Skip to main content

Indulge in Tradition: Grandma Ball’s Old-Fashioned Chocolate Cake Recipe

Indulge in Tradition: Grandma Ball’s Old-Fashioned Chocolate Cake Recipe

There’s something truly special about a classic chocolate cake, especially when it’s crafted with love and time-honored recipes passed down through generations. Grandma Ball’s Old-Fashioned Chocolate Cake is a testament to those warm, nostalgic moments in the kitchen, where every bite transports you back to simpler times. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply craving a rich, decadent dessert, this cake promises to delight your senses and satisfy your sweet tooth.

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • All-purpose flour – 1 ½ cups
  • Granulated sugar – 1 ¼ cups
  • Sifted cocoa powder – ½ cup
  • Chocolate Jell-O Pudding – 1 large box
  • Baking powder – 1 teaspoon
  • Baking soda – 1 teaspoon
  • Salt – 1 small pinch
  • Softened butter – ½ cup
  • Eggs – 3-4 (depending on the size).
  • Vanilla extract – 1 1/2 teaspoons
  • Hot water – 1 cup

Pro tip: Using high-quality cocoa powder will significantly enhance the chocolate flavor—don’t skimp on this essential ingredient!

Preparing the Cake Batter

Follow these simple steps to create a luscious, velvety batter:

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour your cake pan for easy removal.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, sifted cocoa powder, chocolate Jell-O pudding mix, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  • Add the softened butter and eggs to the dry ingredients. Using an electric mixer or whisk, beat on medium speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
  • Stir in the vanilla extract for that warm, fragrant note.
  • Gradually add the hot water, mixing continuously.
  • Pour the batter evenly into your prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.

Baking and Cooling

Once your batter is ready, it’s time to bake:

  • Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 30-35 minutes.
  • Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center; it should come out clean.
  • Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.


Patience is key—wait until the cake is fully cooled before frosting to prevent melting or sliding.


Frosting with Grandma Ball’s Southern Chocolate Frosting

Once your cake has cooled, it’s time to indulge in the signature Grandmother’s frosting that elevates this cake to a new level of decadence:

Note: My Grandma Ball's Frosting is in a separate post that will be published either before or right after this post.

Spread Grandma Ball’s Old-fashioned Chocolate Frosting over the top, then finish frosting the sides of the cake.

This frosting isn’t just delicious—its rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture and deep chocolate flavor make every bite a nostalgic delight. The secret to its exceptional taste lies in its simple yet effective ingredients, crafted with the loving touch that Grandma Ball always used.

Serving Suggestions and Tips

For the best experience:

  • Serve slices at room temperature to maximize flavor and texture.
  • Pair with a cold glass of milk or a cup of your favorite coffee.
  • Decorate with fresh berries or a dusting of powdered sugar for a festive touch.
  • Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving for optimal flavor.

Whether you’re an experienced baker or a home cook looking to recreate a family favorite, Grandma Ball’s Old-Fashioned Chocolate Cake offers a timeless taste that’s sure to bring smiles and sweet memories to your table. So, gather your ingredients, follow the steps, and enjoy a slice of history—made with love and a touch of tradition.

Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Homemade Fresca Soda

Make Your Own Fresca Soda at Home! Hey there! If you're like me and love Diet Fresca but can't find it in stores anymore, don't worry! I've got a recipe for a homemade version that tastes almost like the real thing. Let's get started! Ingredients: 1 Ruby Red grapefruit, seeded and juiced. Save the peels for steeping 1 lime, seeded and juiced 1 lemon, seeded and juiced 2 teaspoons of Splenda, or your preferred sweetener 1 bottle of sparkling water Instructions: First, chill your sparkling water in the fridge. Peel the outer skin of the grapefruit, lime, and lemon using a vegetable peeler. Make sure to only use the colored part, not the white part. Steep the citrus peels in hot boiling water to extract the oils. Let it cool and strain out the peels. Squeeze the juice from the grapefruit, lime, and lemon using a juicer. Remove any seeds and strain the juice if needed. Combine the fresh squeezed juice with Splenda in a tumbler. Adjust the sweetness to your l...
Read more

