What could be better than chocolate cake? Not much! Especially when it’s a deliciously Easy Chocolate Cake recipe – moist, rich, and made from scratch in your own kitchen.
Easy Homemade Chocolate Cake Recipe
I’m such a softie when it comes to cake! My family knows this, so when they want to give me a special treat, it’s 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, it’s delicious. For everyone. Including me.
This particular cake is… how can I say this? Perfect. Yep, perfect is the word! It’s 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 it’s just that special!
What You’ll Need
Even though this cake is uber-festive, it’s made from very simple ingredients that you probably already have! So it’s also a great recipe to pull out when you don’t have time to run to the store, but you still want to make something fancy!
- Sugar: You’ll need two cups of plain ol’ granulated sugar. You can substitute raw sugar here if you’d like.
- Flour: No need for cake flour; just use 1 ¾ cups of all-purpose flour.
- Cocoa Powder: To make this cake perfectly chocolatey, we’ll be using ¾ cup of cocoa powder in the batter.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: Using both together gives this cake its light quality, making each bite both delicate and rich.
- Salt: I typically use sea salt.
- Eggs: You’ll need two whole eggs.
- Milk: Creamy and dreamy! I use one cup of whole milk in this recipe.
- Oil: You can substitute butter if you want a richer cake, but I find that oil gives a great texture and moistness.
- Vanilla: Go for pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
- Boiling Water: This old-fashioned technique of adding boiling water will make the batter seem very liquid, but don’t be alarmed! The results will be amazing!
How to Make Chocolate Cake
One of the nicest things about this chocolate cake recipe is how easy it is. Unlike traditional sponge cakes, which rely on whipped egg whites for a light and fluffy texture, this easy recipe uses baking powder and baking soda to raise the batter.
- Prep Oven & Cake Pans: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly spray two 9-inch round cake pans with cooking spray, and dust them with flour. Line the bottom of each pan with a circle of parchment paper for easy removal.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Mix until combined.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the eggs, milk, oil and vanilla to the bowl. Stir until just combined. Pour in the boiling water and mix until smooth. The batter will seem a little runny.
- Bake: Pour the chocolate cake batter evenly into the two prepared cake pans. Place the pans in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the center of each cake round is set.
- Allow to cool before frosting.
Tips for Success
What else should you know about baking a chocolate layer cake? Here are a few tips you might find helpful!
- Trace the Parchment: To get an even circle for the bottom of your pans, just place a pan on the parchment and trace a circle around the base. Cut the circle slightly smaller than your tracing and it should pop right in.
- Toothpick Test: You can use a fork or toothpick to test the cake for doneness – just insert the fork or toothpick into the center of the cake and remove it. It should come out clean (one or two crumbs is fine, but no moist, battery clumps).
- Cool Thoroughly: When you cool the cake, really let it get to room temperature all the way through. If the cake is still warm, even just a little bit, then the frosting is likely to melt off of the cake completely, and not in a glaze-y way, but in a disappointing puddles of gunk way. (Ask me how I know!)
Decorating Ideas
I love to frost this cake with a homemade chocolate buttercream, but you could also use your favorite vanilla frosting, or make a marshmallow fluff frosting. To decorate, try any of the following:
- Chocolate Curls: Drag a sharp knife across a bar of chocolate to make shavings or curls. Scatter over the frosted cake.
- Pearls: Shimmery candy pearls (find them on the baking aisle, near the frosting) look beautiful on a dark, chocolatey cake.
- Ganache: Equal parts of cream and high-quality chocolate make a lovely ganache. Cool it well, then drizzle over the cake for a fancy effect.
- Crushed Candies or Cookies: Crush up your favorite candy or cookies and sprinkle over your cake! Heath bars, Oreos, or even peppermints!
- Chopped Nuts: Go for easy chopped walnuts or pecans here. Sprinkle them over the top and press them gently into the sides of the cake.
How to Store a Frosted Cake
- You can store this cake, covered, at room temperature, for up to 3 days.
- If you refrigerate the cake, cover it and store in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- Allow it to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving.
Can I Freeze This?
- Yes, you can! Freeze this cake, well-covered, for up to two months.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
Easy Chocolate Cake
Equipment
- Oven
Ingredients
FOR THE CAKE
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
FOR THE FROSTING
- 12 ounces chocolate chips, finely chopped
- 1½ cups heavy whipping cream
- 8 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly spray two 9-inch round cake pans with cooking spray and dust with flour. Line the bottom of the cake pans with a cutout of parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Mix until combined.
