Momma P's Scotch Cake Recipe

There is nothing like the smell of a warm Scotch Cake in the oven and the sight of the gooey frosting cooking on the stove top. Scotch Cake is a family favorite and something my mom makes every holiday. Once this cake is made, you will catch my family sneaking into the kitchen for a piece at any time of day. It is moist, rich, and decadent.

“If eating cake is wrong, I don’t want to be right.”
— Lorelai Gilmore

Scotch Cake is a recipe that has been in my family for as long as I can remember. My grandmother passed it down to my mom, who passed it down to me. Growing up, this cake was something my mom was known for. Nobody. And I mean nobody, turns down a piece of my momma’s cake. Due to the fact that this is a sacred family recipe, the first time I made it I was terrified. I had never made a cake from scratch before, nor had I cooked a frosting. Thats right, COOKED a frosting. It can be a little temperamental and a burnt frosting is not forgiving. I followed the directions carefully and hovered over the frosting goodness while it cooked like you would a baby learning to walk. It was a success. I made my first successful Scotch Cake. All that was left to do was try to make it with dark chocolate coco powder instead of regular baking coco. (I prefer dark chocolate in almost every sweet treat.) The result, a richer more decadent cake.

Whether you choose to make this with regular or dark chocolate coco, you can’t go wrong. Both cakes are delicious and sure to be a crowd pleaser. Our favorite way to eat it is to warm it up and then serve a slice with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. There is nothing like the warm cake and frosting mixing with a creamy blue bell homemade vanilla. The frosting acts more like a fudge sauce, and it makes my mouth water just thinking about it!

This cake has received quite the introduction. There is nothing more that needs to be said. So without further ado, here is Momma P’s Scotch Cake.


Scotch Cake

Cake Ingredients:

  • 2 cups flour

  • 2 cups sugar

  • 2 sticks of butter

  • 4 tablespoons cocoa

  • 1 cup water

  • ½ cup buttermilk

  • 2 eggs

  • 1 teaspoon baking soda

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine sugar and flour in a bowl. In a large pan melt butter. Add cocoa and water to pan with butter and whisk together. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Add flour and sugar and mix well. Add remaining ingredients. Mix well. Pour into greased pan. (I use an 8x11. My mom uses a 9x13.) Cook @ 400° for 30 minutes (Or until tooth pick comes out clean). Remove cake from oven and immediately make icing. (I like to add the icing while the cake is still slightly warm.)

Icing Ingredients:

  • 1 stick of butter

  • 4 tablespoons cocoa

  • 6 tablespoons milk

  • box of powdered sugar

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Melt butter in a large sauce pan. Add cocoa and milk to butter and bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour on cake while icing is still hot.


I hope you enjoy making this family favorite. As always, if you do, drop me a note. Happy baking!

XOXO