The Posh Chocolate Birthday Cake

The Posh Chocolate Birthday Cake

If you're looking for a show-stopping birthday cake that's easy to make and sure to please even the pickiest eaters, look no further!

We whipped up this beauty ourselves, and it was so simple to follow, even with flour-dusted hands and tiny helpers asking "What's next?" every five minutes. The result? A moist, decadent chocolate cake frosted in rich buttercream that had everyone coming back for seconds (and thirds!).

We're sharing the full recipe below, complete with decorating ideas to make this cake the party's star. Get ready for some serious smiles! This recipe uses simple, tasty ingredients and is lots of fun, so get the kids involved!

Ingredients:

  • For the Cake:
    • 4 large eggs, at room temperature
    • 2 cups caster sugar (superfine sugar)
    • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup hot water
    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 2 teaspoons baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 cup vegetable oil
    • 1 cup buttermilk 
    • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • For the Chocolate Buttercream:
    • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
    • 3-4 cups icing sugar (powdered sugar)
    • 3-4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 4-6 tablespoons milk
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Utensils (you can manage with only a mixing bowl and pans:):

  • Mixing bowls (one large, one for dry ingredients)
  • Electric mixer (great for creaming the butter and sugar, but a good whisk works too!)
  • Spatulas
  • Cake pans (two 8-inch round pans is perfect)
  • Baking paper
  • Sieve (for sifting the flour)
  • Cooling rack
  • Ice cream scooper (optional, for fun!)

Let's Get Baking!

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease your cake pans. You can line the bottoms with baking paper for easy removal later.
  2. Crack those eggs! In your large bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy. This takes a few minutes, so get those arms working!
  3. Sieve in the cocoa powder, and salt. Gently fold them in with a spatula until just combined.
  4. Here comes the hot bit! Slowly pour hot water into the wet ingredients, whisking constantly until incorporated.
  5. Now for the dry bits. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and baking powder.
  6. Time to combine! Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three batches, alternating with the vegetable oil and buttermilk. Mix until just combined – don't overmix!
  7. Fold in the vanilla extract.
  8. Pour the batter evenly between your prepared cake pans.
  9. Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
  10. Let the cakes cool completely in the pans on a wire rack before decorating.

Chocolate Buttercream Heaven!

  1. Cream together the softened butter and icing sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. This is where your electric mixer comes in handy, but a good old whisk and some elbow grease work too!
  2. Sift in the cocoa powder and add the vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and chocolatey.
  3. Gradually add the milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach a spreading consistency. You don't want it too runny!

Decorating Time!

This is where it gets fun! Let your creativity flow and get the kids involved. Here's a few ideas:

  • Classic buttercream swirl: Spread a layer of buttercream over one cooled cake layer. Pop the other layer on top and spread the remaining buttercream all over the top and sides of the cake. You can use a spatula to create smooth swirls, or let the little ones go wild with a spoon!
  • Chocolate curls: Use a vegetable peeler to shave curls off a block of chocolate for a fancy touch.
  • Sprinkles galore! No kid's birthday cake is complete without sprinkles!
  • Sweets and treats: Top the cake with their favourite sweets, chocolates, or even some fun candles.
  • Bonus- Whipped cream and fresh berries: Dollop some whipped cream around the base of the cake and add some colourful fresh berries for a lighter touch.