Home made Chocolate Cake Recipe

The Ultimate Home Made Chocolate Cake Recipe for Sweet Joy

Chocolate lovers can’t resist the allure of a classic homemade chocolate cake that melts hearts with every delectable bite.

This rich, velvety chocolate cake recipe brings pure indulgence straight to your kitchen.

Layers of moist, decadent goodness promise to tantalize your taste buds with deep cocoa flavors.

The simple ingredients transform into a dessert that speaks volumes about comfort and warmth.

Each slice tells a story of sweet memories and delightful moments shared around the table.

You’ll find this recipe surprisingly easy to master, even for novice bakers.

Get ready to become the star baker in your circle with this irresistible chocolate masterpiece that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Homemade Chocolate Cake: What Sets It Apart

  • Unlock Easy Baking: Perfect for beginners with simple ingredients and straightforward mixing steps that anyone can master.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Delivers rich chocolate flavor that appeals to both kids and adults, making it ideal for family gatherings, potlucks, and celebrations.
  • Moisture Magic: Unique boiling water technique creates an incredibly soft, tender cake that stays deliciously moist and fresh for days.
  • Versatile Celebration Cake: Adaptable to different pan sizes and frosting styles, allowing for creative presentation at birthdays, holidays, or casual weekend treats.

Everything for Rich, Moist Chocolate Cake

Dry Ingredients:
  • Flour: A key base ingredient that provides structure to the chocolate cake.
  • Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor and dark color to the cake.
  • Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise and creates a light, fluffy texture.
  • Baking Soda: Assists in leavening and helps the cake achieve a tender crumb.
  • Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the chocolate cake.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a moist cake texture.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and provide richness to the cake.
  • Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a smooth cake batter.
  • Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cake moist and tender.
  • Vanilla Extract: Provides a subtle depth of flavor to the chocolate cake.
Final Ingredient:
  • Boiling Water: Creates a thin batter that results in an extra moist chocolate cake.

Cake Instructions to Make it Simple

Step 1: Prep The Oven And Pans

Get your oven ready by heating it to 350°F.

Grab your cake pans and give them a quick coating of grease and flour to prevent sticking.

Choose between two round 9-inch pans or one 9×13-inch pan.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a spacious mixing bowl, grab your whisk and blend together:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Cocoa powder
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Salt
  • Granulated sugar

Whisk until everything looks evenly mixed and clump-free.

Step 3: Mix In Wet Components

Crack in your eggs, pour in milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract.

Use an electric mixer to blend everything on medium speed.

Keep mixing for about 2 minutes until the batter looks smooth and silky.

Step 4: Add Magical Moisture

Pour in boiling water slowly while stirring.

Don’t worry if the batter seems thin – this is the secret to an incredibly moist cake.

Step 5: Bake To Perfection

Transfer the batter evenly into your prepared pans.

Slide into the preheated oven and bake:
  • Round pans: 30-35 minutes
  • 9×13 pan: 35-40 minutes

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean.

Step 6: Cool Down

Let the cake rest in the pans for 10 minutes.

Then carefully transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool completely.

Step 7: Dress It Up

Once cooled, frost with your favorite chocolate or buttercream frosting.

Get creative and make it look delicious!

Best Tips for Chocolate Cake Success

  • Add boiling water to create an incredibly soft, tender crumb that melts in your mouth.
  • Avoid overmixing batter to maintain a light, fluffy cake consistency without tough edges.
  • Use the toothpick test by inserting it into the cake's center – clean means perfectly baked.
  • Swap some water with strong brewed coffee to intensify the rich chocolate taste.
  • Keep cake covered at room temperature for 3-4 days to maintain maximum freshness and softness.

Creative Mix-Ins and Cake Twists

  • Vegan Chocolate Cake: Replace eggs with mashed bananas or applesauce, use almond milk instead of dairy milk, and swap vegetable oil with coconut oil for a plant-based version.
  • Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake: Substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend, ensuring all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
  • Reduced Sugar Chocolate Cake: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead of sugar, and incorporate unsweetened applesauce to maintain moisture while cutting down on added sugars.
  • Nutty Chocolate Cake: Add chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter for extra crunch and nutty flavor, sprinkle additional nuts on top of the frosting for garnish.

