This simple and easy chocolate cake recipe is the perfect one to have at the ready for any occasion. It’s perfect for birthdays, celebrations, potlucks, or just sweet tooth Sunday nights. The basic cake batter pairs beautifully with our chocolate buttercream frosting, and you can decorate it all sorts of ways. With a moist yet light texture, rich yet mild chocolate flavor, it’s truly the best chocolate cake and SO easy to make!
Ingredients in Easy Chocolate Cake
The best part of this chocolate cake recipe is how easy it is to keep the ingredients on hand. I always have the makings for this homemade chocolate cake recipe in my kitchen just in case I need to whip up a dessert for a friend, neighbor or my family. Here’s all you need:
Flour – two cups all purpose flour, sifted to make the cake layer even and light Sugar – two cups white granulated sugar Cocoa powder – three quarter cup of your favorite cocoa powder. Dutch process cocoa powder or unsweetened cocoa powder works great. Salt – one teaspoon kosher or table salt Baking powder – one teaspoon Baking soda – two teaspoons Vegetable oil – half a cup, regular vegetable or canola oil Buttermilk – one cup. If you don’t have any buttermilk on hand, simply add a teaspoon of lemon juice or vinegar to a cup of regular milk, and bam! Buttermilk. Eggs – two whole, large eggs Vanilla – one teaspoon of your favorite vanilla extract Hot water – one cup hot to boiling water.
Steps to Succulent Cake
Icing on the Cake
To frost this cake, I use our fabulous chocolate buttercream frosting recipe. But you can use your favorite chocolate frosting, a chocolate ganache, vanilla buttercream frosting, cream cheese frosting or our yummy peanut butter frosting. If you’re using a white frosting, consider using a crumb coat (a thinner layer of frosting) before adding the top coat of frosting so the chocolate doesn’t show through.
Variations and Decorations
This moist chocolate cake recipe is truly a blank canvas where you can take flavors to all kinds of different levels.
Make this a Black Forest cake with a can of cherry pie filling on top with whipped cream. Top with a dusting of powdered sugar or espresso powder. Decorate with sprinkles, nuts, fresh fruit (raspberries are a favorite!) or toasted coconut. Serve with a scoop of your favorite ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
How to Keep a Cake Moist
I love a moist cake so the tips I use are to first, avoid overbaking. Second, maintain the right baking temperature by keeping the oven door closed and only open when testing for doneness. Finally, frost the cake as soon as it is cools. Store frosted cake in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap. READ MORE: 33+ Easy Dessert Ideas
More Favorite Chocolate Cakes
Death by chocolate? We have you covered with some of our most favorite chocolate dessert recipes:
How to Make this Easy Chocolate Cake Recipe
Instant Pot Lava Cake
Chocolate Malt Cake
Chocolate Cherry Cake
German Chocolate Upside Down Cake
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