Get ready to indulge in rich chocolate goodness with my easy chocolate cake recipe, you can turn an easy cake dream into a reality in no time. Whether it’s for a special occasion or a spontaneous sweet treat, chocolate cake will become your favorite. Let’s dive into the world of irresistible chocolatey goodness.
Prep Time
- Time to Prepare: 35 minutes
- Time to Cook: 25 minutes
- Type of Dish: Desserts
- Style of Cooking: American cuisine
- Total Time: 60 minutes
Ingredients
Easy homemade chocolate cake recipe requires simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry:
All Purpose Flour: Provides structure and stability to the cake.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps with moisture retention.
Baking Powder: Acts as a leavening agent to help the cake rise.
Baking Soda: Works with the baking powder to ensure proper leavening.
Salt: Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness.
Egg: Adds richness, and moisture, and helps bind the ingredients together.
Vegetable Oil: Contributes to the cake’s moist texture and tenderness.
Cup Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and moisture, improving the cake’s texture (use ½ cup milk + ½ tablespoon vinegar to make your own).
Tsp Instant Coffee: Enhances the chocolate flavor without being overtly noticeable.
Cup Boiling Water: Intensifies the cocoa powder’s flavor and dissolves it evenly.
A Cup of Cocoa Powder: Provides the primary chocolate flavor for the cake.
Cup Cream: Adds richness and smoothness to the ganache.
Chocolate of Choice: Provides the chocolate base for a rich and creamy ganache topping.
Directions To Make Easy Chocolate Cake
Making a chocolate cake is simple if you follow these steps.
Step 1 – Mix The Dry Ingredients Except The Cocoa Powder
This recipe is super easy and requires only one bowl. Just mix the following ingredients
Flour
- Sgar
- Baking Powder
- Baking Soda
- Salt
in a bowl but make sure to sift the ingredients to remove any lumps, and then use a hand whisk to combine everything.
Step 2 – Add The Wet Ingredients Except The Water
Now, crack an egg and add the oil and buttermilk. If you prefer to be cautious, you can whisk these ingredients in a different bowl and then pour them in. I personally always add them directly and have never encountered any problems. Use a hand whisk to gently combine everything until the mixture is smooth and there are no more visible traces of flour.
Step 3 – Bloom The Cocoa Powder
You have the option to add the cocoa powder in Step 1 and the water in Step 2 if you prefer. I prefer adding the boiling water to the cocoa powder and instant coffee separately. The easy chocolate cake technique helps to “bloom” the cocoa powder, which simply means activating it. As you do this, you’ll notice the cocoa powder turning into a richer, more chocolatey color and emitting a delightful aroma.
Step 4 – Bring It All Together
To prevent a dense final product, gently fold in the cocoa powder until just combined. Avoid overworking the batter for light and fluffy baked goods. Take your time and lightly fold in the cocoa powder for impressive, delicious treats.
Step 5 – Bake
I find pleasure in baking this easy chocolate cake using a 9-inch round cake pan. This yields a cake with a moderate height, but utilizing a larger pan guarantees a quicker baking time (20-25 minutes) and a more uniform rise.
Step 6 – Cover With Ganache
This is totally up to you, but trust me, it’s worth it as Ganache is the simplest frosting to whip up for chocolate cakes, and it adds that extra touch of deliciousness. You must pour hot cream over chopped chocolate, wait for 5 minutes, and then give it a good mix. You can choose any type of plain chocolate that tickles your taste buds! I prefer using milk chocolate for this best chocolate cake recipe since it already has a rich flavor.
How To Amp Up This Easy Chocolate Cake?
This recipe is incredibly adjustable. So, you can utilize this easy chocolate cake as a foundation for any kind of cake you want. For example:
- Increase the measurements and transform it into a 9×13″ sheet pan for a larger portion.
- Multiply the ingredients and bake the mixture in two 9″ pans to create a delicious layered chocolate cake.
- Replace the ganache with either chocolate buttercream or chocolate cream cheese frosting to allow for piping patterns and create a more visually appealing cake.
- Explore numerous other options and variations to enhance your baking experience.
- Discover a wide range of possibilities to customize and elevate your cake-making skills.
Note: When you change the quantities and size of the pan, make sure to modify the baking time accordingly and use a toothpick to test for moist crumbs.
