Ah, chocolate cake 🍫🍰—the ultimate crowd-pleaser, cozy dessert, and all-around classic.
What it is
- A moist, tender cake flavored with cocoa or melted chocolate.
- Can range from simple everyday cakes to fancy layer cakes with ganache or frosting.
- Can be baked as a layer cake, sheet cake, or cupcakes.
Ingredients (classic version, serves 8)
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water (or hot coffee for extra richness)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round pans or a 9×13 pan.
- Mix dry ingredients:
Flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt. - Add wet ingredients:
Eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Beat until smooth. - Add boiling water:
Slowly mix in boiling water (or coffee); batter will be thin—this makes it super moist. - Bake:
- 30–35 min for 9-inch rounds
- 35–40 min for 9×13 pan
Test with toothpick; it should come out clean.
- Cool:
Let cakes cool in pans 10 min, then remove to wire rack. Frost once fully cool.
Frosting & Variations
- Classic chocolate buttercream: Cocoa, butter, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla
- Ganache: Heavy cream + chocolate melted together
- Moist extras: Add sour cream, yogurt, or buttermilk to the batter
- Flavor boost: Espresso powder, cinnamon, or a hint of orange zest
If you want, I can give a super quick 1-bowl chocolate cake recipe that’s extra moist and easy for beginners.
Do you want me to do that?
