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Chocolate Cake

A classic moist chocolate cake recipe that's foolproof and versatile for any occasion.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword Baking, Chocolate Cake, Foolproof Cake, Homemade Dessert, Moist Cake
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 12 servings
Calories 350kcal

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups All-purpose flour Go for the freshest flour you have for the best crumb.
  • 2 1/2 cups Granulated sugar Helps the cake stay moist and sweet.
  • 1 cup Unsweetened cocoa powder Use a good-quality for rich chocolate flavor.
  • 2 tsp Baking powder Leavening agent for rise.
  • 1 1/2 tsp Baking soda Works with baking powder for perfect rise.
  • 1 pinch Salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 1 cup Water Keeps the cake light.
  • 1/2 cup Oil (vegetable or canola) Any standard oil works well.
  • 2 tsp Vanilla extract Brings out classic chocolate cake aroma.
  • 3 large Eggs Room temperature for best results.

Instructions

Preparation

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare two 9-inch cake pans by greasing with butter or baking spray and dusting with flour.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Mixing

  • Gradually add water, oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients, stirring until you achieve a glossy, lump-free batter. Avoid overmixing.

Baking

  • Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
  • Tap the pans gently on the counter to remove any air bubbles.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes. Check for doneness with a toothpick.

Cooling

  • Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

Notes

For best results, let ingredients come to room temperature before mixing. You can modify the recipe for gluten-free or dairy-free options, and try various frostings or add-ins.
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