Easy Chocolate Cake Recipe
If there’s one dessert that reliably brings a smile to everyone’s face, it’s Easy Chocolate Cake. This is the sort of cake you whip up in under an hour, with pantry staples and zero fuss—and the result is so gorgeously moist and chocolatey, you’ll wonder why every cake isn’t this simple. Whether it’s a family celebration, quiet evening treat, or a bake sale showstopper, this fluffy, crowd-pleasing cake fits every occasion. With rich cocoa flavor, tender crumb, and endless possibilities for finishing touches, there’s nothing quite as comforting or adaptable as this recipe.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes this Easy Chocolate Cake so special is how each ingredient works in harmony and yet the list remains beautifully uncomplicated. Each item is an essential player, ensuring the cake turns out decadent, soft, and deeply chocolatey every single time.
- All-purpose flour: Gives the cake its structure and a wonderfully tender crumb.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake while helping keep it ultra moist and soft.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Delivers that irresistible, rich chocolate flavor.
- Baking powder: Helps the cake rise so you get those tall, fluffy layers.
- Baking soda: Enhances lift and helps the cocoa powder deepen in flavor.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies the chocolate taste.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together and add richness.
- Whole milk: Keeps the cake wonderfully moist and adds a touch of creaminess.
- Vegetable oil: Adds moisture and ensures a soft, tender cake every bite.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the chocolate with sweet, aromatic notes.
- Boiling water: Deepens the cocoa flavor and makes the batter perfectly pourable.
How to Make Easy Chocolate Cake
Step 1: Prep Your Pans and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), then grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper. Taking a few seconds for this step is key—it’ll guarantee your Easy Chocolate Cake pops out perfectly and preserves its lovely shape. Set the pans aside while you move on to mixing.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Make sure to mix until everything is well blended and there are no cocoa lumps. This step ensures your cake will have an even, consistent chocolate flavor throughout, with no unwanted pockets of dry ingredients.
Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients
Make a well in the center of your dry mix and add in the eggs, whole milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer, beat everything together for about 2 minutes on medium speed. The batter will start to look smooth and glossy—exactly what you want for a perfectly textured Easy Chocolate Cake.
Step 4: Mix in the Boiling Water
Carefully stir in the boiling water, a little at a time, and watch your batter transform—it’ll become thin, and that’s just right! The hot water blooms the cocoa, helping the flavor go deep and making your finished cake especially moist.
Step 5: Pour and Bake
Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans. Slide them gently into the oven and bake for 30–35 minutes. To check doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of a cake—it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Let the cakes cool in their pans for 10 minutes before turning them onto a wire rack to cool fully.
How to Serve Easy Chocolate Cake
Garnishes
One of the joys of Easy Chocolate Cake is how beautifully it welcomes all sorts of garnishes. For a classic look, a dusting of powdered sugar does wonders. If you want to dial up the decadence, try a thick chocolate buttercream or even fluffy cream cheese frosting. Fresh berries, chocolate shavings, or a drizzle of caramel also look stunning and add a flavor boost!
Side Dishes
This cake is delightfully rich, so pairing it with a cool spoonful of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of homemade whipped cream really balances each bite. For something special, serve alongside a mug of freshly brewed coffee or a glass of cold milk to make your Easy Chocolate Cake experience even more comforting.
Creative Ways to Present
Dress up your Easy Chocolate Cake for a birthday by adding colorful sprinkles and tiny candles. Need a quick weeknight treat? Bake as a 9×13-inch sheet and cut into squares for easy snacking. Layer slices with fresh fruit and whipped cream in parfait glasses for an elegant twist on a trifle—there’s truly no wrong way to share it!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (lucky you!), wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap or store slices in an airtight container. It’ll stay fresh and delicious at room temperature for up to two days, or in the fridge for about five days—just bring to room temp before serving for the best texture.
Freezing
This Easy Chocolate Cake freezes beautifully. Wrap each layer (unfrosted) in plastic wrap and then foil, and it will keep in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before frosting or serving, and it tastes as fantastic as freshly baked!
Reheating
To revive that fresh-from-the-oven feel, pop individual slices into the microwave for 10–15 seconds. The cake gets just warm enough to taste almost like it was baked that day, especially lovely if you pair it with a scoop of ice cream or a little drizzle of chocolate sauce.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Dessert
All-purpose flour gives the best tender crumb, but if you need a gluten-free version, a direct swap with a reliable gluten-free 1:1 baking blend works well. Just avoid whole wheat flours, as they can make the cake dense.
What kind of cocoa powder is best?
Unsweetened natural cocoa powder gives the classic taste, but you can also use Dutch-processed for a deeper, almost velvety chocolate flavor. Both work splendidly in this Easy Chocolate Cake!
Can I make this cake dairy-free?
Yes! Substitute your favorite non-dairy milk and use vegetable oil as directed. The cake stays wonderfully moist and the chocolate flavor shines through.
Why does the recipe call for boiling water?
Pouring in boiling water enhances the cocoa, giving it a deliciously deep flavor while ensuring the cake is extra tender and moist. Don’t skip this—it’s a true game changer for Easy Chocolate Cake!
Can I make cupcakes instead of layered cake?
Absolutely. Simply pour the batter into lined muffin tins, filling each about two-thirds full, and bake for 18–22 minutes. Perfect for parties or cute grab-and-go treats.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Chocolate Cake has become my go-to, and I can’t encourage you enough to give it a whirl. No fancy steps, no mysterious ingredients—just reliably delicious chocolate cake every single time. Grab your mixing bowl and join me in making the most soul-satisfying dessert you’ll ever taste!
Print
Easy Chocolate Cake Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the rich and decadent goodness of this Easy Chocolate Cake. Perfect for any occasion, this moist and flavorful cake is a true crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare cake pans.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla until smooth.
- Blend Boiling Water: Carefully stir in boiling water until combined.
- Bake: Divide batter into pans and bake for 30–35 minutes.
- Cool and Serve: Cool cakes before frosting and serving.
Notes
- This cake can be frosted with various options like chocolate buttercream or cream cheese frosting.
- You can also bake it as a single sheet cake in a 9×13-inch pan.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 310mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
