Old Fashioned Butter Cake with Boiled Chocolate Icing
Nothing says comfort like a slice of warm, homemade butter cake topped with glossy boiled chocolate icing. This Southern baking recipe is rich, moist, and layered with nostalgia — a cake that feels like it came straight from grandma’s kitchen. Perfect for family gatherings, birthdays, holiday desserts, or any special occasion, this classic comfort food is both indulgent and timeless.
Whether you’re looking for a foolproof chocolate cake recipe or simply want to recreate the flavors of your childhood, this butter cake delivers every time
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Moist & Buttery: A tender crumb thanks to real butter and rich milk.
- Decadent Chocolate Icing: The boiled frosting creates a fudgy, shiny glaze that soaks into the cake.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: From Sunday dinners to potlucks, this cake fits every dessert table.
- Budget-Friendly Ingredients: Everyday pantry staples, no fancy tools required.
Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowls (large & medium)
- Hand mixer or stand mixer
- Measuring cups & spoons
- 2 × 9x13-inch cake pans (or similar)
- Sifter for flour
- Saucepan (for icing)
- Wire rack for cooling
- Toothpick (to check doneness)
Ingredients
For the Butter Cake
- 4 cups White Lily all-purpose flour, sifted
- 2 ½ cups granulated sugar (extra fine if possible)
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon butter extract
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 5 large eggs
- Bakers Joy baking spray (or butter/flour for greasing pans)
For the Boiled Chocolate Icing
- 3 cups granulated sugar (extra fine)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick, no substitutes)
- ⅓ cup + 1 tablespoon Hershey’s cocoa powder
- 10 oz Carnation evaporated milk (do not substitute)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep & Preheat
Preheat oven to 350°F (325°F if using dark-coated pans). Grease and flour two 9x13-inch pans with Bakers Joy or butter/flour.
2. Make the Cake Batter
- Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream butter in a large bowl until fluffy.
- Alternate adding dry mix and milk to butter, beginning and ending with dry mix.
- Beat in butter extract and vanilla extract.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well. Batter should be smooth and slightly thick.
3. Bake the Cake
- Pour evenly into pans.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool slightly before icing.
4. Make the Boiled Chocolate Icing
- In a saucepan, combine sugar, butter, cocoa, and evaporated milk.
- Stir constantly over medium heat until sugar dissolves.
- Bring to a boil, continue gently boiling for 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat, stir in vanilla.
5. Ice the Cake
- Pour warm icing over the slightly warm cake layers.
- Spread evenly — the icing will set into a fudgy glaze.
- Let cool fully before slicing.
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Old Fashioned Butter Cake with Boiled Chocolate Icing
Nothing says comfort like a slice of warm, homemade butter cake topped with glossy boiled chocolate icing. This Southern baking recipe is rich, moist, and layered with nostalgia
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two 9x13-inch pans.
- Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, salt. Cream butter.
- Alternate dry mix and milk into butter. Add extracts. Beat in eggs one at a time.
- Bake 40–45 mins, toothpick test clean.
- For icing: Combine sugar, butter, cocoa, evaporated milk in saucepan. Boil 5 mins, stir in vanilla.
- Pour icing over warm cake. Cool, slice, and serve.
Notes
🔹 Swap almond extract for a nutty twist.
🔹 For an extra-rich version, replace half the milk with heavy cream.
🔹 Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the icing for crunch.
🔹 Serve with ice cream or whipped cream for a restaurant-style dessert.