Chocolate Cake Recipe

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Author: Olivia
Published:
Delicious homemade chocolate cake with rich frosting

introduction

Chocolate cake is a classic dessert loved by many people. Its rich, moist texture and delightful chocolate flavor make it a favorite for birthdays, celebrations, or just a sweet treat at home. Learning how to make this cake is easier than you think, and it’s a great recipe to have on hand for any occasion. If you’re looking for a simple yet delicious dessert, you might also want to check out this chocolate chip mug cake recipe for a quick fix.

Chocolate Cake Recipe

why make this recipe

There are many reasons to make a chocolate cake. First, it only takes a few ingredients that you likely already have in your pantry. Second, it’s versatile; you can serve it plain, with frosting, or with whipped cream and fruit. Finally, making a chocolate cake at home is a fun activity that you can enjoy with family or friends. It’s a simple way to bring joy to any gathering.

how to make Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

  • 2 cups (260g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (90g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup (240mL) milk
  • 1/2 cup (120mL) vegetable oil, or any neutral flavored oil
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240mL) hot black coffee
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups (340g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 3-5 tablespoons milk

Directions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Butter 2 (9 inch) round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper circles. Lightly dust the sides of the pans with flour or cocoa powder and tap out any excess. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk to combine.
  3. To the dry ingredients, add the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla. Whisk until it just combines into a thick batter. Take care not to over mix.
  4. Pour your hot coffee over the batter and whisk right away to combine. The batter should be very thin at this point – that’s what you’re looking for!
  5. Evenly divide the chocolate cake batter into your prepared cake pans. Bake in the center of your preheated 350°F oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean with a few moist crumbs.
  6. Cool the cakes for about 10 minutes in the pans then turn onto a wire rack. Peel off the parchment paper and set aside to finish cooling completely to room temperature.
  7. Sift your cocoa powder and powdered sugar into a large bowl then add your butter in.
  8. Using an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix on low speed until the sugar and cocoa are dissolved. You can also do this with a wooden spoon by hand but it will be a workout!
  9. Scrape down the bottom and sides of the bowl then add your salt, vanilla extract, and 3 tablespoons of milk. Mix on low speed to combine.
  10. Bump the mixer up to high speed and whip for about 1 minute or until smooth and fluffy. If the frosting is too thick, mix in more milk until it reaches your desired consistency.
  11. Place one of your cooled chocolate cakes onto your serving platter and spread about 1/3 of the frosting over the top. Layer your second cake on top and use the remaining frosting to cover the top and sides of the cake.
  12. Slice and serve!

how to serve Chocolate Cake

Chocolate cake can be served in many ways. You can enjoy it plain, or add a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side for a delightful dessert. For special occasions, consider garnishing the cake with fresh berries or chocolate shavings for an extra touch.

how to store Chocolate Cake

To store leftover chocolate cake, place it in an airtight container. You can keep it in the refrigerator for up to a week. If you want to store it longer, you can freeze it. Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil before putting it in the freezer. It will remain good for about three months.

tips to make Chocolate Cake

  • Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature for better mixing.
  • Don’t overmix the batter; a few lumps are okay.
  • If you find your cake is too dry, a simple syrup can be brushed on the cake layers before frosting.
  • Use high-quality cocoa powder for the best flavor.

variation (if any)

You can easily make a chocolate marble cake by swirling vanilla cake batter with the chocolate batter. You can also add chocolate chips to the batter for an extra chocolatey bite.

FAQs

  1. Can I use a different type of flour?
    You can use cake flour instead of all-purpose flour for a lighter texture.

  2. What can I use instead of eggs?
    You can replace eggs with applesauce or a flaxseed mixture (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons of water per egg).

  3. How can I make my cake more moist?
    Adding yogurt or sour cream to the batter can help make your cake super moist.

Print
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Chocolate Cake

  • Author: arianarecipes
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A rich and moist chocolate cake that’s perfect for any celebration or sweet treat.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (260g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (90g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup (240mL) milk
  • 1/2 cup (120mL) vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240mL) hot black coffee
  • 4 cups (480g) powdered sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups (340g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 35 tablespoons milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Butter 2 (9 inch) round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper circles. Lightly dust the sides of the pans with flour or cocoa powder and tap out any excess. Set aside.
  2. Combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Whisk to combine.
  3. Add the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla to the dry ingredients. Whisk until it just combines into a thick batter. Take care not to over mix.
  4. Pour your hot coffee over the batter and whisk right away to combine. The batter should be very thin at this point.
  5. Evenly divide the batter into your prepared cake pans. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean with a few moist crumbs.
  6. Cool the cakes for about 10 minutes in the pans then turn onto a wire rack. Peel off the parchment paper and set aside to finish cooling completely.
  7. Sift cocoa powder and powdered sugar into a bowl, then add your butter.
  8. Mix on low speed until sugar and cocoa are dissolved. Scrape the bowl, then add salt, vanilla, and 3 tablespoons of milk. Mix to combine.
  9. Bump the mixer up to high speed and whip for about 1 minute or until smooth and fluffy. Add more milk if needed for desired consistency.
  10. Place one of the cooled cake layers on a serving platter and spread about 1/3 of the frosting over the top. Layer your second cake on top and cover with the remaining frosting.
  11. Slice and serve!

Notes

Use high-quality cocoa powder for the best flavor. Store leftover cake in an airtight container; it lasts up to a week in the refrigerator.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 30g
  • Sodium: 200mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 4g
  • Cholesterol: 50mg

Ariana’s Delicious Moments
Hi, I’m Ariana!

A self-taught home cook who loves creating everyday recipes that are simple, flavorful, and family-friendly. This blog is where I share the meals I actually make from quick weeknight dinners to sweet weekend treats. Let’s cook together!

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