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Chocolate Cake

By Nagi Maehashi
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This is a really easy yet exceptional Chocolate Cake that truly tastes of chocolate. The crumb is beautifully tender and moist, and it keeps for up to 5 days. It requires no beater, just a wooden spoon.

Frost generously with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting for a terrific birthday cake or chocolate ganache for a luxurious rich option. For a richer, fudgier chocolate cake, try this Chocolate Fudge Cake. The ultimate glaze to impress, however, is without a doubt Chocolate Mirror Glaze…..

A photo showing half a Chocolate Cake frosted with Chocolate Buttercream on a white cake stand with a large slice partially pulled out.

This is the Chocolate Cake

If you’ve been reading for a while, you know that sometimes I get real stubborn about doing certain things the “right way”. And there’s also a time and a place for shortcut recipes and quick dinners.

Then there’s recipes like this Chocolate Cake which tick all the boxes – it’s easier than the way I’ve been making everyday cake for most of my life, and the results are better.

You’ll love how it really does taste of chocolate even though it’s only been made with cocoa powder (the secret is to add boiling water – it makes the chocolate flavour “bloom”).

You’ll love how tender the crumb is, and how it stays moist for 4 to 5 days.

You’ll love how the cake can stand on its own so you could just dust it with icing sugar then serve slices with dollops of cream on the side. Though of course, smothering it with frosting never hurts….

Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting on a white cake platter with a piece cut out, photographed from overhead.

This is the famous Hershey’s Chocolate Cake recipe which I tried on the recommendation of Michelle from the Brown Eyed Baker (one of the first places I go in hunt for baked goods). I tried it without massively high expectations, because I thought “how much better can this be than the usual, being such a simple recipe?”

I love being proved wrong when it comes to food. So wrong in fact, that even though I tinkered with the recipe multiple times, I landed right back where I started using the recipe exactly as written.

I truly think this might be the only recipe on my entire website that I’m publishing from another source without changing the ingredients at all. It’s unheard of! But to me, it’s perfect as it is. I don’t see myself using any other recipe for an everyday Chocolate Cake, ever again.

How to make Chocolate Cake

Incredibly quick and easy

It’s astonishingly quick to make the batter, with all the ingredients mixed up in one bowl using a whisk.

There’s no need to cream butter like the usual recipes because this one is made with oil which is the reason why this cake is beautifully moist. No more dry chocolate cake! 🙌🏻 (Also means this is more forgiving than most, having once accidentally left it in the oven for 15 minutes longer than necessary and it still wasn’t dry).

Close up photo of a slice of Chocolate Cake with Buttercream Chocolate Frosting on a white dessert plate with a fork partially cutting into it.

I’m publishing this recipe as part of the Easter Recipes posted yesterday! So here it is, dolled up for Easter. The same cake in the photos above, the same frosting, topped with speckled Easter eggs, baby chicks (both from Woolworths in Australia), and a chocolate basket. I’ve provided directions in the notes of the recipe for how I made that chocolate basket (hint – it involves a balloon…).

A Chocolate Cake with Buttercream Frosting decorated with small speckled Easter eggs and tiny fluffy yellow chicks.

My everyday Chocolate Cake

Easter aside, I call this my everyday Chocolate Cake because it’s just that – my new favourite to make for any occasion. There will be times that call for a  mud-cake like Fudge Cake made with both cocoa powder and melted chocolate. There will be times that call for intensely dark chocolate cakes. There will be times that you need / want the nutty brownie-like Flourless Chocolate Cake. And there will be times you’re after one that’s light-as-air, a delicate chiffon cake.

This one is for all the other times when you just want a great, classic Chocolate Cake. Which in my world, is 80% of the time! – Nagi x

A moist Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting on a white cake platter with a slice cut and partially pulled out and a stack of dessert plates next to it.

A slice of Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting on a white dessert plate with a fork, ready to be eaten.

Watch how to make it

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Chocolate Cake with buttercream frosting on a white cake stand, ready to be cut and served

Chocolate Cake

Author: Nagi
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 35 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
4.98 from 448 votes
Servings8 -10 slices
Tap or hover to scale
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Recipe VIDEO above. This is the everyday Chocolate Cake I make over and over again. The crumb is tender and moist, it truly tastes of chocolate (rarer than you might think!) and you only need one bowl and a whisk. It’s the famous Hershey’s “Perfectly Chocolate” Cake , one of the few recipes I’ve used from another source with no changes to the ingredients at all (yes it’s Perfect!)

