Best Chocolate Cake Recipe (2024)

When I came across this recipe I knew I had to make it, and I was not disappointed! This Chocolate Cake Recipe is seriously rich and amazingly decadent. It’s my new go-to recipe! (But I still love the classics… my Perfect Chocolate Cake is my favorite for layer cakes!)

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Best Chocolate Cake Recipe (1)

The BEST Chocolate Cake

When my friend Autumn showed me this recipe of her Grandma Evie’s I was totally intrigued. The method is completely different than anything I had ever seen! She actually calls it No-Fail Chocolate Cake. So I made it that day, thinking to myself, “How different can it really be?” Well, I was pleasantly surprised at just how AMAZING this chocolate cake is.

Imagine my shock when I tried a piece the next day and it was EVEN BETTER. If at all possible, I recommend saving yourself a slice so that you can see just what a few hours will do to this crazy good recipe!

Chocolate Frosting

But first, let’s talk frosting. This is a basic Chocolate Frosting done right. I used dutch process cocoa so that my frosting would be a bit darker, but you can certainly use regular unsweetened cocoa powder. (it will also be lighter in color)

Best Chocolate Cake Recipe (2)

Coffee in Chocolate Cake?

I have many recipes on my site for chocolate cake and most of them use coffee. Coffee will enhance the flavor of the chocolate, not overpower it. If your recipe is good (and this one is) you will not taste the coffee at all, you will only taste the richest chocolate cake you have ever had.

This recipe utilizes brewed hot coffee in the first steps and then cooled coffee in the second part. Some recipes will call for instant coffee crystals or espresso coffee, this one doesn’t.

You may substitute WATER for the coffee if you prefer, but the chocolate flavor will not be as intense.

Best Chocolate Cake Recipe (3)

Can I Turn Sheet Cake Into a Layer Cake?

While I love this recipe as a sheet cake, I also like this cake as a layer cake. It will make a 2-layer cake (using 8-inch rounds) and the chocolate frosting recipe below will cover that if you do not use too much between the layers.

Can I Make Sheet Cake Into Cupcakes?

Full transparency: I have not made this recipe as cupcakes, ( I love my Ultimate Chocolate Cupcake recipe) but if you do, you will want to fill each liner 2/3 full with batter and bake for 16-22 minutes at 350°F. Start checking at 16 minutes as you do not want to overbake the cupcakes. Cool and frost with the chocolate frosting recipe. If you want to pipe pretty designs on the cupcakes you can add a bit more confectioners sugar for a thicker consistency.

Best Chocolate Cake Recipe (4)

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Best Chocolate Cake Recipe (11)

4.89 from 54 votes

Chocolate Cake Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Grandma approves… and the kids beg for the last piece!

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Ingredients

Chocolate Cake

  • FIRST PART
  • cup light brown sugar
  • cup strong coffee
  • ½ cup dutch process cocoa
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • SECOND PART
  • cups (192g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ cup (1 stick, 113g) salted butter, warm but not melted
  • ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (100g) packed brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ½ cup cold coffee
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Chocolate Frosting

  • 3 cups (384g) confectioners’ sugar
  • 6 tablespoons (90g) Dutch Process cocoa powder
  • 6 tablespoons salted butter room temperature
  • 3-5 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Chocolate Cake

  • FIRST PART

  • Place all ingredients in the first part into a saucepan over low heat. Stir until they are fully incorporated, 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool a bit. It should be a little thick and similar to custard.

  • SECOND PART

  • In a medium bowl, sift flour, baking soda, and baking powder together.

  • Add 1/2 cup warm butter, sugars, eggs, cooled coffee, and vanilla to the flour mixture and mix with a hand-held mixer until fully combined. (or stir by hand)

  • Add the chocolate mixture from the FIRST PART to the ingredients from the SECOND PART. Stir by hand until all ingredients are well combined.

  • Pour onto a prepared (sprayed or lined with parchment) baking sheet (I used a 10x15in baking sheet). Smooth out the batter and gently tap on the counter.

  • Bake in a 350°F oven for 16-22 minutes, or until the center no longer appears wet and an inserted toothpick is removed with a few crumbs.

  • Allow to cool before frosting.

Chocolate Frosting

  • In a medium bowl, sift together the confectioners’ sugar and cocoa, and set aside.

  • In a large bowl, cream butter until smooth, then gradually beat in sugar mixture alternately with heavy whipping cream. Blend in vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy. If necessary, adjust consistency with more whipping cream or sugar.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 16g | Calories: 450kcal

Course: Dessert

Keyword: chocolate cake recipe, chocolate frosting

Servings: 16 pieces

Calories: 450

Author: Amanda Rettke

Did you make this recipe?

Thank you for making my recipe! You took pictures, right? Well go ahead and post them on Instagram! Be sure to mention me @iambaker and use the hashtag #YouAreBaker.

