Easy Chocolate Cake Recipe
Now, if youre looking for an easy chocolate cake made with cake mix, try my copycat Portillos chocolate cake, which upgrades a box of cake mix by adding mayo for delicious results. But if you want to make chocolate cake from scratch, this is the recipe to follow. I bet you have all the ingredients on hand in your kitchen too!
I paired this cake with a homemade chocolate frosting, which is always a classic combination, but my cream cheese frosting is also fabulous with chocolate cake. Top the cake with sprinkles, chocolate chips, fresh berries, or just serve it as-is with a thick layer of frosting. Its easy enough to make just because, but it can also be dressed up for a birthday party or celebration!
What Are Some Easy Ideas For Decorating A Chocolate Cake
Minimalist cakes are in right now, which means you can make a professional looking cake even if youre not a skilled cake decorator! I think leaving the top undecorated and pushing mini chocolate chips, white chocolate curls, or rainbow sprinkles all around the sides looks fantastic! Another idea is to arrange fresh berries on top.
How To Make Chocolate Cake:
Mix Dry Ingredients. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl.
Addwet ingredients:. Eggs, buttermilk, oil and vanilla and mix until well combined.
Add boiling water. Stir to combine . Pour batter into prepared pans.
Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow cakes to cool in the pan for a few minutes before inverting onto a cooling rack. Cool completely before frosting.
Assemble and Frost: Place one cake layer on serving tray. Spread a generous amount of frosting on top. Add second cake layer. Frost top and sides of cake with remaining frosting.
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Mixing Dry & Wet Ingredients
6. Pour 1 cup water .
7. Pour 1/3 cup oil . I have used organic virgin coconut oil. Do use some light oil otherwise the cake may smell oily.
8. Next add 1 tablespoon vanilla extract. Yes this cake needs more vanilla than the other recipes. However if you prefer less you may use only half of it.
9. Add 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice or vinegar. Make sure you use good quality vinegar. I have used organic apple cider vinegar.
10. Mix all these well gently with a whisk or a spatula just until well combined.
11. You will notice that the cake batter begins to bubble up. The acidic ingredient vinegar or lemon juice begins to react with the baking soda. Do not over mix at this stage, it may make the cake dense.
How To Make Eggless Chocolate Cake
1. Preheat the oven to 170 C or 340 F for at least 15 mins. Grease a 8 inch round cake pan. If you do not have an 8 or 9 inch pan, check my pro tips section below to use other pans. I highly suggest using parchment paper to line the cake tray. This way the eggless chocolate cake comes out of the pan easily. If you do not have it, then drizzle some flour all over on the sides and bottom. Invert it & pat it off over the kitchen sink to remove the excess flour.
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How To Make It
Get your oven preheated. Its important to have your oven ready and waiting, nice and hot. Once the cake batter is mixed, youre going to want to get it in the oven ASAP. Time is of the essence here. Ill explain why in a minute.
Measure out your ingredients.
Tip: Always lightly spoon the flour into your measuring cup. If you scoop flour directly out of the bag or canister, the flour is compacted and youll get more flour than you need. Your cake may turn out dry. Its okay to scoop granulated sugar though.
Spray your pans with nonstick cooking spray. There will be enough batter to make a 9×13-inch pan or two round layer cakes. If you plan on removing the layer cakes from the pan, its helpful to cut a round of parchment paper to lay on the bottom of the pan.
Using a whisk, mix the dry ingredients in a big mixing bowl.
For the hot water, regular tap water is fine so start running the water so it heats up. You can heat water up in a kettle otherwise.
In a different bowl, combine vinegar, oil, vanilla, and hot water. It doesnt really have to be thoroughly blended, just kind of mixed.
Is your oven preheated? Is your pan ready? Good, because here we go.
Dump the wet ingredients, all at once, into the dry ingredients. Stir lightly with the whisk, making sure all the dry ingredients are getting moistened.
Immediately pour the batter into the prepared pans. Immediately put the cake into the oven. Set the timer.
