Simple Chocolate Cake Recipe: Rich, Moist & Easy to Make

Love chocolate cake? This rich and moist chocolate cake recipe is foolproof, easy to make, and irresistible! Whether you’re a beginner or a pro baker, this will be your new favorite. Plus, making homemade chocolate cake has never been easier! In this blog, I’m sharing a quick and simple recipe that guarantees a soft, flavorful, and delicious cake.”

This chocolate cake recipe is perfect for both beginner bakers and seasoned dessert lovers looking for a quick yet decadent chocolate fix. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply satisfying a sweet craving, this easy chocolate cake recipe has you covered.

Using simple, everyday ingredients, this rich, moist, and fudgy cake comes together effortlessly. Follow along as we break down the steps to create this mouthwatering dessert in no time. Let’s get started

How to Make the Best Chocolate Cake at Home

The ingredients you will need for an easy homemade chocolate cake recipe:

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 ¾ cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ⅓ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 2 eggs (room temperature)
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup milk (room temperature)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup brewed coffee (hot)

Preparing the Batter

Start by mixing all the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Sift the cocoa powder, flour, baking soda, and baking powder for a smoother texture. Add the sugar and salt, then mix everything well.

Next, create a small well in the center of the dry ingredients. Crack two eggs and pour in the vegetable oil and milk. Don’t worry if your milk is cold, stir it well. Now, add a splash of vanilla extract and start mixing from the center, gradually working outward until you get a smooth batter.

Adding the Secret Ingredient – Coffee

To enhance the chocolate flavor, brew a cup of hot coffee. Slowly pour it into the batter while stirring continuously. Don’t be alarmed if the batter looks thinner than it’s supposed to be! This step ensures the cake turns out soft, moist, and delicious.

Step 3: Preparing the Baking Molds

Grease your baking molds thoroughly, making sure to coat all edges. Line the bottom with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Now, evenly divide the batter between the molds.

Step 4: Baking the Cake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and place the molds inside. If they don’t fit on the same rack, stagger them on different levels. Bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Once done, let the cakes cool in the molds for 10 minutes before carefully removing them. The parchment paper will make this step much easier!

Step 5: Making the Chocolate Cake Cream Frosting

Ingredients for the Frosting:

• ⅔ cup heavy cream (chilled)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 dark chocolate bars (chopped)
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• ⅔ cup heavy cream (35% fat)

Instructions for Best Chocolate Cake Frosting

1. Whip the Cream: Using a cold bowl, whip ⅔ cup heavy cream with 1 teaspoon sugar until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overwhip.
2. Melt the Chocolate: Chop the chocolate finely for easy melting.
3. Prepare the Egg Mixture: Separate three egg yolks and mix with 1 tablespoon sugar until smooth. Pour in ⅔ cup heavy cream and stir well.
4. Heat the Mixture: Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until thickened (don’t let it boil).
5. Add the Chocolate: Remove from heat and mix in the chopped chocolate while the mixture is still warm.
6. Combine with Whipped Cream: Fold the chocolate mixture into the whipped cream gently but quickly.

Now, your rich and creamy frosting is ready to use!

Step:6 Assembling The Delicious Chocolate Cake 

Once your cake layers have cooled, spread an even layer of chocolate cream on top of the first layer. Place the second cake layer on top and cover the entire cake with frosting.

For a beautiful finish, gently spin the cake while using a fork or spoon handle to create textured lines on the surface.

Nutrient Value Perfect Chocolate Cake Recipe

This cake is high in carbs from sugar and flour, with good fiber from cocoa powder. Its fat content comes from oil and eggs, while protein comes from eggs, milk, and cocoa. However, it also has a good fiber content, mainly from the unsweetened cocoa powder, which helps balance digestion.

 For better balance, use whole wheat flour or reduce sugar slightly.