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cups plain / all purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup cocoa powder , unsweetened (Note 2)
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking soda (bi-carb soda)
  • 2 cups white sugar (Note 1)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 eggs (~55-65g / 2 oz each)
  • 1 cup milk (low or full fat)
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil (or canola)
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup boiling water

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 180C°/350°F (160°C fan). Read Note 4 regarding shelf positions.
  • Grease 2 x 22cm/9" cake pans with butter, then line the base. (Note 3 re: springform pans and other pan sizes).

Batter:

  • Sift flour, cocoa, baking powder and baking soda into a large bowl. Add Sugar and salt. Whisk briefly to combine.
  • Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla. Whisk well to combine until lump free – about 30 seconds.
  • Add boiling water and whisk to incorporate. The batter is VERY thin (see video).
  • Pour batter into cake pans.

Baking:

  • Bake for 35 minutes or until a wooden skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. See Note 4 regarding cook time if pans are on different shelves.
  • Cool for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks upside down (Note 5).
  • Cool completely before frosting. I frosted the cake with my Chocolate Buttercream Frosting (scale recipe up by 50%).

Recipe Notes:

1. Sugar – I use caster / superfine out of habit for all baking recipes, but regular is ok too.
2. Regular cocoa powder works just fine here, but dutch processed will make it a slightly more intense chocolate flavour. I use regular for this cake.
3. SPRINGFORM PAN (important): Even the best ones are not 100% leakproof so with very thin batters like with this cake, you will get a small amount of leakage. The best way to combat this is to “plug” the space where the sides meets the base with butter, and place a tray on the bottom of the oven to catch drips (don’t put cake pans on the tray, it affects heat circulation).
OTHER PANS (use same oven temp per recipe):
  • bundt pan – 50 minutes
  • single 22cm/9″ pan – 40 to 45 minutes
  • 2 x 20cm / 8″ pans – 38 minutes
  • 3 x 20cm / 8″ pans – 25 minutes
  • 33 x 22 x 5 cm / 13 x 9 x 2″ rectangle pan – 35 – 40 minutes
Quick way to make cake pan liner for base: take a piece of baking paper and fold in half, then quarters, then keep folding so it’s a small long triangle. Line up the pointy end with the middle of the cake pan, then snip the end off at the edge of the cake pan. Unfold and voila! A near perfect round cake pan liner that fits your pan perfectly!
4. BAKING / SHELVES – If your oven is large enough for both cake pans to be on one shelf, place the shelf in the middle of the oven. If it’s not large enough, put one shelf 1/3 of the way down the oven, then the next shelf below it (check to ensure cake pan fits). If cakes are on separate shelves, take out the top one at 35 minutes per recipe, then move the bottom one up to the top shelf and bake for a further 5 minutes.
5. I turn the cakes out upside down so the flat base becomes the surface used for frosting. Flat surface just looks nicer when you cut into the cake! This cake comes out pretty level, but if you want to be extra neat, feel free to level the cakes using a serrated knife.
6. EASTER DECORATIONS as pictured in post and in the Easter Recipes post: baby chicks $2, speckled chocolate eggs and shredded paper all from Woolies. Chocolate basket made as follows: blow up balloon to the size you want the basket to be, place with tied end down in a rice bowl or something it fits in. Melt baking chocolate in microwave (about 1/2 cup chips/buttons), then transfer into small ziplock bag. Snip corner, then drizzle chocolate over exposed half of balloon. Let set in fridge, then carefully release air from balloon. Voila! Chocolate basket! Fill with shredded paper, eggs and chicks. (PS. Looking for a non-choc cake? Try this pastel blue Easter Cake, also charmingly topped with Easter eggs)!
7. STORAGE: Keeps in an airtight container for up to 5 days and is still lovely and moist. Refrigerate if frosted and it’s very hot where you are. Freezing not ideal because it’s such a moist cake that it makes the crumb a bit wet so while it still looks like cake, when you eat it the texture is almost like chocolate pudding cake. Still tasty, just not as cakey as it should be.
8. DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, different measures – This recipe will work with cup measures whether you are in Australia, US, Canada or anywhere else in the world (except Japan, please use weights provided).
Measuring cup sizes in the US and Canada are slightly different to the rest of the world, including Australia. While for most recipes, the difference is not enough to affect the outcome of the recipe, for baking recipes, it can mean the difference between success or an epic fail. I always test my cakes and cookies using both Australian (rest of world) and US cups to ensure it works for both. Usually it’s fine, such as this Chocolate Cake (either recipe has enough flex and/or difference is relative across the ingredients). If not, I provide ingredient measures for different countries (such as these Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies).
9. Nutrition is per serving, cake only, assuming 12 servings.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 351cal (18%)
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @recipe_tin.

Life of Dozer

Dozer vs tiny toy chick.

Chick won.

Cute Golden Retriever with head on white table with tiny toy fluffy yellow chick right in front of his nose.

