Carolina Chocolate Cake with Local Vanilla Bean
A rich, moist chocolate cake infused with local vanilla bean, topped with a bourbon-infused chocolate glaze. This southern-inspired desserts ready in about 105 minutes layers flour, sugar, cocoa powder into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1, split and scraped vanilla bean
- 1/2 cup, softened butter
- 8 oz, chopped dark chocolate
- 2 tbsp bourbon
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
- Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, beat eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla bean seeds until smooth. Gradually add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Step 3: Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Step 4: While the cake cools, melt butter and chocolate in a saucepan over low heat. Stir in bourbon and vanilla extract. Let cool slightly, then spread over the cake. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Carolina Chocolate Cake with Local Vanilla Bean take to make?
Total time is about 105 minutes (60 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Carolina Chocolate Cake with Local Vanilla Bean?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Carolina Chocolate Cake with Local Vanilla Bean?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Carolina Chocolate Cake with Local Vanilla Bean for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Carolina Chocolate Cake with Local Vanilla Bean?
Southern desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
