New Year's Eve Chocolate Celebration Cake!
Celebrate the New Year with this wonderfully moist and rich chocolate cake, topped with a less-sweet, tangy chocolate frosting. It's a healthy and easy treat perfect for any celebration!
Equipment
- 8x8-inch baking dish
- Large mixing bowl
- Wire Rack
- Microwave-safe Bowl
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 0.5 cup unsweetened cocoa powder choose a rich, high-quality one for best flavor!
- 0.75 teaspoon baking powder
- 0.75 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 large egg
- 0.5 cup whole milk
- 0.25 cup vegetable oil or your preferred light cooking oil
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 0.5 cup warm water or warm brewed coffee for extra depth!
For the Healthy Frosting
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips or dark chocolate for a less sweet option!
- 0.5 cup sour cream light sour cream works wonderfully too!
- 0.5 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Oven & Pan Prep: Get ready to bake by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) if you're using a glass or ceramic dish. For a metal pan, set it to 325°F (163°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper and lightly grease the sides and bottom – it makes cleanup a breeze!
- Whisk Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, gently whisk together your flour, sugar, rich cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Make sure they're thoroughly combined for an even texture.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: Add the egg, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to your dry mixture. Mix on low speed until everything is just incorporated, then increase to medium speed and continue mixing for 2 minutes. This creates a smooth foundation for your cake.
- Stir in Warm Liquid: Carefully stir in the warm water or coffee until it's fully blended into the batter. Don't be surprised if the batter seems thin; that's exactly how it should be for a wonderfully moist cake!
- Bake to Perfection: Pour your perfectly mixed batter into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 35-40 minutes. You'll know it's ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs, not wet batter.
- Cooling Time: Let your festive cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, gently transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. This crucial step ensures your cake sets beautifully before frosting!
- For the Healthy Frosting:
- Melt Chocolate Smoothly: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips. Heat them at 50% power in short 30-second intervals, stirring well after each, until they are completely smooth and glossy.
- Mix Creamy Frosting: Stir the sour cream and vanilla extract into the melted chocolate. Continue stirring until the mixture is wonderfully smooth and fluffy. This frosting is designed to be less sweet, perfectly complementing the rich chocolate cake!
- Frost & Serve: Once the cake is completely cool, spread your delightful, tangy frosting evenly over the top. Slice and serve this healthy, easy, and celebratory treat!
Notes
Don't be surprised if the batter seems thin; that's exactly how it should be for a wonderfully moist cake! This frosting is designed to be less sweet, perfectly complementing the rich chocolate cake!
Nutrition per serving: Calories: 315 kcal, Total Carbs: ~45g, Net Carbs: ~42g, Fats: ~17g, Protein: ~4g