Carrot Cake Sheet Cake
Seriously, the most time-consuming part of the whole cake making process is grating the carrots and those are done in a flash. I use my favorite box grater, but you can absolutely grate them up in no time with your food processor as well.
The smells of cinnamon and ginger are just mesmerizing as this cake is baking, but the real winner is how it tastes!
The combination of flavors just melds together perfectly in this recipe!
And it has such a tender crumb to it!
I love to top it with my favorite, fluffy cream cheese frosting and then a sprinkling of toasted pecans.
Heres my Carrot Cake Sheet Cake recipe. I hope you love it as much as we do!
Also Check: Sams Club Cake Options
What Kind Of Cocoa Powder Did You Use
I used Hersheys Unsweetened Cocoa Powder in order to use a brand that is most widely available to my readers. Im also fond of using higher quality cocoa powders like Ghiradellis or cocoa powders from specialty chocolatier shops, but those are pretty pricey. I dont recommend using cheap store brands.
Easy Homemade Chocolate Cake Recipe
Im such a softie when it comes to cake! My family knows this, so when they want to give me a special treat, its often one of my favorite bakery cakes. So indulgent! I love when they do that.
And, maybe a bit ironically, I also turn to cake when I want to do something special for my family! Making a cake from scratch is one of my favorite ways to show them that I care. Plus, its delicious. For everyone. Including me.
This particular cake is how can I say this? Perfect. Yep, perfect is the word! Its thick, fudgy, and moist while still being light. It goes beautifully with a whipped chocolate buttercream or any other type of frosting that you enjoy. This is the kind of cake that my kids beg for on their birthdays, because its just that special!
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How To Melt Chocolate
This chocolate cake recipe calls for 6 oz. of semi-sweet chocolate, which gives this cake that rich, chocolatey flavor! Melting the chocolate can be done in the microwave but you can also use a double boiler for better control.
If you decide to use a double boiler, take extra care that no moisture from the steam gets into your chocolate. This may cause seizing and youll have to start over.
What Frosting Goes Well With Chocolate Cake
There are lots of frosting recipes that pair well with chocolate cake. When I make this chocolate cake my go to frosting recipes are Old-Fashioned Chocolate Frosting or chocolate buttercream frosting. I am a big fan of double chocolate cakes. When I updated the photos for this chocolate cake I used the Old-Fashioned Chocolate Frosting, which is thinner frosting. If you are wanting thick frosting layers then you will want to go with the chocolate buttercream.
If double chocolate cake is not your preferred way to enjoy chocolate cake there are lots of tasty frosting recipes that pair perfectly with this homemade chocolate cake recipe that makes for tasty chocolate cake combinations. Check out some of my favorite frosting recipes that I love using when I make chocolate cake and want to change things up.
Recommended Reading: Dairy Queen Mothers Day Cakes
What Ingredient Makes A Cake Rise Baking Soda Or Baking Powder
Both raising agents are used in this recipe to ensure it rises enough. The sponge itself contains oil, which is quite a heavy ingredient that normally creates a dense result. Using both raising agents together balance this out to provide just the right amount of rise.
If your cakes turn out flat, make sure you check expiry dates. Keep in mind both baking powder and soda will lose their effectiveness if kept too long in your pantry.
Chocolate Cake Recipe: Ingredients And Substitutions
Many people ask how to make a cake super moist. It’s all in the ingredients. I made sure to choose ingredients that would create a moist chocolate cake with a rich chocolate flavor that everyone raves about. So let’s chat about the ingredients and some possible substitutions – although it took me years to perfect this chocolate cake recipe so I really don’t suggest tampering with it.
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The Best Vanilla Cake Recipe
Dessert 45 mins
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
This is the Best Vanilla Cake Recipe Ive ever tasted! So delicious, its quick and easy to make! Made from scratch, this cake is perfect for every occasion!
If you have been looking for a fluffy, moist and delicious not to mention quick and easy vanilla cake, here it isThe Best Vanilla Cake Recipe! Its the recipe that many of you requested by emailing, commenting, and messaging me for some time. As promised, here is the recipe that I think is the very best vanilla cake Ive ever tasted!
And topped with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting? Oh my word! It is perfection!
