04 August 2016

Homemade Cake Mix - Chocolate Butter Cake

Homemade Chocolate Cake Mix / www.delightfulrepast.com

Here's my Homemade Chocolate Cake Mix for my one-bowl chocolate butter cake. Especially during hot summer weather, it's wonderful to have the time-consuming measuring or weighing part of cake-making done ahead so that first thing in the morning you can quickly mix the cake and get it baked before it gets too hot. If you're not a chocolate fan, here's my Homemade Vanilla Cake Mix.

I have a lifelong thing (genetic, I think) for canning jars, and the quart jars are just the perfect size for this (and look so cute lined up in the cupboard!). I'm no expert on shelf life, but I pulled a number out of the air and plan to use my homemade cake mixes within three months, though I doubt they'd go "off" in six months or longer. 

Update 01/25/17: I just baked up a mix I made 6 months ago and it was perfect!

This makes a nice host(ess) gift when you've been invited to dinner and want to take something that the host(ess) can use later. You can do something fancier with the recipe card than I did here: just card stock cut into a 3-by-5 index card and kitchen string to tie it round the neck of the canning jar. 

Do you bake in the hot summer weather? My mother baked cakes in the middle of the night! But I'm not a night person, so I've been doing my baking at 5:30 in the morning. (I wonder who first said, "Nothing good happens after midnight.") 


Homemade Chocolate Cake Mix / www.delightfulrepast.com

The cake makes 2 layers, but sometimes I like to freeze one layer for another occasion.


Homemade Cake Mix - Chocolate Butter Cake 


(Makes two 8-inch layers or 24 cupcakes) 


The Cake Mix 


1 1/2 dip-and-sweep cups (7.5 ounces/213 grams) unbleached all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups (10.5 ounces/298 grams) sugar
1/2 packed cup (1.5 ounces/42 grams) unsweetened natural cocoa powder*
1 1/2 teaspoons (7 grams) baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons (7 grams) baking soda
1/2 teaspoon (3 grams) salt 



The Cake Batter 


1 1/2 sticks (6 ounces/170 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup (8 fluid ounces/237 ml) heated water or brewed coffee*, slightly cooled
2 teaspoons vanilla extract 


* I buy organic and Fair Trade Certified coffee, cocoa and chocolate products.

1 Into a quart canning jar for each cake mix, measure flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt; whisk it with a fork; put on a lid. Store in cupboard for up to 3 months. 

2 On baking day, bring the butter and eggs to room temperature. Preheat oven to 350F/180C/Gas4. Grease well and lightly flour two 8-inch layer pans

Note: I've also made this in a 13x9x2-inch pan and baked it for 35 minutes.

3 In large mixing bowl (I use a Cuisinart stand mixer), beat the softened butter on medium speed for 1 minute. Add cake mix to butter; mix on low speed for 1 minute. Add eggs, liquid and vanilla extract; mix on low speed until the dry ingredients are moistened. With mixer on medium-high speed, beat for 1 1/2 minutes. Scrape down the sides and beat on medium-high for another 30 seconds. 

4 Pour into prepared pans. Bake for about 30 minutes. 

5 Cool in pans on wire racks for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from pans and cool on racks for at least an hour, until completely cool, before frosting.

72 comments:

Angie's Recipes said...

Awesome! The mix would make a wonderful holiday gift!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Angie! I plan to give a lot of them!

kitty@ Kitty's Kozy Kitchen said...

Another great gift idea, Jean, and I'm thinking my little campers would love taking this home to their moms! Now, to let them choose which flavor that they would prefer.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Kitty, that would be perfect! I just love your Nana's Cooking Camp!

Thomas "Sully" Sullivan said...

Sin!...Indulgence!...Sugar Shame! (And it looks deeeeelicious.). Also like your idea of gifting in a hosted situation. 5 CLEAVERS!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Sully. Yep, it takes a "shame"ful amount of sugar to earn the coveted 5 Cleavers award, but I'm proud all the same!

Richard Sheppard said...

Love the gift idea! And I'm sure people would love it. A hand made card or sticky label would also personalize the jar nicely!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Richard! And you would definitely come up with beautiful cards or labels for the jars (love your watercolors!).

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Very sweet idea. I like the idea of making a homemade cake mix. Lovely gift item as well. Thanks for your sweet visit.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Linda, thanks! I especially like making my own because I make it all organic.

Sylvia said...

Good idea and looks so good, I love chocolate!