Here’s the per-serving nutritional breakdown for your cake! Assuming you slice the cake into 12 equal servings, the nutrition per slice is:

Nutrient	Per Slice (1/12 of Cake)
Calories	306 kcal
Carbohydrates	50 g
Protein	5 g
Fat	11 g
Fiber	3 g

Common Baking Mistakes in Chocolate Cake Recipe

Baking is a science; even the smallest mistakes can lead to disappointing results. If you’ve ever struggled with sunken cakes, dry textures, or flat layers, don’t worry, you’re not alone! In this guide, we’ll address the most common baking mistakes and provide simple fixes to ensure your cakes are perfect every time.

Importance of Measuring Ingredients Correctly

One of the biggest mistakes in baking is improper measurement of ingredients. Since baking is all about precision, even a small error can affect the outcome.

Solution:

• Always use a weighing scale or measuring cups and spoons to ensure accuracy.
• Avoid estimating ingredient quantities, as even slight variations can impact the texture and rise of your cake.

Why Does My Cake Sink in the Middle?

A sunken cake is a common problem, and there are three main reasons why this happens:

Too Much Baking Powder or Baking Soda

Excessive use of leavening agents makes the cake rise too quickly. This causes the air bubbles to escape before the cake is fully baked, leading to a sunken center.

Solution: Always follow the exact measurements mentioned in the recipe.

Opening the Oven Door Too Often

Frequent opening of the oven lets hot air escape and allows cold air to enter, causing a sudden drop in temperature. This results in the cake collapsing in the center.

Solution: Avoid opening the oven door until at least ¾ of the baking time has passed.

Overmixing the Batter

Overheating the cake batter creates too much air, which leads to a weak structure that collapses after baking.

Solution: Use the cut-and-fold method while mixing and finish within 2 to 6 minutes.

Why Is My Cake Dry?

A dry cake lacks moisture, making it crumbly or powdery. Here’s why this happens:

• High oven temperature: Baking at a higher temperature dries out the cake.
• Incorrect ingredient ratios: If there’s too much flour and not enough wet ingredients like milk or eggs, the cake will be dry.
• Using the wrong baking method: Baking in a pressure cooker or other utensils without proper heat control can also dry out the cake.

Solution:

• Always bake at the recommended temperature and time mentioned in the recipe.
• Keep a balance between dry and wet ingredients.
• If using an alternative baking method, maintain a low to medium heat setting.

How to Fix an Undercooked Cake?

An undercooked cake is raw in the center and doesn’t hold its shape. This happens when:

• The oven door is opened too frequently.
• The cake wasn’t baked for long enough.

 Solution:

• If your cake is undercooked, reduce the oven temperature by 20-25°C, cover the cake with foil, and continue baking until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Why Did My Cake Turn Out Flat?

A flat cake can be disappointing, but here are two possible causes:

Overmixing the Batter

Whisking the batter too much knocks out the air, resulting in a dense and flat cake.

Solution: Use the cut-and-fold method and avoid overmixing.

Expired Baking Powder or Soda

Using old or expired baking powder and baking soda means your cake won’t rise properly.

Solution: Always check the expiration date of your ingredients before baking.

Why Does My Cake Crack on Top?

A cracked cake often happens when the oven temperature is too high. The outer layer bakes faster than the inside, forcing the cake to crack as it rises.

Solution:

• Always preheat the oven and bake at the correct temperature.
• If your cake cracks, cover it with frosting to improve its appearance!

 Why Is My Cake Sticky on Top?

A sticky top layer can occur when moisture gets trapped after baking.

Solution:

• Let the cake cool completely on a wire rack before covering or wrapping it.

Solution:

• Always bake at the recommended temperature and time mentioned in the recipe.
• Keep a balance between dry and wet ingredients.
• If using an alternative baking method, maintain a low to medium heat setting.

Final Touch Time to Enjoy Delicious Chocolate Cake!

Your moist and fudgy chocolate cake recipe is now ready! Slice it up and enjoy the rich, chocolatey goodness. Whether you serve it at a party or enjoy it with a cup of coffee, this cake is sure to impress.

Love this recipe. Share it with friends and family! 

Happy Baking!