- Add two eggs, milk, oil and vanilla to the bowl. Stir until just combined. Pour in boiling water and mix until smooth. (The batter will seem a little runny). Pour batter evenly into the two prepared cake pans.
- Place filled pans in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the center is set. Remove from oven and let cool completely before frosting.
FOR THE FROSTING
- Place chopped chocolate in a mixing bowl; set aside.
- Place whipping cream and butter in saucepan and cook over medium heat to just a boil.
- Pour cream mixture over the chopped chocolate; whisk vigorously until chocolate is melted and smooth.
- Cover and refrigerate for an hour.Remove from fridge and stir; refrigerate about 1 more hour, or until it reaches a spreading consistency.
- Spread about 1/3 of frosting on one cake layer; top with the other cake layer and spread frosting on top and sides of cake.
- Cut and Serve.
Nutrition
More Easy Dessert Ideas
A homemade dessert makes any meal extra special. You’ll love the recipes below!
67 Comments
Erik
Jun 29, 2021 at 5:32 pmI’m always in the mood for chocolate cake, especially when it’s easy. Yum!
Katerina Petrovska
Jun 30, 2021 at 2:01 pmI hope you enjoy it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Claire
Jun 29, 2021 at 10:25 pmAlways up for a chocolate cake! Excited to try this!
Katerina Petrovska
Jun 30, 2021 at 2:01 pmI hope you enjoy it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Catalina
Jun 30, 2021 at 8:28 amYes, please! I need one of these big chocolate cake slices! It looks amazing!
Katerina Petrovska
Jun 30, 2021 at 1:59 pmI hope you enjoy it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Toni
Jun 30, 2021 at 10:09 amSuch a perfect chocolate cake!! Everyone at my house was impressed!
Katerina Petrovska
Jun 30, 2021 at 1:59 pmThat’s great! I’m very glad everyone enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Sandra
Jun 30, 2021 at 3:59 pmThis is one of the best chocolate cake recipes I’ve tried! So easy and so good!
Beth
Jun 30, 2021 at 5:30 pmThis chocolate cake looks so amazing and so yummy! My two chocolate lovers are going to absolutely love this recipe! I’m so excited to make this for the weekend and for my son’s birthday!
Cathy
Jul 9, 2021 at 4:52 pmThis is the perfect chocolate cake recipe!
Katerina
Jul 15, 2021 at 3:21 pmThank YOU! Hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Manal
Jul 20, 2021 at 2:55 pmHellooo, i made this cake today it was too soft it broke i had to crumble the cake completely and cut out because of how soft it was I couldn’t handle it, this happened the first time and i was so upset because I followed each and every instruction clearly. But it tasted so good:(
Millie Roux
Dec 27, 2021 at 2:25 pmI’m sure this could be a great recipe, that is if the instructions included adding the flour.
Katerina
May 1, 2023 at 10:50 amIt’s there, in the recipe card. You need 1.75 cups of flour.
Britt
Feb 2, 2022 at 5:58 pmWhat can I substitute for the whole milk?? Can I use 2% milk?? Thanks!
Katerina
Feb 5, 2022 at 8:37 amHi!
Yep, you can use 2%.
Jen
Apr 1, 2022 at 4:25 amHi! I’ve made this cake three times now and it’s been amazing every time! So moist and I love how easy it is. The only thing I add is about a tablespoon of instant coffee. I want to use the recipe to make into cupcakes for my sons preschool party. How long do you think I should bake them for?
Katerina
Apr 2, 2022 at 11:51 amHi!
I suggest to start checking for doneness around the 20 to 22-minute mark.
Doris
Apr 1, 2022 at 4:42 pmThis cake looks so good and will have to try it but will put peanut butter frosting on it and make it into a 9 by 13 pan
saragrimes
May 3, 2022 at 5:59 amI like to make chocolate cake because it is one pf my favorite dessert
Katerina Petrovska
May 3, 2022 at 2:17 pmThat’s great! I hope you’ll enjoy it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Teresa
Jul 24, 2022 at 8:57 pmMy sister’s cake came out watery. She used melted chocolate chips since she had no cocoa. Could that be the reason
Teresa
Jul 24, 2022 at 8:58 pmPS she baked it fit almost an hr, never turned into a cake. She is a beginner and a so sad
Shane Touchet
Aug 17, 2022 at 9:17 pmAll the instructions are there step by step and so very easy to follow and use. All you have to do is tap the jump to recipe at the very top of the page and everything is there in a step by step very easy to understand format. I’ve been baking pies, cookies, cakes, brownies, muffins.. you get the picture. Lol. Quite a few years now and this is by far one of the easiest and best tasting recipes I have yet had the pleasure of coming across. I baked one cake for my son and his family and they absolutely destroyed it. I baked another for my neighbor and her family and they devoured that one as well. Thank you so very much for this outstanding 10 star Michelin quality recipe.