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Good morning Jean! HAPPY AUGUST! I was just thinking of you when your new post came up (late) in my inbox, and then I see you went to my blog! Thank you so much for visiting. I have not properly baked in years. I have however, been watching reruns of the Great British Bake-off with my husband. Those shows have inspired me to take up my spatula, electric mixer and scale to new heights and challenges! Your recipe here looks simple and suitable for any recipe that calls for an easy sponge!

I hope you've been enjoying your summer. I HAVE! School starts in about less than two weeks so there is a lot to prepare for. I am not readY!

Have a wonderful weekend! Anita

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Sylvia, thank you! I'm not too much of a chocolate fan, but I have been enjoying this cake. My husband loves it.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Anita, I'm not really a summer girl, but I've been enjoying life nevertheless! Much prefer autumn and spring. I love watching reruns of the GBBO. So much more civilized than the American cooking competitions I've seen. I'm sure you'll get everything done before school starts!

Bernideen said...

Jean: Any baking post like this would be lovely for my blog party! This looks delicious and don't we girls just crave chocolate!

Cocoa and Lavender said...

This is a wonderful idea for gifts, Jean! I have a personal snobbery against boxed mixes, because I know they are full of preservatives and other ingredients. But, when you make your own, all the bad stuff goes away! Thanks for sharing.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Bernideen. I'll go back and join the party then!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

David, thank you. I have that same "personal snobbery." I think these will make good gifts for friends who use commercial cake mixes; perhaps we can convert them!

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

A delicious sounding chocolate cake and looks very much like the recipe I use - I'll have to check. I've been cutting my recipes down to make a double layer 6 inch cake for hubby and this size is perfect over 3 nights for dessert.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Judith! I sometimes make 3 6-inch layers instead of 2 8-inch. This time I made the 2 8-inch and froze 1 whole layer and cut the other into 8 pieces and froze 4 of them. I don't like to have too much caking sitting around calling my name! :D

Alex said...

Lovely to meet you, Jean ~ and thank you for visiting me :)
Gosh, I am tempted by the chocolate cake...it looks so easy and delicious.
I am bookmarking the page for making up some jars later on for Christmas gifts.

Anonymous said...

This looks so delicious! Wish I would get up and make it! : ) Just maybe I will later! I think it is calling my name though not even made yet!

Have a great weekend, Jean.
Lily

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Alex! The way this year is flying, you'll be making up those jars very soon!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Lily, thank you! I hope you'll make it soon. It's easy to just mix up the jars one day. Stir up the cake another day. Maybe throw it in the freezer for a few days before thawing it out and frosting it. See how lazy I'm getting?! :D

Margie said...

Now I'm craving chocolate cake!

janice15 said...

Angie this is wonderful. Oerfect for your own use or like you said give as a gift. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. Happy weekend with love Janice

Anonymous said...

This sounds delicious, Jean. Thanks for stopping by to say hi to the cats!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Margie, I know what you mean! Sometimes it just doesn't pay to look at a food blog or television show!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Janice, thank you. I'll be having a big cooking weekend, I'm sure!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Mildred! Your cats are adorable!

TONY said...

This sounds great Jean. I like the idea of having the mix pre-prepared. Is there anyway of cutting down on that quantity of sugar? How many grammes of sugar would you suggest for the frosting/icing ? The one thing I have discovered since taking up baking cakes is the amount of sugar I use. I have not had the confidence or skill yet to experiment with the amounts of sugar or indeed if there are substitutes. Can you advise? Over and out!!!!! Tally ho!!!!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Tony, thank you. I always try to use as little sugar as possible, and I don't like sugar substitutes. I will use honey, molasses or real maple syrup in small amounts as flavoring but not to replace sugar completely. In some foods, pureed fruit can fill in for some of the sugar. Some people like stevia, but it tastes odd to me. Other sugar substitutes are chemicals I avoid. I've seen many recipes for chocolate cakes of this size that call for 2 cups of sugar rather than my 1 1/2. Since sugar is an important part of the very texture of a cake, one can only reduce so much without sacrificing texture. Hope this helps!

When making a simple buttercream (icing sugar and butter) for this, I used 454 grams icing sugar, 21 grams unsweetened cocoa, 113 grams unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/8 teaspoon salt, about 5 tablespoons cream. It makes enough icing to fill and frost and pipe borders, etc.

Unknown said...

This is such a wonderful idea! I'll be making up few batches for friends very soon. Thank you for sharing :)

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Karen, thank you! So glad you're going to try it!

Cheryl said...

Oh, wow! I LOVE this. I love making gifts in a jar, too, so I just pinned this one for future use. Thank you ever so much for your sweet visit to my blog. It is so nice to meet you!! God bless you.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Cheryl, I'm so glad you like it! There are so many occasions it makes just the right gift for. Thank you!