Categorized in: Cakes

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Meet Amanda Rettke

Amanda Rettke is the creator of I Am Baker, and the bestselling author of Surprise Inside Cakes: Amazing Cakes for Every Occasion – With a Little Something Extra Inside.Over the course of her 15+ year blogging adventure, she has been featured in and collaborated with the Food Network, New York Times, LA Times, Country Living Magazine, People Magazine, Epicurious, Brides, Romantic Homes, life:beautiful, Publishers Weekly, The Daily Mail, Star Tribune, The Globe and Mail, DailyCandy, YumSugar, The Knot, The Kitchn, and Parade, to name a few.

Best Chocolate Cake Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret ingredient in cake? ›

Vinegar is a secret ingredient that can make your cakes light and fluffy.” One of the great things about using vinegar in cakes is that it's versatile. You can incorporate it into various cake recipes, from classic chocolate cakes to fruity variations.

Is butter or oil better for chocolate cake? ›

In fact, when it comes to chocolate cakes specifically, baker and food blogger Rose Levy Beranbaum suggests that a combination of oil and butter (at about a 1:5 ratio) can give you the desired flavor and lighter texture, since chocolate cakes are notorious for drying quickly (per Epicurious).

What does brown sugar do in chocolate cake? ›

Brown Sugar Lends Caramel Undertones And Helps Lock In Moisture. Incorporating brown sugar into your chocolate cake recipes can elevate them from good to unforgettable. Tasting Table's recipe developer, Molly Allen, demonstrates this beautifully in her elegant yet simple death by chocolate cake recipe.

What is the king of chocolate cake? ›

The Sachertorte is a traditional chocolate cake. While staying true to the basic, good old-fashioned recipe, passion fruit is added to apricot jam to produce a lovely aroma and tartness for a pleasant, modern flavor.

What is the secret to a perfect cake? ›

The next time you're baking a cake, keep these simple tricks in mind:
  1. Prep the ingredients. Have all of the ingredients at room temperature, unless the recipe directs otherwise. ...
  2. Use the right flour. ...
  3. Prep your pans. ...
  4. Alternate wet and dry ingredients. ...
  5. Preheat. ...
  6. Release air bubbles. ...
  7. Test for doneness. ...
  8. Cool down.
Jun 29, 2022

What is the main ingredient that makes a cake moist? ›

One common ingredient swap that is known to help make cakes remarkably moist is using milk instead of water. Try switching out any water in your recipe for full-fat milk or buttermilk for a moist, decadent texture. Another ingredient that can enhance the moisture of your cake is mayonnaise.

What makes a cake taste rich? ›

The milk adds fat, which results in a better flavor and density in your cake. If you want to make your cake extra rich, swap out the milk for buttermilk. Because buttermilk is extra thick, use a few more tablespoons than the recipe calls for.

What does Crisco do for cake? ›

Crisco® all-vegetable shortening will make your cakes moist, pie crusts flaky, and cookies soft and fluffy, with 0g of trans fat per serving*. One look, and you'll see why we've got butter beat.

Is cake better with milk or water? ›

Baking tip #2: adding milk to your box cake mix in place of water adds a dense texture to your dessert leaving it moist and flavorful like a homemade cake. Or, if you prefer, you can add buttermilk, giving your cake a tangy flavor to balance out the sweetness.

How do you keep chocolate cake moist? ›

How to Keep Cake Moist
  1. Use cake flour. Making a moist cake starts with the cake mix. ...
  2. Avoid overmixing. ...
  3. Maintain the right baking temperature. ...
  4. Avoid overbaking the cake. ...
  5. Soak the cake. ...
  6. Add moisture between the cake layers. ...
  7. Frost the cake right away. ...
  8. Store the cake properly.
Dec 20, 2021

Is brown or white sugar better for chocolate cake? ›

That's because brown sugar is more hygroscopic than white sugar, meaning it locks in moisture better. Out of the oven, your chocolate cake won't be crumbly or dry, and you may find that the cake retains its moisture for a longer length of time, thanks to the brown sugar.

What does sour cream do in cake? ›

Sour cream is one of the fattiest dairy products; the extra fat content (for example, adding sour cream to a cake instead of milk) will make the cake moister and richer, says Wilk. "Fat, in any form (butter, lard, cream, etc.) shortens gluten strands, which essentially leads to the most tender baked goods," she adds.

Is light or dark brown sugar better for cakes? ›

In a pinch, dark brown sugar can be substituted for light brown; however, when baking recipes sensitive to moisture and density (such as cakes) the difference in moisture content between can affect how well the cake rises. Swapping the two will also affect the recipe's taste and color.

Which chocolate cake is more tasty? ›

Chocolate Fudge Cake

It is an absolute favourite of all chocolate lovers. Fudge cakes are delicious, moist, and go with most any occasion.

What is the most loved cake in the world? ›

The most popular cake worldwide is Chocolate cake. Chocolate, made from the cacao bean, is delicious and was first invented by the Olmecs, one of the original tribes of Mexico.

What chocolate do bakeries use? ›

Semisweet chocolate has a relatively low amount of sugar, which gives it a bittersweet flavor that is perfect for baking. Semisweet chocolate can be used in a variety of recipes, such as cookies, cakes, and brownies. It can also be used to make chocolate chips.

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