Chocolate Sour Cream Cake (Doctored Cake Mix)
Oh how I love this Chocolate Sour Cream Cake (doctored cake mix) recipe! It is super easy, amazingly moist, and delicious! Nobody would guess that it started with a cake mix!
This decadent Chocolate Sour Cream Cake has a slightly dense and velvety texture which I absolutely love. This is probably why it tastes and looks so much like a scratch chocolate cake recipe. (By the way, you can find two of our favorite scratch chocolate cakes linked below!)
If you've been searching for the perfect doctored cake mix recipe for Chocolate Cake, you just cannot top this one! I've made it countless times and it always gets rave reviews!
This decadent Chocolate Sour Cream Cake not only tastes amazing, but it is versatile also. It has a nice density for holding up to fondant, and can even be used for designs that call for light carving.
Chocolate cupcakes can be made from this recipe also, but if you are looking for a fluffier cupcake with more of a dome, I highly recommend our other tried and true Doctored Chocolate Cake recipe.
Enjoy this Chocolate Sour Cream Cake recipe, I think you'll come back to it again and again!
Chocolate Sour Cream Cake- Doctored Mix
Nobody would believe that this decadent chocolate cake all starts with a simple mix!
Ingredients
- ** For a deeper chocolate taste you can add 1 tablespoon cocoa powder and replace the water with 1 cup hot strong brewed or instant coffee.
- 1 Devil's Food Cake Mix ( I sift the cake mix, but it is optional)
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup water (We usually replace the water with 1 cup of hot brewed or instant coffee, it enhances the chocolate flavor.)
- 3 whole eggs
- 2 ½ teaspoons vanilla
- ½ cup (108g) vegetable oil
Instructions
- In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients and stir or whisk to blend. In your mixing bowl, combine sour cream, oil, water, eggs, & flavorings. Add about ½ of the dry ingredients and blend together, then add the rest of the dry ingredients & mix on medium speed for 2 minutes.
- Pour into three 8 x 2 inch round pans that have been greased and floured. Bake at 325 degrees for 22-25 minutes or until the middle of cake springs back when touched or a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached.
- *This also works well for cupcakes! Bake cupcakes at 350 degrees for 18 to 20 minutes. Remove cupcakes from the pan immediately and cool on a baking rack.
Looking for a Scratch Version of Chocolate Sour Cream Cake?
Guess what? We have a fantastic homemade version of this Chocolate Sour Cream Cake too! It is soft, moist, and works great for both cakes and cupcakes! You can find it here!: Chocolate Sour Cream Cake from scratch. (The frosting used in the photo below is our Seven Minute Frosting- so light and fluffy!)
We have another scratch chocolate cake recipe to share. This classic chocolate cake has been a favorite over the years!
Classic Chocolate Cake from Scratch.
Thanks for stopping by! Make sure to check out our Recipes Section for a full listing of our FAVORITE tried and true cake and frosting recipes!!
If you love this Chocolate Sour Cream Cake, don't miss it's sister recipe, the fabulous White Almond Sour Cream Cake (doctored cake mix recipe)! So many cakes to try, so little time! I think that you will love them both!
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Hi Jodie, yes anytime there is a cake mix in the recipe we sift it.
Has anyone used instant espresso to make the strong coffee?
Hi Fran, I think it would be fine to use instant espresso
Thank you, BeBe!
I made this cake using Duncan Hines Dark Chocolate Fudge cake mix. OMGoodness YUMMY YUMMY YUMMY!!! I added 1 TBLS cocoa powder because I love a rich chocolate cake and it was delicious!! Perfect chocolate cake.
Hi Amy, that is great, thanks for posting!
I would like to make 2 - 8" rounds. How much batter do you recommend I use in each pan?
Hi Fran, I usually fill my pans about 2/3's full, that is probably around 3 cups.
You might like to look at this Wilton chart,
Thank you!
Have you ever used this recipe with a red velvet cake mix?
Hi Melissa and BeBe,
I know this has nothing to do with this post, but I also knew that if I wanted an accurate answer you guys would be the people to ask! How long do frosted cupcakes stay fresh, in an airtight container? If that isn't the best way to keep them, then what do you recommend, I would rather not have to freeze them.
Thank You!!
Want to make this in a clear glass bowl for a r2d2 head but can never figure out the right timing? How long would you suggest baking this in clear glass bowl and on same temp? Thanks,Deanna