Bring Back the Classics: Old-Fashioned Butter Cake with Boiled Chocolate Icing Recipe for Dessert

Photo bythe savory secrets society

There’s something special about old-fashioned recipes. They bring back memories of warm kitchens, family gatherings, and the comforting flavors that have stood the test of time. One such timeless dessert is the Old-Fashioned Butter Cake with Boiled Chocolate Icing. This cake is not only rich and buttery but also topped with a delicious layer of smooth, chocolaty goodness, making it a crowd-pleaser at any event.

The Old-Fashioned Butter Cake is a throwback to simpler times when desserts were made from scratch with love and attention to detail. This cake's soft and fluffy texture, paired with the deep, luscious taste of boiled chocolate icing, is truly a combination that speaks to the heart. It’s the kind of cake that your grandmother might have made for Sunday dinners or special celebrations.

The beauty of this cake lies in its simplicity. It uses pantry staples like flour, sugar, butter, and eggs, combined in a way that creates a magical dessert. The key to its success, however, is the boiled chocolate icing, which is cooked to perfection until it reaches a thick, smooth consistency that coats the cake beautifully. Together, these two elements create a dessert that is irresistible.

Recipe: Old-Fashioned Butter Cake with Boiled Chocolate Icing

Cake Ingredients:

• 4 cups White Lily all-purpose flour, sifted
• 2 1/2 cups Dixie Crystals extra fine granulated sugar
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon butter extract
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 5 large eggs
• Bakers Joy baking spray

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (325°F if using dark-coated pans).
2. Prepare four 9-inch x 2-inch baking pans by spraying them with Baker’s Joy or greasing them well, then set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the softened butter, milk, butter extract, and vanilla extract.
4. Using a hand whisk, beat the mixture for 2-3 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
5. Add the eggs and continue beating for another 2-3 minutes until the batter is smooth and well combined.
6. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans.
7. Bake the cakes for 24-28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Afterward, turn them out onto a cooling rack or parchment paper to cool completely before icing.

Boiled Chocolate Icing Ingredients:

• 3 cups Dixie Crystals extra fine granulated sugar
• 1 stick unsalted butter (do not substitute)
• 1/3 cup + 1 tablespoon Hershey’s cocoa powder
• 10 oz. Carnation evaporated milk (do not substitute)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Icing Instructions:

1. In a clean, dry heavy 4-quart saucepan, whisk together the sugar and cocoa powder, breaking up any lumps.
2. Gradually whisk in the evaporated milk and place the pan over medium heat. Add the butter while continuing to whisk the mixture.
3. Bring the mixture to a full rolling boil, then reduce the heat slightly to maintain a gentle boil. Stir constantly until the icing sticks to the back of a spoon, indicating that it’s thick enough to use.
4. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Once the cakes have completely cooled, ice between the layers, as well as the sides and top of the cake with the boiled chocolate icing.

The Finishing Touch

The Old-Fashioned Butter Cake with Boiled Chocolate Icing is more than just a dessert; it’s a slice of history. The buttery layers of the cake paired with the rich, silky chocolate icing create a classic flavor that everyone will love. Whether you’re baking this cake for a special occasion or just to enjoy with family and friends, it’s sure to become a favorite in your household. Each bite offers a deliciously nostalgic taste of traditional baking at its finest.

The Old-Fashioned Butter Cake with Boiled Chocolate Icing is a true classic dessert that brings back memories of comforting, homemade treats. This cake’s buttery layers, made from staple ingredients like flour, sugar, and eggs, are wonderfully rich and fluffy. The key to its nostalgic flavor lies in its preparation, where simple, timeless ingredients come together for a soft, moist cake.

The real highlight, though, is the boiled chocolate icing, a rare treat these days. It’s made by bringing sugar, cocoa, milk, and butter to a rolling boil and then whisking it into a glossy, fudge-like consistency. The result is a smooth and rich chocolate icing that coats the cake beautifully. This style of icing creates a slightly firm texture that sets as it cools, adding a delightful contrast to the soft cake layers beneath​(Southern Plate)​(Dixie Crystals).

Boiled chocolate icing has a history of being used on a variety of desserts, especially those passed down through generations, like sheet cakes and layer cakes​(Southern Plate)​(NellieBellie). This recipe is the perfect balance of simplicity and indulgence, making it ideal for family gatherings or special occasions.

If you're looking for more details, you can find similar recipes and inspiration from Southern Plate​(Southern Plate) or Dixie Crystals​(Dixie Crystals).