How can I make buttermilk myself?
It’s very easy to make buttermilk, combine 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar with every 1 cup of whole milk, and mix well. For this particular easy chocolate cake, as you only require ½ cup of buttermilk, mix ½ tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice with ½ cup of milk.
How to tell when the cake is done baking?
The cake is done when it looks fully baked and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs attached to it, not wet batter.
Why is my cake dense or tough?
Several factors can result in cakes becoming dense or tough:
- To avoid adding too much flour, make sure to fluff it up before measuring or use a weighing scale for accuracy.
- Check the freshness of your baking powder or soda, as stale ones may affect the outcome of your recipe.
- Be cautious not to overmix the batter, as it can lead to excessive gluten development in the flour.
How should I store this easy chocolate cake?
The cake can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. Alternatively, if you freeze the cake, it will remain fresh for several months.
Can I replace the egg with this easy chocolate cake?
Although I may not be very familiar with baking without eggs, you can make a flax-seed egg by mixing 1 tablespoon of flaxseed powder with 3 tablespoons of water as a replacement for the egg.
What kind of cream is used for chocolate ganache?
Any type of heavy cream you can use for this easy chocolate cake, as long as the chocolate cake recipe is from scratch in liquid form and not whipped cream.
How long do I need to wait before pouring the ganache on the cake?
Once you remove your cake from the oven, it’s advisable to let it cool for about 15 minutes. Likewise, give your ganache 5-10 minutes to cool before drizzling it over the cake. If you desire a thicker ganache and greater command over its distribution, you can extend the cooling time a little further.
Pro Tips For Making This Easy Chocolate Cake
- Use room-temperature ingredients like eggs and butter for a lighter cake and frosting.
- Measure flour accurately, use a kitchen scale, or spoon it into a cup.
- Substitute whole milk with sour cream to keep the cake moist for longer.
- Use hot brewed coffee instead of water to enhance the chocolate taste.
- Add espresso powder to the wet ingredients for an extra boost in flavor.
The chocolate cake recipe simply does not create any disturbance to affect our health.
Nutritional Facts
Calories: 764kcal | Carbohydrates: 114g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 362mg | Potassium: 163mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 93g | Vitamin A: 793IU | Calcium: 82mg | Iron: 2mg
Try Out My Other Recipes!
Best Homemade Easy Chocolate Cake Recipe
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 cup All Purpose Flour
- ¾ cup Granulated Sugar
- 1 tsp Baking Powder
- ½ tsp Baking Soda
- ½ tsp Salt
- 1 Egg
- ⅓ cup Vegetable Oil
- ½ cup Buttermilk
- 1 tsp Instant Coffee
- ¼ cup Boiling Water
- ¼ cup Cocoa Powder
Ganache:
- ¼ cup Cream
- 75 g Chocolate of choice (I used milk chocolate)
Instructions
Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Sift the ingredients to remove any lumps, then use a hand whisk to combine them.
Add the Wet Ingredients
- Crack an egg and add oil and buttermilk.
- You can mix them in a different bowl first, but it’s okay to add them directly to the dry ingredients.
- Use a hand whisk to gently mix everything until smooth and there is no more dry flour.
Bloom the Cocoa Powder
- Instead of adding the cocoa powder to the dry ingredients, mix it separately with boiling water and instant coffee.
- This process, called “blooming,” makes the cocoa powder more flavorful and aromatic.
Combine Everything
- Gently fold the bloomed cocoa powder into the batter.
- Do not overmix to keep the cake light and fluffy.
Bake
- Pour the batter into a 9-inch round cake pan.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until done.
Cover with Ganache (Optional)
- Make the ganache by pouring hot cream over chopped chocolate.
- Wait 5 minutes, then mix until smooth.
- Use any type of chocolate you like; milk chocolate is recommended for this recipe.
Video
Notes
- To create your buttermilk, combine ½ cup of whole milk with ½ tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice. Don’t be concerned if it appears clumpy.
- Be careful not to over-mix the batter, as this can result in a tough texture.
- If you prefer, you can bake this cake in either an 8×8″ or 9×9″ square pan. For a 9×13″ sheet cake, double the ingredients and adjust the baking time accordingly.