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!
Thanks for stopping by! Don't miss our full collection of FAVORITE Cake and Frosting Recipes in our Recipes section!
I use this recipe with a few minor adjustments. I'll usually replace the water with coffee, but if I don't have coffee I'll use water and instant espresso powder. I also use Duncan Hines Dark Chocolate Fudge cake mix and add a couple tablespoons of cocoa. Oh. My. Word! Makes for a dense, fudgy, yummy cake!
Thanks so much for the feedback-- great idea to substitute coffee...and the fudge cake mix sounds fabulous too! xoxo
You have wonderful recipes
I made this cake a few days ago and it's not only the best cake I've ever made it's the best cake I've ever eaten!! Moist, tender, flavorful and simply delicious! Thank you for sharing the recipe!
@Judy- Thank you!
@Deb- I am thrilled to hear it! It is definitely one of favorites too! Wish I had a slice right now ;0) xo
Hi Melissa and Bebe I need your help, I always make this cake and people love it but I have a friend that wants me to make it and she said it has to be peanut free the problem
Is that I don't know if the Betty Crocker cake mix that is the one that I always use is peanut free. Do you know if it is ? Thanks
Hi Bequi, I cannot remember but the box should indicate if it is nut free. You could also double check by calling the customer service number on their box.
Hi. I read your comment about the oil not needed because of the sour cream. What will happen if you do add oil to the mix? Also the Oreo buttercream recipe calls for salt, but I didn't see when in the recipe to add the salt. So, I added it in with the sugar. Did I over look the "add salt" step in the recipe?
Thank you,
Michelle
Hi Michelle, The oil should add additional moistness to the recipe, I think it would be fine to add a small amount, possibly 2 Tablespoons. Also, the salt in the buttercream recipe is optional. It is added to cut the sweetness of the recipe. It is fine to add with the sugar. It is best to use popcorn salt, if possible, because it is a finer grain than regular salt and will dissolve more quickly.
Thank you. I just didn't see in the instructions when to add the salt.
I appreciate your help.
Michelle
Hi, just found your site today and I'm in love.? I just have one question...we don't drink coffe don't even own a coffe pot as we are not fans at ALL, I know, weird. Haha. Could I replace the water with 1 cup of milk or perhaps 1/2 water and 1/2 milk for a little more moist/richer cake? Oh, 1 more question lol which recipe would you suggest as far as moister/similar to the texture of the cakes with pudding this one or your mayo chipc cake? I remember my grandmother had a scratch recipe for "mayo choc cake" years ago, I think it called for 1 cup of mayo, I believe?!
Anyway, very nice informative site look forward to your reply!
Tracey
Chocolate not chip!