Vegetables that contain protein

Vegetables that contain protein If food prices have you scrambling down the aisles of the grocery store trying to find something that's more affordable than meat but still has protein, know that you're not alone! Back in the days when my grandparents went through the Great Depression, it was really tough times, but they survived through the hardships by growing their own food. There are a lot of veggies that actually do contain protein, and they're packed full of additional nutrients that our bodies all need. Vegetables highest in protein: Vegetables high in protein include artichokes, asparagus, beans, bean sprouts, and beans in general: broccoli, Brussel sprouts, chickpeas, green peas, kale, mushrooms, mustard greens, spinach, sweet corn, and turnip greens. For a few examples: Black beans contain 15 grams of protein in just a 1-cup serving. In fact, a 1/2 cup of cooked beans provides close to 7 grams of protein, which is the same as eating one ounce of meat. As for collar...
Read more

Cook With Gin Lee

What's the difference between griddle cakes, pancakes, hot cakes, skillet cakes, and flapjacks? Have you ever pondered the question, what's the difference between griddle cakes, pancakes, hot cakes, skillet cakes, and flapjacks? Well, today, I would like to tell you the answer to that specific question. Which is that all five of these food items are exactly one and the same.  Homemade country pancakes I have decided to write two separate articles on the subject of how I make homemade pancakes from scratch. The first one was just to take you through the steps of how I make the pancake and waffle mix from scratch. Inside this article, I will be going more into depth on how I use that particular mix to make pancakes. In the other article, I also covered how to make homemade waffles from this same mix. The dry mix is the same for both, but needs to be prepared a little differently when adding the last few ingredients to make the waffle batter. (Hopefully splitting the t...
Read more

Merry Christmas

  Happy Holidays Just want to take this time out to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and the very best for the upcoming holiday season! If you are one of my Newsbreak followers, allow me to take this time to give you my appreciation and endless gratitude. Each of you matter so very much to me!  I look so forward to sharing new ideas, new recipes, and gardening tips with you in the new year of 2023! Thanks goes out to each of you for being here for me! Happy Holidays! Stay safe!
Read more

I tried Martha Stewart's slow-cooker triple chocolate brownies recipe- this is how they turned out

I tried Martha Stewart's slow-cooker triple chocolate brownies recipe- this is how they turned out There's one lady on this earth (besides mom) that I have always simply adored; Martha Stewart. Anyone who knows me knows that Martha has been my lifelong hero since I was a teenager. She's witty, beautiful, and exceptionally talented in so many various ways. Such as DIY home and land renovations to whipping up any tantalizing masterpiece in her kitchen.  Even though I have a multitude of recipes, I had never made  slow-cooker triple chocolate brownies  before. That's until I came across Martha Stewart's recipe for this delightfully delicious, gooey chocolate treat. I followed Martha's techniques and her recipe to the tee, and ooh-la-lah! Her slow-cooker triple chocolate brownies are sinfully exquisite. They are a chocolate lover's dream come true. Martha's slow-cooker brownie recipe takes 3-1/2 hours to bake. While some people may think that is too long to ...
Read more

Growing Vegetable Plants in Rockwool Cubes

Growing Vegetable Plants in Rockwool Cubes Hey there, fellow gardeners! Today we're going to talk about a cool way to grow your own vegetables using rockwool cubes. It may sound fancy, but it's actually pretty simple and fun. Let's dive in! What You'll Need: First things first, you'll need some rockwool cubes . These are like little sponges that help your plants grow strong and healthy. You'll also need some vegetable seeds, a tray to hold the cubes, and water. I personally use these hydroponic grow trays with dome lids. Step 1: Soak the Cubes Before you plant your seeds, you'll need to soak the rockwool cubes in water. This helps them absorb moisture and provides a good environment for your plants to grow. Step 2: Plant Your Seeds Once your cubes are nice and soaked, it's time to plant your seeds. Make a little hole in the top of each cube and drop a couple of seeds in. Some seeds are so tiny and I generally end up planting more than two in each cube. ...
Read more

