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Chocolate Loaf Cake

A rich and moist chocolate loaf cake, perfect for any time of the day. This recipe ensures a tender crumb and deep chocolate flavor with simple ingredients and techniques.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Cake

  • 1.5 cups All-Purpose Flour Provides the structure.
  • 0.75 cups Unsweetened Cocoa Powder Use 'Dutch-processed' for a darker, smoother flavor.
  • 1 cup Granulated Sugar For sweetness and moisture.
  • 0.5 cups Light Brown Sugar The molasses in brown sugar adds a chewy richness.
  • 1 tsp Baking Powder Our lifting agent.
  • 0.5 tsp Baking Soda Our lifting agent.
  • 0.5 tsp Salt To balance the sugar.
  • 0.75 cups Sour Cream (or Full-Fat Greek Yogurt) The secret to the moisture.
  • 0.5 cups Vegetable Oil Keeps the cake softer than butter would.
  • 2 large Eggs To bind everything together.
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract A must for any chocolate dessert.
  • 0.5 cups Hot Coffee (or Hot Water) Enhances the cocoa flavor.

For the Chocolate Ganache (Optional but Highly Recommended)

  • 0.5 cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips For the ganache.
  • 0.25 cups Heavy Cream For the ganache.

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides.
  • In a large bowl, sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk in granulated and brown sugars until smooth.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk eggs, vegetable oil, sour cream, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  • Pour wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula until just combined without overmixing.
  • Slowly pour in the hot coffee (or water) and whisk gently until the batter is glossy and smooth.

Baking

  • Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50 to 60 minutes. Start checking at 50 minutes by inserting a wooden skewer into the center.

Cooling and Glazing

  • Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes before lifting it out using the parchment paper. While it cools completely, make the ganache by heating cream and pouring over chocolate chips. Stir until smooth and pour over the cooled cake.

Notes

Don't skip the sifting of cocoa powder. For variations, try adding chocolate chips, orange zest, nuts, or salted caramel.
Keyword Baking, Chocolate Loaf Cake, Dessert Recipe