Here’s a simple and delicious chocolate cake recipe—moist, rich, and perfect for any occasion.
🍫 Ingredients
For the cake
1 and 3/4 cups (220g) all-purpose flour
3/4 cup (75g) unsweetened cocoa powder
1 and 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
1/2 cup (100g) brown sugar (optional but recommended)
1 and 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 and 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 large eggs (room temperature)
1 cup (240ml) milk** or buttermilk for extra moisture
1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup (240ml) boiling water or hot coffee (coffee enhances chocolate flavor but is optional)
For chocolate frosting
1/2 cup (115g) butter (softened)
2/3 cup (65g) cocoa powder
3 cups (360g) powdered sugar
1/3 cup (80ml) milk (plus extra if needed)
1 tsp vanilla extract
🥣 Instructions
- Prepare the cake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Grease and line two 8-inch (20cm) round cake pans (or one 9×13-inch pan).
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugars, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
- Slowly pour in hot water/coffee—batter will be thin, that’s okay!
- Divide batter into pans and bake 30–35 minutes (or 35–40 min for a single pan), until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool cakes completely before frosting.
- Make the frosting
- Beat the softened butter until creamy.
- Add cocoa powder and mix well.
- Gradually add powdered sugar and milk, alternating until smooth.
- Mix in vanilla. Add a splash of milk if you want it creamier.
🍰 Assemble
Place the first cake layer, spread frosting on top.
Add second layer, cover top and sides with remaining frosting.
Decorate with chocolate shavings, sprinkles, or fruit if desired.