Easy Chocolate Birthday Cake

Steps to make

1. 1

   Heat oven and prepare baking pan

   5 min
   

   Preheat the oven to 350 °F and grease an 8х12-inch baking pan.

2. 2

   Combine butter and milk

   5 min
   

   Melt 1 ¾ sticks butter, add ½ cup milk and mix to combine. Set aside to cool slightly.

4. 3

   Mix all dry ingredients

   2 min
   

   In a large bowl, mix together 1 ¾ cups flour, 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda, ⅔ cup cocoa powder, 1 ½ cups sugar, and ¼ teaspoon salt.

5. 4

   Stir in the wet ingredients

   2 min
   

   Add the butter mixture, 2 large eggs, and ⅔ cup sour cream to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.

6. 5

   Add hot water or coffee

   1 min
   

   Whisk in ½ cup hot water or coffee and mix until smooth.

7. 6

   Bake

   25 min
   

   Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan. Bake the cake for 20-25 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Don’t overbake.

8. 7

   Cool

   

   Once baked, let the cake cool completely on a wire rack.

9. 8

   Make frosting

   5 min
   

   In a medium heat-proof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water, place 7 ounces finely chopped chocolate and ¾ cup heavy cream. Stir occasionally until melted.

10. 9

    Frost

    

    Cover the cooled cake evenly with the prepared chocolate frosting. Add sprinkles if desired. Refrigerate for 1 hour until set. Keep in the fridge before serving. The cake will keep well in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

11. 10

    Serve

    

    Slice and serve at room temperature.