Description
This 1920s chocolate cake recipe is a nostalgic trip back to the Jazz Age, where desserts were made from scratch with pantry staples. This cake is light yet flavorful, with a tender crumb and a rich chocolate flavor. No fancy techniques—just good, old-fashioned baking. Perfect for serving with a dusting of powdered sugar or a thin layer of frosting.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup vegetable oil or melted butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¾ cup boiling water
For the Frosting (Optional):
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans or a 9×13-inch pan.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add wet ingredients: Add the eggs, milk, oil (or melted butter), and vanilla to the dry ingredients. Mix until smooth.
- Add boiling water: Slowly stir in the boiling water. The batter will be thin—this is normal.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pans. Bake for 30–35 minutes (for round pans) or 35–40 minutes (for a 9×13 pan), or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and frost: Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting.
- Make the frosting (optional): Beat the softened butter, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, milk, and vanilla until creamy and spreadable. Spread over the cooled cake.
Notes
- For an authentic 1920s touch, skip the frosting and serve with whipped cream or a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
- Add a teaspoon of coffee to the boiling water for a deeper chocolate flavor.
- This cake keeps well for up to 3 days at room temperature or can be frozen for longer storage.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12 servings
- Calories: 280 (without frosting)
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Protein: 4g
Keywords: 1920's recipe for chocolate cake