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Whip up Paula Deen’s chocolate cake — a moist, fudgy Southern classic made with pantry staples and topped with the silkiest chocolate frosting you’ve ever had!

If you are a lover of all things Paula Deen, be sure to check out the recipes of hers that I have tested, like Paula Deen’s Grilled Potatoes, Paula Deen's House Seasoning Mix, or Paula Deen’s Puff Pastry Burgers.

A Slice of Southern Comfort

When it comes to comfort desserts, no one does it quite like Paula Deen — and her Chocolate Cake recipe proves just that. Moist, rich, and deeply chocolatey, this old-fashioned Southern favorite is the kind of dessert that feels like a warm hug from grandma’s kitchen.

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just need a little pick-me-up, Paula’s chocolate cake is pure indulgence on a plate.

Why We Love This Cake

This isn’t your everyday chocolate cake. Paula Deen’s version is:

• Ultra moist thanks to buttermilk and a touch of oil
• Easy to make with ingredients you probably already have
• Perfectly balanced — not too sweet, not too bitter
• Topped with an irresistible homemade frosting that’s silky smooth and loaded with cocoa flavor

It’s the kind of dessert that disappears fast at potlucks, birthdays, and Sunday dinners.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup butter (2 sticks)
• 1 cup water
• 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the frosting:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 4 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 6 tbsp milk
• 1 (16-oz) box powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

How to Make It

Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Step 2: Make the Batter
In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt.

In a saucepan, combine butter, water, and cocoa powder. Bring it just to a boil, stirring until smooth. Pour this hot mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until combined.

Add in buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla, mixing until the batter is smooth and glossy.

Step 3: Bake
Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 4: Make the Frosting
While the cake is baking, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the cocoa and milk, whisking until smooth. Remove from heat, then beat in powdered sugar and vanilla until creamy.

Before I spread the frosting, I like to poke holes in my cake to let some of that silky frosting go down into the cake. It is pure heaven.

Spread the frosting over the warm cake — it’ll melt slightly and create that signature glossy finish.

Serving Tips

Serve this cake slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. It’s also delicious chilled straight from the fridge the next day (if it lasts that long!).

Final Thoughts

Paula Deen’s Chocolate Cake is everything we love about Southern baking — simple ingredients, full flavor, and a touch of nostalgia. Whether you’re baking it for your family or bringing it to a potluck, it’s guaranteed to steal the show.

Recipes to Celebrate Choctoberfest

• Chocolate Freakshake from Creative Cynchronicity
• Dark Chocolate Pannacotta with Mango Coulis from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
• Hot Fudge Sauce from Art of Natural LIving
• Silky Chocolate Cheesecake from That Recipe
• Tofu Chocolate Mousse from Karen's Kitchen Stories

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