Best 7 Grandma Helen Searles Never Fail Chocolate Cake Recipes

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Indulge in a delectable chocolate cake experience with Grandma Helen Searles's Never-Fail Chocolate Cake. This classic recipe, passed down through generations, promises a moist, rich, and flavorful cake that will satisfy your sweet cravings. Accompanying this timeless recipe are variations that cater to diverse tastes and dietary preferences, including a gluten-free and vegan version. Whether you prefer a traditional chocolate cake, a decadent lava cake, or a healthier alternative, this article has you covered. Embark on a culinary journey with Grandma Helen's cherished recipes and create unforgettable chocolatey moments.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

GREAT GRANDMA YOUNG'S HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE CAKE



Great Grandma Young's Homemade Chocolate Cake image

This old-fashioned chocolate cake is made with staple pantry ingredients so you can whip it up whenever a chocolate craving hits. It reminds us of the wacky cakes from the Depression Era. The cake is tender with fantastic chocolate flavor. On top is a chocolate cream cheese frosting that adds richness to the cake. We had just...

Provided by Ted Wildman

Categories     Cakes

Time 45m

Number Of Ingredients 17

3 c all-purpose flour
2 c sugar, white
1/3 c baking cocoa
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 c water
3/4 c I use vegetable oil or coconut oil (updated from original)
2 tsp vanilla extract, I use pure and a tad less on measure
2 tsp vinegar
MY CHOCOLATE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
1 pkg cream cheese, softened (8 oz)
1/4 c butter, you can use margarine in a pinch but use butter!
2 c confectioners' sugar
1/3 c bakers cocoa (I love Hershey's but use what you like)
dash(es) salt
3 Tbsp milk
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Steps:

  • 1. In a mixing bowl combine the dry ingredients (The first five.)
  • 2. Add the water, oil, vanilla, and vinegar.
  • 3. Mix well (batter will be thin).
  • 4. Pour into a greased 13x9x2 inch pan or 2 9-inch round cake pans. Bake at 350 for 25 to 30 minutes. Cool completely.
  • 5. Once the cake has cooled make the frosting. For frosting, in a mixing bowl mix cream cheese, butter, and powdered sugar together until creamy.
  • 6. Add cocoa, salt, vanilla, and milk. Mix until creamy. Then frost your cooled cake and enjoy!
  • 7. NOTE: For the frosting, sometimes I melt the butter and mix it with wet ingredients in a bowl prior to adding it to the mixer. I found it makes it come out fantastic!

GRANDMA'S CHOCOLATE CAKE



Grandma's Chocolate Cake image

My grandma made this delicious cake for me throughout the years on my birthday. It's wonderful for chocolate lovers!-Dorothy Eagen, Allentown, Pennsylvania

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h10m

Yield 12-16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 18

1/2 cup shortening
1-1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup hot water
CHOCOLATE FUDGE FROSTING:
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1 tablespoon butter
1-1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup water
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 to 2 tablespoons half-and-half cream

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk and hot water, beating well after each addition. , Pour into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack., For frosting, melt chocolate and butter in a saucepan. Add the sugar, water and cream of tartar. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook and stir until a candy thermometer reads 240° (soft-ball stage). Remove from the heat. Cool completely, without stirring, about 1 hour. Add vanilla; beat until thickened. Add cream; beat until smooth. Frost cake.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 297 calories, Fat 9g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 30mg cholesterol, Sodium 210mg sodium, Carbohydrate 52g carbohydrate (37g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

GRANDMA'S CHOCOLATE TEXAS SHEET CAKE



Grandma's Chocolate Texas Sheet Cake image

This is hands-down my all-time favorite cake! I fell in love making it after my grandmother shared the recipe with me. This cake is super quick, easy, and fun to make! Definitely recommend this for first time bakers and anyone else who would love to take a bite out of a delicious chocolate Texas sheet cake.

Provided by Bekah Miller

Categories     Desserts     Cakes     Sheet Cake Recipes

Time 45m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 cup salted butter
1 cup water
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups white sugar
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup buttermilk
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup unsalted butter
6 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 10x15-inch cake pan.
  • Combine butter, water, and cocoa powder for cake in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook until butter has melted and mixture comes to a boil. Remove from the heat and cool slightly.
  • Meanwhile, mix flour, sugar, and salt together in a large bowl. Beat buttermilk, eggs, baking soda, and vanilla extract together in a separate bowl.
  • Add melted butter mixture to the flour mixture, then add buttermilk-egg mixture and beat until thoroughly combined. Pour into the prepared cake pan.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Remove cake from the oven and cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, combine butter, milk, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract for the frosting in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until butter melts, then stir in powdered sugar. Spread frosting over the warm cake.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 258.8 calories, Carbohydrate 36.3 g, Cholesterol 46.5 mg, Fat 12.3 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 2.3 g, SaturatedFat 7.6 g, Sodium 169.6 mg, Sugar 27.4 g

GRANDMA'S CHICKEN CASSEROLE



Grandma's Chicken Casserole image

From Grandma Smith. From this recipe, I make one large casserole and one 8-inch round casserole. I think the recipe could be halved easily, but when making for myself, I freeze one casserole for later use. Freezes well.

