Old-Fashioned Chocolate Cake with Boiled Frosting

Some recipes are more than just delicious—they’re a piece of family history. This old-fashioned chocolate cake, lovingly passed down from my mother, Marlene Stevens, is one of those treasured gems. Made from scratch with simple pantry staples, it’s rich, moist, and topped with a boiled chocolate frosting that adds a decadent finish. Every bite brings back memories of family gatherings and the comforting aroma of cake baking in the oven.

This recipe has stood the test of time as a family favorite, and it’s easy to see why. The combination of cocoa, sour milk, and boiling water creates a perfectly tender cake, while the boiled frosting adds a nostalgic touch of fudgy sweetness. Whether you’re baking it for a celebration or just to treat yourself, this cake is sure to become a cherished tradition in your kitchen too.

Marlene's Old-Fashioned Chocolate Cake with Boiled Frosting

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Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 6 Tbsp cocoa
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sour milk (add 1 Tbsp vinegar to sour it)
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup boiling water
• Chocolate Frosting:
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup cocoa
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 tsp vanilla

Instructions

1. Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, salt & cocoa.
2. Add eggs, sour milk, vegetable oil & vanilla.
3. Mix well, then pour 1 cup boiling water over all and mix well again.
4. Pour into a greased & floured 9x13 pan.
5. Bake @ 350 for about 40 minutes.
6. When cool, frost with boiled chocolate frosting.

Notes

To make Frosting:

Combine sugar, milk, cocoa & butter in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and continue to boil 1 minute. Remove from heat, add vanilla, and cool slightly.