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Homemade Chocolate Cake Recipe

An easy homemade chocolate cake made in one bowl with just a whisk. Soft, moist, and packed with real chocolate flavor, this simple chocolate cake recipe is perfect for birthdays or any day you want a slice.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Cooling Time 15 minutes
Servings: 10 slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder regular or dutch processed
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 large eggs room temperature preferred
  • 1 cup milk whole or low fat
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil or canola oil
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup boiling water do not skip
Frosting
  • 1 1/2 batches chocolate buttercream frosting or your favorite chocolate frosting

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease two 9 inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and baking soda. Whisk in the sugar and salt until combined.
  3. Add the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract. Whisk well for about thirty seconds, until the batter is smooth and lump free.
  4. Slowly whisk in the boiling water. The batter will turn very thin. That is normal.
  5. Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans. Bake for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  6. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  7. Once fully cool, frost with chocolate buttercream frosting.

Notes

  • Store covered at room temperature for up to 5 days.
  • Freezing is not recommended, as the crumb turns dense once thawed.
  • Let the cakes cool completely before frosting, or the frosting will slide off.
  • Turn the cakes out upside down so the flat bottom becomes your frosting surface for a neater finish.
  • For a bundt version, bake in a greased bundt pan for about 50 minutes instead.