Why I Don't Preheat My Oven Before Cooking"

"Why I Don't Preheat My Oven Before Cooking" In this article, I aim to shed light on my unconventional approach to cooking by explaining the reasons behind why I choose not to preheat my oven. While this may seem like a peculiar practice to some, I assure you that there are valid reasons behind it that I will explore in the following sections. Safety Considerations: Addressing concerns about food safety and doneness Ensuring proper internal temperature: Using a food thermometer One of the common concerns when it comes to skipping preheating is whether the food will cook evenly and reach a safe internal temperature. However, I have found that using a food thermometer effectively eliminates this concern. By inserting a thermometer in the thickest part of the dish, I can ensure that it reaches the recommended temperature for doneness. This method not only guarantees food safety but also prevents overcooking. Adhering to recommended cooking times for specific foods Another mi...
Read more

Easy Holiday Cat Treats

Easy Holiday Cat Treats The holiday season is a time of joy and indulgence, and why should our feline friends be left out? In this article, I'll show you how to make easy homemade cat treats that will have your furry companion purring with delight. Whether you want to spoil your cat with a special holiday treat or simply enjoy the satisfaction of making something from scratch, these recipes are the perfect way to spread some cheer for your beloved pet. Choosing Cat-Friendly Ingredients Not all human foods are safe for cats, so it's important to know which ingredients are suitable for our furry companions. Stick to cat-friendly options like lean meats (chicken, turkey, and fish), vegetables (pumpkin, sweet potatoes), and fruits (berries, bananas) that are safe and delicious for your feline friend. Simple Homemade Treat Recipes for the Holidays Now, let's dive into some easy and delightful homemade cat treat recipes that will have your kitty begging for more: Turkey and Sweet...
Read more

Delicious Honey Divinity With Chopped Pecans

Delicious Honey Divinity With Chopped Pecans The holidays just wouldn't be the same at my house without a batch of homemade divinity. This sweet treat is decadent, light as air, and absolutely delicious! If you encounter challenges while preparing my divinity recipe, please refer to the end notes for troubleshooting tips. The technique I am sharing is effective for all divinity recipes that do not yield the desired results. Ingredients: • 2 cups of granulated Splenda or granulated white sugar • 5 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon (1/3 cup) of premium honey • 5 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon (1/3 cup) of water • 2 egg whites, beaten to soft peaks • 1 1/2 cups of chopped pecans, chopped Maraschino cherries, or chocolate chips Instructions: Here's a fun and easy recipe for making delicious divinity candy! First, grab a heavy-bottomed pan and mix together granulated Splenda or sugar, honey, and water. Boil the mixture until it reaches a hard ball stage. To test if it's ready, drop a small...
Read more

Pulled Pork

Posted: 07 Aug 2021 01:21 PM PDT Pulled Pork Pulled pork can be made from a pork shoulder roast or a Boston butt. Both cuts of meat come from the shoulder of the front legs of a hog. The pork shoulder (picnic roast) is the cut lower on the shoulder, and it includes the shank, whereas the Boston butt is the uppercut of the hog's shoulder.  If you caught my last article about dry rub seasoning a bone-in pork shoulder roast, this pulled pork is from that particular pork shoulder. I will add my list of spice ingredients again in this article for future reference. After applying the dry spices and marinating the pork shoulder for two hours, I then placed it in a large cast-iron skillet and slow-roasted it for one hour; before placing the pork shoulder in the crockpot.  The pork shoulder slowly cooked all night in the crockpot. Then early this morning I pulled the pork apart with two forks. The bone fell off the meat without any work. After the pork is shredded,...
Read more