Katerina Petrovska
Aug 18, 2022 at 1:13 pmThat is so great to hear! I am very glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for chiming in! 🙂
Marissa
Aug 20, 2022 at 9:14 pmThis was the best texture cake I’ve ever had. Better than any bakery. Better than Costco. Haha. Do you have a vanilla or funfetti version too?
Disappointed in Denver
Sep 21, 2022 at 11:10 pmMy 13-year-old loves baking. She came across your recipe and decided to try it while I was out running a quick errand (we were gone 30 min at best). We came home, and she was so excited to show us the cake she had made. She pulled it out, and the whole thing was a disgusting, oily mess.
My husband and I read through the recipe and ingredients and realized that your recipe calls for a HALF CUP of OIL. Seriously? Most recipes call for half a tablespoon / whole tablespoon. You actually put a half a CUP in your instructions. My oven is a mess, my daughter feels terrible especially since she followed your directions explicitly, and the “cake” is just a goopy mess. You might want to try following the recipe before you post it. I would give zero stars if I could.
Katerina
Sep 22, 2022 at 8:36 amI’m sorry this happened. I have made this cake numerous times, so I know it works, but since I wasn’t there, I can’t see what went wrong, obviously. I think maybe the problem is that she didn’t add enough flour, or maybe she didn’t scroll down to the recipe card – everything is there, listed in a step by step format. For the amount of dry ingredients, you do need all that liquid, even 1/2-cup vegetable oil.
hannah
Jan 3, 2023 at 4:23 pmWhen I made it the cake crumbled when I frosted it, and the batter was runny and soupy.
Katerina
Jan 5, 2023 at 8:34 amTo avoid crumbly cake, the cake should be completely cooled before frosting it.
Earl floyd
Apr 30, 2023 at 7:35 pmLiterally just happened to me lol. Oh well I needed to clean the stove anyway
Katerina
May 1, 2023 at 10:47 amHow much flour and cocoa powder did you use? I make this cake all the time and I can’t see why this happened to several readers. If you can, please let me know if there’s something in the instructions that may not make sense to one reader, but total sense to another. Thanks!
Helpful tip
Jun 19, 2023 at 10:14 amHi – Denver is high altitude so recipes would naturally need to be adjusted for that. Also, 1/2 a cup of oil is standard for cakes, including boxed cakes from the grocery store (again, altitude adjustments might change this). Hope your daughter is still baking! We all have our catastrophes.
Kathy
Jun 25, 2023 at 1:25 pmOne half cup of oil is not excessive in a cake or brownie recipe. My guess is your 13 year old made an error. You stated you were gone “30 minutes At best) The recipe provides a 10 minute prep time and an additional 35 minutes for baking. How would a 13 year old expert baker finish this cake in the time you referenced? Maybe she didn’t bake long enough? Rude to rate “0 stars” to someone kind enough to share their recipes
Janelle
Oct 11, 2022 at 7:34 amEasy, quick and delicious recipe. All the ingredients are available and easily accessible. Love it! We made this cake for a quick dessert when we had some company over. Topped it with ice cream.
Katerina Petrovska
Oct 12, 2022 at 12:44 pmThat’s great! I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
11 Year Old Baker
Nov 13, 2022 at 8:24 pmNo bad comments, I have made this cake many times and it is always a crowd pleaser. I like to add powered sugar and raspberries on top.
Great recipe!
Katerina Petrovska
Nov 14, 2022 at 10:05 amThank you so much! I am very happy you loved it! 🙂
Wanda
Nov 22, 2022 at 12:15 pmHi
Tried the recipe and followed the instructions as written; however my cake was moist but wouldn’t rise in the center. So I tried it again and decided to use my bundt pan and the same thing happened. You have some advice for me.
Karen
Jan 15, 2023 at 6:59 amMy 11 year old made this (with some guidance from me but I forgot to adjust to high altitude and the center felll. However, we turned the cake upside down. I didn’t get a chance to try it before she had to leave and take it with her and she texted me “The cake we made was the most delicious and most moist and most rich amazing cake! We have to use that recipe more often” (I found instructions for high altitude adjustment for next time) I found it to be such an easy recipe. Thank you!
