a rich, moist chocolate layer cake, known as the chocolate counterpart to an angel food cake.

    Does homemade buttercream frosting have to be refrigerated?

     Because of its high-fat content buttercream frosting can sit at room temperature for about a week.

    How do I know when my chocolate buttercream frosting is ready?

    The frosting should form a peak when pulling the mixing beaters out.

    Overhead view of mixing beaters resting on top of mixed chocolate frosting in a white bowl.

    💭 Tips

    • After 20 minutes of baking, check the doneness of the cake layers and turn the pans if needed. 
    • For best results use an electric hand mixer to mix the chocolate buttercream frosting 20 minutes before using, until smooth and creamy throughout. 
    • To prevent the chocolate cake from crumbling chill the cake layers before applying chocolate frosting.

    📖 Variations

    • For extra chocolate flavor add a layer of chocolate ganache between the devils food cake layers.
    • Add an instant chocolate pudding mix to the wet ingredients for an extra moist chocolate cake recipe. 
    • Use the chocolate cake batter to make delicious chocolate cupcakes!

    🍽 Equipment

    Electric hand mixer

    9” cake pans

    Large bowl

    Silicone spoon spatula

    Wire rack 

    Angled icing spatula

    One slice of the best devils food cake recipe on a white plate with the whole cake blurred in the background.

    Serving Suggestions

    This luscious chocolate cake mix with sour cream pairs perfectly a scoop of Rhubarb Ice Cream with Vanilla Cream Cookies, a cold cup of milk, or a hot cup of strong coffee.

    Storage

    Store this semi-homemade chocolate cake covered at room temperature for 3 days, refrigerated in an airtight container for a week, or frozen for up to 3 months. 

    Related Recipes 

    Chocolate Zucchini Cookies with White Chocolate Chips

    Chocolate Mint Cookies with Andes Candies

    Mexican Brownies Recipe with Cinnamon and Cayenne

    Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

    A whole cake made with the best devils food cake recipe on a white plate with one slice cut and pulled out from the center of the cake.

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    When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @honeybunchhunts or #honeybunchhunts so I can see your photos!

    If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating

    📖 Recipe

    Featured image for Semi-Homemade Chocolate Cake.

    Semi-Homemade Chocolate Cake

    Shelby Law Ruttan
    A chocolate devils food cake mix is doctored up to make a moist, delicious semi-homemade chocolate cake that is a perfect ending to dinner or for special occasions.
    4.67 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Go to Collections
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 45 mins
    Course Dessert Recipes
    Cuisine American
    Servings 18 people
    Calories 299 kcal

    Equipment

    • Electric hand mixer
    • 9” cake pans
    • Large mixing bowl
    • Silicone spoon spatula
    • Wire rack 
    • Angled icing spatula

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Ingredients
      

    For the cake

    • 15.25 ounces Devil's food cake mix
    • ¾ cup all-purpose flour 
    • ¼ cup cocoa powder
    • 3 large eggs
    • 1 tablespoon canola oil
    • 1¼ cup water
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • 1 cup sour cream

    For the frosting

    • ½ cup unsalted butter
    • 3 cups powdered sugar
    • ⅓ cup cocoa powder
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • ½ cup milk

    Instructions
     

    For the cake

    • Preheat the oven to 350℉.
    • Spray the inside of the 2 cake pans with cooking spray and line with a circle of parchment paper; set aside.
    • Add the cake mix, flour, and cocoa powder to a large bowl and stir with a wire whisk until combined.
    • Add the eggs, oil, water, and vanilla to the dry ingredients. With an electric hand mixer on a medium setting, mix the ingredients until thoroughly blended.
    • Using a silicone spatula, fold in the sour cream.
    • Evenly distribute the cake batter into the greased cake pans.
    • Bake for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
    • Remove the cake from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack.

    For the frosting

    • In a large bowl, mix the powdered sugar and cocoa powder until combined, set aside.
    • In a separate large mixing bowl use an electric hand mixer to cream the butter.
    • Using a low speed, mix the vanilla extract, ¼ milk, and ¾  cup of the cocoa mixture into the butter.
    • Continue adding the cocoa mixture and milk alternately until the frosting forms a smooth and creamy texture throughout.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 299kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 4gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 52mgSodium: 226mgPotassium: 169mgFiber: 2gSugar: 30gVitamin A: 290IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 69mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword best devils food cake recipe, cake mix and sour cream, chocolate cake, chocolate cake mix with sour cream, Semi-Homemade Chocolate Cake
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    About Shelby Law Ruttan

    Honeybunch Hunts is a website dedicated to sharing canning and dehydrating recipes, wild game recipes, fish, seafood, plant based recipes, and some DIY scattered in between. Written by Shelby Law Ruttan, is also author and owner of Grumpy’s Honeybunch, and The Best Vegetarian Recipes. Shelby has also authored two cookbooks, The One Pot Paleo Cookbook and The Pescatarian Keto Cookbook.

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