Black Magic Snack Cake

This super moist, decadent Black Magic Cake is topped with a rich, silky-smooth chocolate buttercream frosting. Baked in a 9 x 13-inch pan, this perfectly portable dessert is terrific to bring to picnics and potlucks!

I had no event to take this easy dark chocolate cake, but with home renovations in progress, I’ve scaled back to simpler dessert creations. This two-bowl, Easy Chocolate Cake Recipe was a win for me, and a huge hit with the family.

Why You Must Make

• Black Magic Cakes have been around for eons. Originating from Hershey’s, this moist, rich cake is infused with a cup of strong coffee, which magnifies the chocolate flavor. This 9 x 13-inch (affiliate link) version makes for a perfect snack cake. A slice of this old-fashioned, chocolate buttermilk cake is a delightful after-school treat or after-dinner dessert and is definitely less caloric than a slice of layer cake laden with frosting.
• Another bonus is that it’s not much harder to make than a box cake mix. There is just one bowl needed for the cake and another for the frosting! Easy as can be!
• Speaking of buttermilk, this ingredient works its magic, too, by ensuring a tender crumb. PRO-Tip: The acidic nature of buttermilk loosens the gluten bonds in the flour.
• And take a gander at the photo below, and you’ll see why the frosting bowl must be licked! The chocolate buttercream is smooth and luscious.

Reader Endorsement:

From the comments: Made this cake last night and took some to my friend who cuts my hair. She just sent me a text: “Holy hell!!! I swear on my son’s life that is the best cake I have EVER had! 

Ingredient Notes

• Kitchen Staples – Sugar, Flour, Baking Soda, Salt, Vegetable Oil (I use canola oil), Butter, Milk
• Cocoa Powder – Unsweetened. I use the Ghirardelli brand.
• Baking Powder (affiliate link) – Both baking soda and baking powder are used in the cake. Baking powder is used less frequently than baking soda and is also known to expire before it is all used. Check the expiration date on the container before starting this cake recipe. You can also check if it’s fresh by putting a spoonful in a cup of hot water. It should bubble vigorously if it’s still active. If it doesn’t, replace it before starting the recipe.
• Eggs – I always use large eggs. Having them at room temperature makes for easier incorporation into the batter, so bring them out of the refrigerator an hour or two before you plan to mix the batter.
• Buttermilk – If you forget to buy a carton, you can make a replacement by putting 2 tablespoons of vinegar or lemon juice in a 2-cup Pyrex liquid measuring cup. Then fill it to the 2-cup mark with milk (whole or 2% work better than skim). Let it rest for 5-10 minutes to thicken. Stir before measuring and using.
• Vanilla Extract (affiliate link) – Use real vanilla extract, never artificially flavored. I keep the Nielsen-Massey brand vanilla on hand.

How to Make

Expert Tips

• If you love this recipe, check out how you can make it with different-sized pans listed below.
• Have your eggs and buttermilk at room temperature for the best incorporation. Just let them sit at room temperature for about an hour before you start mixing. You can put the eggs in a bowl of warm water to speed things along.
• PRO-Tip: If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can make it at home. Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to a liquid measuring cup. Add milk up to the 1 cup mark. Let sit for a few minutes as the acid will slightly curdle or thicken the milk. Use it as the “buttermilk” called for in the recipe. If you need more than one cup, repeat this process.
• Prep the baking pan by greasing and then lightly dusting with flour to prevent sticking. A flour and oil spray, like Baker’s Joy (affiliate link, but you should be able to find this at larger supermarkets), also works well.
• Note that when you see vegetable oil in a cake recipe instead of butter, the result is usually a nice, moist cake.
• PRO-Tip: For the smoothest frosting, sift your powdered sugar. Otherwise, there may be very small lumps.
• PRO-Tip: You must make sure that your baking powder is active. Baking soda is used more frequently and has a longer shelf life. This recipe uses both. Baking powder usually expires before you use it all. Look at the expiration date to make sure it hasn’t expired. PRO-Tip: If the date is within a month or two, you can also check it by putting a spoonful in a cup of very hot water. If it’s still active, it will bubble vigorously. If it doesn’t, replace your supply before starting this recipe.

Helpful Tools:

This cake can be made as a Bundt cake, a layer cake, cupcakes, or as a snack cake, like above. All of the alternatives are baked at 350 degrees, but the baking time will vary:

• 12 Cup Bundt Pan – bake for 50-55 minutes
• 2 9-inch Round Cake Pan – bake for 30-35 minutes
• 24 Cupcakes– bake for 20-25 minutes
• 9 x 13-inch Cake Pan – bake for 35-40 minutes (all pans are affiliate links)

Frequently Asked Questions

You May Also Like

• Gooey Upside Down German Chocolate Cake from TidyMom
• Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake
• Fudgy Chocolate Sheet Cake
• Check out my Best Baking Tips for more tips for baking desserts
• Plus, you’ll love all my Chocolate Recipes and Cake Recipes.

Note: This post may contain affiliate links; view my Disclosure Policy for details. I earn a small percentage from any purchase you make by clicking on these links at no extra cost to you.

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The Recipe:

Black Magic Snack Cake

Prep Time 30 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Yield 24 servings

A one layer chocolate cake that's perfect for picnics, potlucks and family gatherings!

4.9 Stars (31 Reviews)

Ingredients

Cake:

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• 2 cups sugar
• 1 ¾ cups flour
• ¾ cup cocoa
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup strong black coffee
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Frosting:

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• ⅔ cup cocoa powder
• ½ cup (1 stick) butter
• 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• ⅓ cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350°F.
2. Grease and flour one 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan.
3. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.
4. Add eggs, buttermilk, coffee, oil, and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer for 2 minutes (Batter will be thin).
5. Pour batter evenly into the prepared pan.
6. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Cool on a wire rack. Frost as desired.
8. To make the frosting, first melt the butter.
9. Stir in cocoa. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency.
10. Add a small amount of additional milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla.
11. Frost the cake when cooled.

Notes

Cake recipe adapted from Hershey's.

The frosting recipe makes about 2 cups.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Set of Glass Mixing Bowls
• 
  KitchenAid 9-Speed Digital Hand Mixer 
• 
  9 x 13 Baking Pan

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

24

Serving Size:

1 slice
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 224Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 241mgCarbohydrates: 41gFiber: 1gSugar: 31gProtein: 3g

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