Linda Studdard was one of my teachers. I saw her in the grocery store, and she shared the recipe for this absolutely amazing, incredibly rich, dense Buttermilk Chocolate Cake with me. Y’all, this thing is crazy delicious.

Click here for the original recipe.

If you desire, turn the cake out of the pan and ice the sides. (Southern Bite)

Buttermilk Chocolate Cake

Prep time: 25 minutes

Cook time: 45 minutes

Total time: 1 hour and 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup water
• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the icing:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 1-pound box powdered sugar (3 3/4 cups)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 6 to 8 tablespoons buttermilk

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and lightly coat a 13- x 9-inch pan with nonstick baking spray with flour.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and sugar.
3. In a small saucepan, melt the butter, then stir in the cocoa powder, oil and water.
4. Heat to a boil, then boil for 1 minute.
5. In the meantime, in a small bowl, mix together the eggs, buttermilk and vanilla.
6. Pour the heated mixture over the flour mixture and stir.
7. Add the egg and buttermilk mixture and stir until well combined.
8. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until a tooth pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. Allow to cool for at least 30 minutes before icing.

To make the icing:

1. Combine the butter and cocoa in a small saucepan.
2. Cook until the butter is melted completely.
3. Take off the heat and stir in the vanilla.
4. Pour the powdered sugar into a large bowl and pour the hot mixture over the powdered sugar.
5. Stir to combine.
6. Add 1 tablespoon of buttermilk at a time until you get the icing to a pourable consistency, but not too thin.
7. Pour over cake and spread to coat.

Notes

Optional:

• After the cake has cooled for about five minutes in the pan, turn it out onto a platter.
• Add only enough buttermilk to the icing to make it spreadable and coat the top and sides of the cake for a different look.

This recipe originally appeared on SouthernBite.com. For more great recipes, visit the website or check out ”The Southern Bite Cookbook.”