The Lazy Gastronome said...

This looks so moist and delicious! Thanks for sharing on the What’s for Dinner link up

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, LG! And it's what's for dinner tonight!

Susan J Meyerott, M.S. said...

Well Jean I didn't get to making this recipe yet, but I came here looking for a waffle recipe to fix tonight. Found it! Somehow I knew you would have what I was looking for!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks so much, Sue! Enjoy those waffles -- sounds like a great idea!

Sahana Ajeethan said...

Love this idea. Thank you for sharing with us at #HomeMattersParty . See you again next week

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Sahana! I love getting all the dry ingredients for several cakes measured out at once!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Marilyn! Much appreciated.

Decor To Adore said...

You know it's the perfect gift when you want it yourself! :) Have a wonderful week my friend.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Too funny! Thanks, DTA!

Swathi said...

You have to send me one bottle of chocolate cake mix to me too. Thanks for sharing a great post with Hearth and soul blog hop, pinning and tweeting

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Swathi, thank you so much! You are going to love having a bunch of these lined up in your pantry!

Pam Richardson said...

Jean, this is an excellent idea for Christmas presents! Thanks bunches, Pam @ Everyday Livng

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Pam! I hope you'll let me know how that goes! (Only 4 months away -- where did this year go?!)

Miz Helen said...

What a great gift idea, I will be using this one very soon! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday today. Have a great day and come back soon!
Miz Helen

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Miz Helen! I think people really enjoy homemade food gifts. Especially older people (and minimalists) who really don't want any more "stuff."

The Charm of Home said...

Great recipe! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, TCOH! My pleasure!

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

What a nice idea - so perfect for gift-giving! I like to bake in early morning, too. Thank-you for sharing these! Wishing you a lovely week. xo Karen

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you, Karen! Besides it being cooler then, I have more energy in the early morning, so it really makes sense for me to bake then.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Marilyn! I really think you'll like it!

Anonymous said...

Hi Jen,

Thank you for sharing your recipe. As a learning cook (I use the word cook lightly), I am really trying to cut back on sugar/processed foods. Now I can stop buying cake mix in the box from the store! What type of frosting did you use and do you have a recipe to go with it?

Cheers,
Lisa {http://www.dreamsandcaffeine.com}

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Lisa, thank you. That frosting is so easy *and* so good. It's a simple buttercream, but I think what makes it so good is that the bit of "thinning" liquid is heavy cream rather than the usual milk. So be sure to use heavy whipping cream. 1 stick unsalted butter, 1 pound powdered sugar, 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/8 teaspoon salt, about 5 tablespoons cream. Mix for about 5 minutes. It makes enough icing to fill and frost and pipe borders, etc.

Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies said...

What a smart idea! I always wish I would think of idea's like this in time for Christmas, and here you are sharing this in plenty of time!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

BRnLC, thank you! Yes, you have plenty of time -- four months!

April J Harris said...

I love this idea, Jean! What a great recipe - and it would make such a lovely gift too! I'm excited to give this a try. Thank you for sharing it with us at the Hearth and Soul Hop. Tweeted.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

April, I'm so glad you like it! Hope you can try it soon. Thanks for tweeting!

Rettabug said...

Jean, I need a "hostess" gift to take to the lake next week, so you can imagine how happy I was to come visit your beautiful blog & find this chocolate cake in a jar!
Thank you so very much for the idea & the recipe.

Now I'm off to explore more of your posts....with very pretty photos, BTW.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thank you so much, Rettabug! I hope your hostess enjoys the gift! I work hard on my limited photography skills so appreciate your comment very much.

Crystal Green from Sharing Life's Moments said...

This looks so delicious. It actually looks so good I want to get up and make it now, but it's not even 8 AM and no one is up. Plus, I have to teach my kids.

I didn't see homemade frosting recipe? Did I miss that?

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Crystal. Just look a few comments back here where I've given the frosting recipe in a response to Lisa. That frosting is so easy, but it always gets raves. The secret, I think, is the heavy cream.

Carlee said...

I have a thing for canning jars too and I aboslutely LOVE the idea of giving a homemade cake mix. I am doing this!!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Carlee. And I have a jar just like the one in your granola posts--can't wait to fill it with granola!

Dee | GrammysGrid.com said...

YUM! Thanks so much for linking up at A Themed Linkup 83 for Recipes in a Jar. Pinned!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks, Dee. Love that theme.

Dee | GrammysGrid.com said...

CONGRATS! Your post is FEATURED at A Themed Linkup 84 for What Do You Sell? from my previous linkup for Recipes in a Jar.

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Thanks so much, Dee! Have a wonderful long weekend!