By Becky Hardin
Updated May 1, 2025
This Black Magic Cake is a take on Hershey’s black magic chocolate cake and it’s one of the best cakes ever! Perfectly moist chocolate cake covered in the best white icing. This. Is. Sublime.
5-Star Review
“This is the best chocolate cake I’ve ever eaten!” -Kelly
Black Magic Cake Recipe
This Black Magic Cake is a chocolate lover’s dream. Simple and straightforward, this is one of those chocolate desserts that everyone will love. Coffee enhances the chocolate flavor, and buttermilk helps make this chocolate cake super moist.
The Black Magic Chocolate Cake is originally from Hershey’s. In their words it’s “a moist and magical buttermilk chocolate cake recipe that will have your friends demanding seconds.” And they aren’t wrong! It’s everything a great chocolate cake should be—moist, bursting with chocolate flavor, and easy to make. Maybe that’s why it’s called black magic, something this delicious shouldn’t be this simple to pull together.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1¾ cups all-purpose flour 210 grams
- ▢ 2 cups granulated sugar 400 grams
- ▢ ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 63 grams
- ▢ 2 teaspoons baking soda 12 grams
- ▢ 1 teaspoon baking powder 4 grams
- ▢ 1 teaspoon kosher salt 3 grams
- ▢ 1 cup buttermilk 227 grams, room temperature
- ▢ ½ cup vegetable oil 100 grams
- ▢ 2 large eggs 100 grams, room temperature
- ▢ 1 egg white 35 grams, room temperature
- ▢ 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 grams
- ▢ 1 cup freshly brewed strong hot coffee 227 grams (or 2 teaspoons powdered espresso powder mixed with 1 cup boiling water)
- ▢ White Icing Click for our favorite recipe or try Chocolate Buttercream Frosting .
Video
Instructions
- Adjust oven rack to the middle position and heat to 350°F. Spray your chosen baking pan(s) with nonstick baking spray.
- Sift together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat with the paddle attachment on low speed, just until combined. Be careful not to overmix. Heavy mixing hand leads to tough cake textures. 1¾ cups all-purpose flour, 2 cups granulated sugar, ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- In a different bowl combine buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla. 1 cup buttermilk, ½ cup vegetable oil, 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 1 egg white
- Return the mixer to low speed and slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Mix about 15-20 seconds just until ingredients are incorporated.
- Add the coffee and stir, on low speed, just until combined. 1 cup freshly brewed strong hot coffee
- Pour the cake batter (it will be very thin) into the cake pan(s) and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Baking time for the 8-inch cake pans is 35-40 minutes, for the Bundt pan 50-55 minutes, and for the 13×9 pan 35-45 minutes.
- Top with your favorite icing. (Find our favorite favorite icing ). White Icing
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- 2 8-inch Round Cake Pan OR (Use shiny pans instead of dark pans)
- 9×13 Baking Pan OR (Use shiny pans instead of dark pans)
- 12-cup Bundt Pan (Use shiny pans instead of dark pans)
- Stand Mixer
Becky’s Tips
- Original cake recipe: Hershey Black Magic Cake
- Yield: Two (8-inch) round cake pans or one 13x9x2 or one 12-cup Bundt pan
- Substitute buttermilk with regular milk mixed with vinegar or lemon juice. Mix one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice with one cup of milk and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before using it in the recipe.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Black Magic Cake Step by Step
Get the oven and pan ready : Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350°F. Spray your chosen baking pan(s) with nonstick baking spray.
Sift dry ingredients : Sift together 1 3/4 cups flour, 2 cups granulated sugar, 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt into the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat with the paddle attachment on low speed, just until combined.
Combine wet ingredients : In a different bowl, combine 1 cup of buttermilk, 1/2 cup of oil, 1 egg white, and 1 teaspoon vanilla.
Add wet to dry ingredients: Return the mixer to low speed and slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Mix about 15-20 seconds just until ingredients are incorporated.
Stir in the coffee: Add 1 cup of freshly brewed strong hot coffee and stir, on low speed, just until combined.