Provided by kellyclark82

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Chicken Breast Recipes

Time 1h5m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 11

4 large skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
water to cover
1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 (15 ounce) cans mixed vegetables (such as Veg-All®), drained
2 (10.5 ounce) cans cream of chicken soup
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
1 (8 ounce) can sliced water chestnuts, drained
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 sleeve buttery round crackers (such as Ritz®), crushed
2 tablespoons butter, cubed, or to taste

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
  • Place chicken breasts in a large pot; cover with water. Season with salt and pepper and bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover, and simmer until chicken is no longer pink in the center, about 15 minutes. Drain and let cool, 5 to 10 minutes. Chop into small pieces.
  • Mix chicken, canned vegetables, chicken soup, sour cream, water chestnuts, onion, and Cheddar cheese in a large bowl. Pour into a large baking dish. Sprinkle crushed crackers over the top and dot with butter.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until the filling starts to bubble and the topping browns, about 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 365.4 calories, Carbohydrate 22.1 g, Cholesterol 79.6 mg, Fat 19.5 g, Fiber 4.2 g, Protein 24.8 g, SaturatedFat 8.9 g, Sodium 839 mg, Sugar 2.3 g

NEVER-FAIL BUTTERMILK-CHOCOLATE CAKE



Never-Fail Buttermilk-Chocolate Cake image

Grandma Emogene's recipe for a buttermilk-chocolate cake.

Provided by Karen B

Categories     Desserts     Cakes     Chocolate Cake Recipes

Time 45m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 10

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups white sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup buttermilk
⅔ cup cocoa
2 large eggs, beaten
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup boiling water

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a 10x15-inch baking pan.
  • Combine flour, sugar, oil, buttermilk, cocoa, eggs, baking soda, vanilla extract, and salt in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Add boiling water and mix well. Pour into the prepared baking pan.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Increase oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and continue to bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 more minutes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 333.8 calories, Carbohydrate 45.8 g, Cholesterol 23.9 mg, Fat 15.1 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 4.4 g, SaturatedFat 2.1 g, Sodium 328.4 mg, Sugar 25.9 g

NEVER FAIL CHOCOLATE CAKE



Never Fail Chocolate Cake image

This cake is from the 40 and 50's My mother-in-law, Ruth Hinz, taught me to make this when I was newly married. It is so moist and dense--yummmy!

Provided by Evalyn Hinz

Categories     Dessert

Time 40m

Yield 1 2layer cake or sheet cake

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 egg
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup sour milk (you can sour sweet milk by adding 1 tsp. vinegar)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup boiling water

Steps:

  • Put all ingredients in a bowl (don't mix till last item has been added).
  • Pour into greased cake pan (can be made layer or sheet cake).
  • Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.
  • When cooled spread with your favorite frosting.

GRANNY'S CHOCOLATE CAKE



Granny's Chocolate Cake image

This cake recipe was adapted from the chef Larry Forgione, who served his grandmother's cake recipe at his restaurant An American Place. The dessert proved so popular that every time he tried to take it off of the menu, he said his customers threatened to riot. It's a perfect proportion of crumb to buttercream, ideal for birthdays or other celebrations where layer cake is required.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories     cakes, dessert

Time 1h30m

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

Butter and flour for preparing pans
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
11 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted
Chocolate frosting (see recipe)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter 3 9-inch round cake pans, and line the bottoms with wax or parchment paper. Lightly butter the paper. Dust pans with flour, and shake out excess.
  • Sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In a small bowl, combine buttermilk and vanilla.
  • In a large bowl, using an electric mixer set at medium-high speed, cream the butter. Slowly add the sugar, and continue beating until well blended and light colored. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add dry ingredients alternately with the buttermilk mixture in 2 or 3 additions, beating well after each addition. Beat in the melted chocolate until well blended. Spoon batter into prepared pans, and smooth tops with a rubber spatula.
  • Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center of a cake layer comes out clean. Let cake layers cool in the pans on wire racks for 10 minutes, then invert onto other racks and peel off the paper. Invert again, and let cool completely on the racks. Frost with chocolate frosting.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 459, UnsaturatedFat 7 grams, Carbohydrate 60 grams, Fat 22 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 7 grams, SaturatedFat 13 grams, Sodium 309 milligrams, Sugar 32 grams, TransFat 1 gram

Tips:

  • Use the right ingredients: Make sure to use high-quality ingredients, especially the chocolate. The better the chocolate, the better the cake will be.
  • Follow the recipe carefully: Don't skip any steps or substitute ingredients unless you know what you're doing. This is especially important for baking, as the proportions of ingredients are crucial.
  • Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing can make the cake tough. Mix the batter only until the ingredients are well combined.
  • Bake the cake in a preheated oven: This helps to ensure that the cake bakes evenly.
  • Let the cake cool completely before frosting it: This will help to prevent the frosting from melting.

Conclusion:

Grandma Helen Searles' Never Fail Chocolate Cake is a classic recipe that is sure to please everyone. It's moist, chocolatey, and delicious. With a few simple tips, you can make this cake perfectly every time. So next time you're in the mood for a chocolate cake, give this recipe a try. You won't be disappointed.

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