Description
This chocolate chiffon cake with vanilla frosting is a light, airy, and decadent dessert, perfect for any occasion. With a delicate, moist crumb and a rich chocolate flavor, this cake is beautifully balanced by a silky vanilla frosting. Whether for birthdays, holidays, or a simple indulgence, this elegant chiffon cake is sure to impress!
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Chiffon Cake:
- 2 cups cake flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar, divided
- 6 eggs, separated
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- ¾ cup whole milk or buttermilk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp cream of tartar
For the Vanilla Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tbsp heavy cream or milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Make the Cake:
- Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease and line a chiffon cake pan or tube pan.
- Sift dry ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together cake flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and half of the sugar.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together egg yolks, vegetable oil, milk, and vanilla extract. Add to the dry ingredients and mix until smooth.
- Whip egg whites: In a clean bowl, beat egg whites with cream of tartar. Gradually add the remaining sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.
- Fold egg whites into batter: Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the chocolate batter in batches, being careful not to deflate the mixture.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool upside down: Invert the cake pan onto a wire rack and let the cake cool completely before removing from the pan.
Make the Frosting:
- Beat butter until creamy.
- Add powdered sugar gradually, mixing until smooth.
- Add vanilla and cream: Pour in vanilla extract and heavy cream, beating until fluffy and spreadable.
Assemble the Cake:
- Frost the cooled cake with vanilla frosting, smoothing the sides and top.
- Decorate as desired, adding sprinkles, chocolate shavings, or fresh berries.
- Slice and enjoy!
Notes
- Use cake flour for the lightest, fluffiest texture.
- Cool the cake upside down to prevent collapse.
- Gently fold in the egg whites to maintain airiness.
- For extra richness, add a layer of chocolate ganache between the cake and frosting.
- Prep Time: 25min
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American