Katerina Petrovska
Jan 18, 2023 at 1:27 pmThat’s great! I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Alexie
Jun 28, 2023 at 10:44 amMade this cake 3x and it’s sooo good! Super easy and the kids love to help with the instructions being so easy. No issues at all and stays consistent every time I make it! I topped it with a Salted Carmel whip cream frosting and it’s delicious chilled!
Andrea
Jan 22, 2023 at 10:19 amCould I try this with coconut oil and/or buttermilk instead of vegetable oil and regular milk?
Katerina
Jan 22, 2023 at 12:44 pmI have not tested this cake with coconut oil and milk, so I don’t know if it will work or how it will turn out. If you try it and have a minute, I’d love to know if it worked.
Andrea
Jan 27, 2023 at 7:14 amIt came out great! I would definitely say it’s safe to use those ingredients if you prefer
Katerina
Jan 28, 2023 at 8:53 amOh that’s awesome! Thanks so much for sharing! ♥️
Lilah
May 14, 2023 at 11:42 amI was wondering how much baking soda and powder to use in it?
Kay
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:26 amI followed your recipe and instructions 🤗 however, instead of boiling water I used freshly brewed espresso. Such a delicious, moist, rich cake. So yummy! I couldn’t stop eating it.
Thank you!!!!
Katerina Petrovska
Jan 23, 2023 at 11:33 amThat’s great! I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂
Abigail
Jan 28, 2023 at 7:41 amIt was a very yummy recipe!! Everything tasted so good! The cake came out perfect and moist but the frosting remained too runny even after about 4 hours in the fridge. Any tips?
Katerina
Jan 28, 2023 at 8:59 amHi!
I’m not sure why the frosting is runny. If you want, add powdered sugar to it, about two tablespoons at a time, and mix with an electric mixer until you reach the desired consistency.
Liliana
Feb 24, 2023 at 10:38 amWOW! DELICIOUS! I am a mom of two small children and I have a feeling this will become our tradition from now on. it will be my new staple and go to for chocolate cake.
Katerina Petrovska
Feb 27, 2023 at 2:47 pmThank you so much! I hope everyone enjoys it! 🙂
Christopher
Feb 27, 2023 at 2:36 pmI made this recipe twice in two different style cake pans and both times the center of the cake sunk in. Very disappointed.
Katerina
Feb 27, 2023 at 4:09 pmWas the center of the cake set when you removed it from the oven? The most common reason cakes sink in the middle is that the cake isn’t fully baked.
Carol Warren
Feb 28, 2023 at 5:49 pmWinner winner recipe! I changed the cup of boiling water for a cup of hot coffee! This recipe is a keeper.
Jennifer
Mar 15, 2023 at 1:30 pmMade this cake to recipe and it was AMAZING! Would love to St. patty’s version with either Guiness or Bailey’s…not sure what to sub it for….thoughts???
Terrassenüberdachung mit Montage
Mar 21, 2023 at 5:26 pmGreat website, thanks for the great recipes… I’ll use them again in the future 😉 THANK YOU !!! Greetings
Klebefolien
Apr 8, 2023 at 12:20 pmVery yummy
Katerina Petrovska
Apr 17, 2023 at 2:57 pmThank YOU! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Nachhilfe Solingen
Jul 14, 2023 at 10:59 amI can agree with you. I love choclate and cake. And this is the best thing i have ever made
Mary Ann
May 1, 2023 at 3:17 pmI made this cake over the weekend and everyone was raving over it – Best Chocolate Cake ever! I did change it just a bit and put vanilla frosting in between layers and for a little decoration on top of cake. Everyone couldn’t get over how moist the cake was.
Grace
May 28, 2023 at 9:30 pmOops. It was recipe USER error. We made it today and it was PERFECT. I bet she didn’t scroll down to the actual recipe with exact measurements. Try it yourself. You’ll see it was your kid that screwed it up. 🙂
Katerina
Jun 2, 2023 at 9:06 amLOL 😆 I am so glad you tried it again, and liked it! ❤️
Mariah
Aug 14, 2023 at 12:22 pmI feel like this very simple recipe has no business tasting as good as it does. 😆 I did have to bake it about 8 extra minutes, but it didn’t dry it out, the cake didn’t collapse, and it didn’t fall apart on me. I made it for my son’s second birthday and put peanut butter frosting on it. It was well-received! Thanks for the easy chocolate cake recipe!! ❤️
Nachhilfe
Sep 2, 2023 at 11:32 amI tried your receipe but with stevia instead of sugar. It is the same taste but with less sugar.