Ways to Serve Homemade Cake Creatively

  • Decadent Chocolate Haven: Elevate your homemade chocolate cake with these delightful serving suggestions.
  • Frosting Flair: Spread rich chocolate ganache or classic buttercream between layers for extra indulgence.
  • Berry Bliss: Top with fresh strawberries, raspberries, or a sprinkle of powdered sugar for a burst of color and tangy contrast.
  • Ice Cream Dream: Serve a warm slice alongside vanilla bean ice cream or whipped cream for a heavenly dessert experience.
  • Coffee Companion: Pair with a steaming espresso or cappuccino to complement the deep chocolate flavors and enhance the overall taste.

Easy Cake Storage Techniques

  • Store covered cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
  • Wrap unfrosted cake layers individually in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before frosting.
  • Keep frosted cake at room temperature in a cake dome or covered container for 2-3 days. Ensure the area is cool and dry.
  • Warm individual slices in microwave for 10-15 seconds. For larger portions, use oven at 300°F for 5-7 minutes, wrapped in foil to retain moisture.

FAQs

  • Can I substitute ingredients if I don't have everything on hand?

Yes, you can replace milk with buttermilk or water, swap vegetable oil with melted butter, and use gluten-free flour for a different dietary need.

  • Why does the recipe call for boiling water?

Boiling water helps activate the cocoa powder, creates a more intense chocolate flavor, and makes the cake incredibly moist by breaking down the cocoa’s structure.

  • How do I know when the cake is perfectly baked?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, the cake is ready. No wet batter should be visible.

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Home made Chocolate Cake Recipe

Home made Chocolate Cake Recipe


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4.8 from 17 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Irresistible Chocolate Cake tempts taste buds with rich, velvety layers of pure indulgence. Moist crumb and silky frosting promise a delightful dessert you’ll savor with each heavenly bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Cake Ingredients:

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Dutch-processed)
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ½ cup vegetable oil (or canola oil)
  • 1 cup boiling water (or hot coffee for a deeper flavor)

Leavening Agents:

  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda

Binding and Flavoring Ingredients:

  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Frosting Ingredients:

Main Ingredients:

  • 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup whole milk (or heavy cream for a richer frosting)

Flavoring Ingredients:

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt (to balance the sweetness)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350°F and preparing cake pans with grease and flour, ensuring even coating to prevent sticking.
  2. Combine all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl, thoroughly whisking flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar until uniformly blended.
  3. Incorporate wet ingredients into the dry mixture, adding eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract, then mix using an electric mixer at medium speed for approximately 2 minutes until the batter achieves a smooth, consistent texture.
  4. Gradually introduce boiling water into the batter, stirring gently to create a thin, liquid consistency that will enhance the cake’s moisture and tenderness.
  5. Distribute the batter evenly across prepared cake pans, ensuring no air pockets and maintaining consistent depth throughout the pan.
  6. Place pans in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes for round pans or 35-40 minutes for rectangular pan, monitoring doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean when cake is fully baked.
  7. Allow cakes to rest in their pans for 10 minutes, which helps them set and makes removal easier.
  8. Transfer cakes to a wire cooling rack, allowing them to reach room temperature completely before applying frosting.
  9. Apply preferred chocolate or buttercream frosting, spreading evenly across the cake’s surface for a professional, delicious finish.

Notes

  • Use room temperature ingredients to ensure even mixing and a smoother batter texture.
  • Sift dry ingredients together to prevent lumps and create a more uniform cake.
  • Replace vegetable oil with applesauce for a lighter, lower-fat version of the cake.
  • For a gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking.
  • Add a pinch of espresso powder to enhance the chocolate flavor without making the cake taste like coffee.
  • Test cake doneness by gently pressing the center – it should spring back when touched, not leave an indentation.
  • Let cake cool completely before frosting to prevent the icing from melting or sliding off.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 406 kcal
  • Sugar: 38 g
  • Sodium: 211 mg
  • Fat: 21 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 53 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 47 mg
Michael Reyes

Michael Reyes

Founder & Lead Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Southwestern and Latin American cuisine
  • Developing easy single-serving recipes
  • Food styling and food photography

Education

Santa Fe Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Practical, hands-on learning in essential kitchen skills, including food safety, hygiene, knife techniques, and kitchen organization.

Michael’s love for cooking runs deep, rooted in the bold, colorful flavors of his New Mexico upbringing.
After earning his Culinary Arts Certificate from Santa Fe Community College, he spent years sharpening his skills in kitchens that celebrated traditional Southwestern and Latin American dishes.
He believes cooking should feel approachable and fun, never complicated. When he’s not stirring up new recipe ideas, Michael’s out hiking scenic trails, chatting with farmers at local markets, or chasing the perfect sunset shot for inspiration.

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