Pour batter into pans: Pour the cake batter (it will be very thin) into the cake pan(s) and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Baking time for the 8-inch cake pans is 35-40 minutes, the Bundt pan 50-55 minutes, and for the 13×9 pan 35-45 minutes.
Top with icing and enjoy: Top with your favorite icing and enjoy.
Variations
This rich chocolate cake is great as is, but you can also combine it with other flavors to create a whole new experience. Try some of these variations:
- Mint: Add some peppermint extract to the batter and top with a layer of mint chocolate frosting for a refreshing twist.
- Peanut Butter: Mix some creamy peanut butter into the batter and top with a layer of peanut butter frosting for a rich and nutty flavor.
- Raspberry: Swirl some raspberry jam into the batter and top with a layer of cream cheese frosting for a fruity and tangy twist.
- Orange: Add some orange zest to the batter and top with a layer of chocolate ganache icing for a citrusy and decadent treat.
- Mocha: Mix some extra instant coffee or espresso powder into the batter and top with a layer of mocha frosting for a coffee-infused twist.
- S’mores: Top the cake with a layer of marshmallow frosting, sprinkle with graham cracker crumbs, and finish with a drizzle of melted chocolate for a campfire-inspired treat.
How to Store
Store Black Magic Cake in an airtight container or cake dome at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Enjoy at room temperature.
Freeze Black Magic Cake whole or cut into individual slices tightly wrapped in 2 layers of plastic wrap and 1 layer of aluminum foil for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
While I love this chocolate cake topped with my favorite white icing, it’s also delicious with a rich chocolate buttercream , an uber chocolaty chocolate fudge frosting , or if you want something really decadent, stabilized whipped cream . I sometimes like to add a touch of chocolate syrup or, for a change of pace, caramel sauce to take it to the next level.
more chocolate cake recipes we love
German Chocolate Cake Recipe
Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Frosting
Texas Sheet Cake
Chocolate Pound Cake
Black Magic Cake Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- 2 8-inch Round Cake Pan OR (Use shiny pans instead of dark pans)
- 9x13 Baking Pan OR (Use shiny pans instead of dark pans)
- 12-cup Bundt Pan (Use shiny pans instead of dark pans)
- Stand Mixer
Ingredients
- 1¾ cups all-purpose flour 210 grams
- 2 cups granulated sugar 400 grams
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 63 grams
- 2 teaspoons baking soda 12 grams
- 1 teaspoon baking powder 4 grams
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt 3 grams
- 1 cup buttermilk 227 grams, room temperature
- ½ cup vegetable oil 100 grams
- 2 large eggs 100 grams, room temperature
- 1 egg white 35 grams, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 grams
- 1 cup freshly brewed strong hot coffee 227 grams (or 2 teaspoons powdered espresso powder mixed with 1 cup boiling water)
- White Icing Click for our favorite recipe or try Chocolate Buttercream Frosting .
Instructions
- Adjust oven rack to the middle position and heat to 350°F. Spray your chosen baking pan(s) with nonstick baking spray.
- Sift together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat with the paddle attachment on low speed, just until combined. Be careful not to overmix. Heavy mixing hand leads to tough cake textures. 1¾ cups all-purpose flour, 2 cups granulated sugar, ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- In a different bowl combine buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla. 1 cup buttermilk, ½ cup vegetable oil, 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 1 egg white
- Return the mixer to low speed and slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Mix about 15-20 seconds just until ingredients are incorporated.
- Add the coffee and stir, on low speed, just until combined. 1 cup freshly brewed strong hot coffee
- Pour the cake batter (it will be very thin) into the cake pan(s) and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Baking time for the 8-inch cake pans is 35-40 minutes, for the Bundt pan 50-55 minutes, and for the 13x9 pan 35-45 minutes.
- Top with your favorite icing. (Find our favorite favorite icing ). White Icing
Video
Notes
- Original cake recipe: Hershey Black Magic Cake
- Yield: Two (8-inch) round cake pans or one 13x9x2 or one 12-cup Bundt pan
- Substitute buttermilk with regular milk mixed with vinegar or lemon juice. Mix one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice with one cup of milk and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before using it in the recipe.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