Hi, I'm Nagi!

I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative!

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1,390 Comments

  1. Roxanne says

    Hi Nagi,
    Can I use this recipe to make cupcakes? Or will they be flatter and too heavy? Love the cake, but they are doing a fundraiser at my kids school so cupcakes are better for selling. 😉 Thanks

    Reply

  2. Leah smith says

    Hi
    Can I make this a white chocolate cake?

    Reply

  3. Rhea says

    Tried this recipe yesterday. So simple to follow. The prep itself was really quick and the cake is simply delicious. Just melts in your mouth. Thanks for this Nagi! Going to be my go to chocolate cake going forward.

    Reply

  4. Richelle says

    5 stars
    Such a straightforward recipe to follow and it turns out so well. I made the cake and icing the day before, stored them separately in the fridge, then brought to room temp and assembled/iced on the day. Turned out perfect.

    Reply

    • Nagi says

      It’s a classic!! N x

      Reply

  5. Natalie says

    5 stars
    Awesome recipe
    Very simple

    Reply

  6. Stephanie Prosser says

    5 stars
    Hi Nagi
    This cake has become my go-to cake as everybody loves it.! Can I make it dairy free? (without the icing, of course)

    Reply

  7. Julie Ross says

    What’d I do wrong!! I can bake. A bit rubbery, lacking chocolate flavour & a tad oily. With all the fab reviews Its obviously me. Never mind, failure makes you stronger. lol. Love all your recipes Nagi.

    Reply

  8. Natasha says

    Hi Nagi
    Could I swap the vegetable oil and use coconut oil instead?

    Reply

    • Jessica says

      Yes, I have used both coconut and avocado oil on different occasions and the results were great. Just melt the coconut oil first.

      Reply

  9. imsen says

    looks so yumm…!!

    Reply

  10. Averil says

    5 stars
    Perfect recipe! It’s even better on day two I reckon, more moist, more chocolatey, more of everything! I don’t think we’ve ever made it much past day three though 🤭 way too tempting to resist that long!

    Reply

    • Nagi says

      Day 3 on chocolate cake?? NEVER! N x

      Reply

  11. Ashlea says

    Hi Nagi
    If I were to add red dye, could this cake work as a simple version of a red velvet cake?

    Reply

  12. Holly says

    5 stars
    Pulled the chocolate cake recipes from my binder and replaced them with this one. Perfection.

    Iced with your less sweet icing (chocolate version).

    Thanks Nagi!

    Holly xx

    Reply

    • Nagi says

      Thank you Holly! N x

      Reply

  13. Imz says

    Hi! I have tired this with 2 8inch pans would it work with 3*6inch pans if I double the recipe? Thanks ☺️

    Reply

    • Nagi says

      Hi Imz – I haven’t tested that size with this recipe so not sure – sorry! N x

      Reply

  14. Helen says

    If I wanted to use this recipe for cupcakes how many would it make and how long should I bake for please? This is my go to for family birthday cakes and I’ve had so many people ask me for the recipe! Thank you 🥰

    Reply

  15. Dennis says

    5 stars
    Thank you 🙏🏻! My wife and daughter love this recipe ! You are awesome 👏

    Reply

  16. Anna says

    Hi. I made your delicious chocolate cake. As you mentioned, it did crack a fair bit which was fine but when I turned it upside down it broke in half. What am I doing wrong. We still enjoyed it very much but I wondered what I could do to prevent this. Thank you so much for all your fabulous recipes

    Reply

    • Corian says

      Im no profesional but i bake a lot. here are some reasons your cake could crumble/fall apart. 1: not enough cooling g time. 2: over baked 3: not enough moisture in the batter/not enough egg. Hope this helped

      Reply

  17. Nayha says

    5 stars
    Best chocolate cake I have tried so far. So moist and lovely. Made it for my daughters 4th birthday, with some buttercream frosting. Just perfect. So happy I found this recipe.

    Reply

  18. SachaT says

    Thanks for another amazing recipe that I will try! Are your 9″ pans 2″ or 3″ in height?

    Reply

    • Nagi says

      Mine are 2 inches Sacha! N x

      Reply

  19. Rita says

    Hi Nagi, can I put less sugar so the cake will be less sweet? Thanks

    Reply

    • Natasha says

      Hi Nagi, can I use buttermilk instead of milk for this recipe? Would it change the flavour?

      Reply

  20. Nena says

    5 stars
    I am now known as the Chocolate Cake Queen thanks to this recipe! I only had coconut oil at home and this worked perfectly.

    Nagi, I have tried recipe after recipe and they’ve all come out amazing and delicious!

    You are my one stop shop for all of my recipes.

    Reply