The Most Amazing White Cake
The Most Amazing White Cake recipe is light and airy, and absolutely gorgeous. This is the white cake youve been dreaming of!
The Most Amazing White Cake recipe is light and airy, and absolutely gorgeous. This is the white cake youve been dreaming of!
Ever since the Most Amazing Chocolate Cake became a viral sensation, people have been begging for a Most Amazing White Cake. It took ten rounds of experimentation and testing to perfect the white cake, but weve finally reached the one. Well continue on with a bunch of tips and trips to give you your best chance at success with this cake. White cakes are more finicky and tricky than chocolate cakes, but when made well, they are absolutely perfect and blow those boxed cake mixes out of the water.
Also Check: Sams Sheet Cake Price
The Best Homemade Chocolate Cake
If you are looking for an awesome Homemade Chocolate Cake Recipe then this is it! The best Chocolate Cake recipe is a perfect rich chocolate cake recipe is one that I think everyone needs to have in their recipe collection. A chocolate cake that will wow everyone anytime you make it but is simple enough that you can make it anytime you want to. This easy from scratch chocolate cake recipe is the only one I make and I have made it for years and gotten compliments every single time.
This from scratch chocolate cake recipe is perfectly moist, perfectly fudgy and is seriously the best chocolate cake recipe ever. I love making homemade cakes because they are always so much better then anything you get in the store. But I also know baking from scratch can be a scary thought, so I made this cake recipe to be perfect for everyone. This easy chocolate cake recipe is perfect for everyone from the beginning baker to the experienced.
Easy Carrot Cake Sheet Cake Recipe
Dessert 40 mins
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
This Easy Carrot Cake Sheet Cake recipe comes together easily and bakes into a beautiful, delicious carrot cake! Topped with a fluffy cream cheese frosting, this carrot cake is one everyone asks for the recipe!
Are you are carrot cake lover?
I have to admit that I havent been a fan of it until about a year or so ago.
Until then, Id always thought of the carrot cake Id had as a child where I had to quickly chase it with something to drink. From that point forward, Id politely refuse it. But then, Bart let me know that carrot cake was one of his favorite cakes and I knew I had to make one that we both enjoyed!
And friends, this is it. Well, actually, the big layered, gorgeous version was first, but this one quickly followed.
I cant say enough about how easy and delicious this sheet pan carrot cake is to make. It is perfect for when you need carrot cake for a crowd are transporting one to a potluck or get together or just dont want to hassle with making a layered version.
While I think this cake is absolutely perfect for Easter, it really is a favorite anytime!
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Homemade Chocolate Cake Recipe
This is hands down the best Homemade Chocolate Cake Recipe ever! Moist, rich, chocolate cake is topped with a luscious chocolate buttercream icing that will have you swooning. If youre a chocolate lover, look no further for your new favorite cake!
Im being 100% serious when I tell you this is the only chocolate cake recipe you will ever need. Its that good, yall.
Ive been making this cake for years and its the number one requested cake for birthdays in my family. Its moist, rich, and beyond simple to make. Did I mention you only need one bowl to prepare this with? Less dishes is always a good thing!
Why Use Buttermilk When Making Chocolate Cake
Buttermilk is a wonderful choice for baking, especially in cakes. It lends a rich depth of flavor, and also creates a soft and fluffy texture. This happens because of a chemical reaction between the acid in the buttermilk and the gluten in the flour. Bottom line: if you like a soft cake with exceptional flavor, choose buttermilk! And if you dont have any buttermilk on hand, its super easy to make with ingredients that you likely already do have!
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How To Make Ahead And Store The Homemade Chocolate Cake:
Both the cake and the chocolate frosting can be made ahead. Allow the cakes to cool completely, wrap them well in plastic wrap and place each layer into a gallon zip-top freezer bag. Freeze the cake layers for up to one month.
To frost the cake, simply remove from the freezer and allow to thaw in the refrigerator with wrapping intact. Then, frost the cake once it has completely thawed.
Store the cake at room temperature on the counter. I like to store under a cake dome to keep the cake fresh.