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!)

PIN IT HERE!

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)

More Chocolate Cakes

Chocolate Cakes

The Perfect Chocolate Cake

Cakes

Best Chocolate Cake Recipe

Cakes

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Chocolate Cakes

Chocolate Brownie Cake

Chocolate Cakes

Death By Chocolate Bundt Cake

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!

SavePrint Rate Comment

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

Related Recipes

Cakes

Strawberry Earthquake Cake

Cakes

Salted Caramel Pound Cake

Cakes

Banana Crumb Cake

Bars

Strawberry Cheesecake Bars

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 a secret ingredient for cakes? ›

Mayonnaise: The Hidden Gem in Cake Recipes

This unexpected addition can take your cake recipes to a whole new level. To incorporate mayonnaise into your cake batter, simply add a couple of tablespoons to the mix. The result? A tender and moist cake that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Which cake is best in chocolate? ›

6 Delicious Chocolate Cake Types
  1. Chocolate mud cake. Chocolate mud cake is a cake with a rich chocolate taste and a moist texture. ...
  2. Chocolate fudge cake. ...
  3. Chocolate lava cake. ...
  4. Chocolate mug cake. ...
  5. Chocolate truffle cake. ...
  6. Opera cake.
Oct 26, 2022

How to enhance chocolate flavor in cake? ›

Adding a teaspoon of espresso powder goes a long way towards enhancing chocolate flavors in your cooking. Since espresso powder is typically fine-ground, it dissolves in batters and doughs easily.

How do you make a cake taste richer? ›

8 Simple Tips and Tricks to Make Box Cake Better
  1. Use Room Temperature Ingredients. ...
  2. Replace Water with Milk or Buttermilk. ...
  3. Substitute Sour Cream in the Mix. ...
  4. Substitute Oil for Butter. ...
  5. Use More Eggs. ...
  6. Add Vanilla Extract. ...
  7. Make It a Chocolate Lovers' Cake. ...
  8. Decorate Your Cake Like A Pro.

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

Fat: Butter, oil, or a combination of both can help make a cake moist. Oil tends to make cakes moister than butter. Eggs: They provide structure and moisture. Some recipes might call for separating the yolks and whites and beating the whites to stiff peaks for added fluffiness.

Which 2 ingredients help the cake to rise? ›

Most cakes will call for a leavening agent like baking powder or baking soda. These create the bubbles you need for the cake to rise. If the flour you use is self-raising, it already has a leavening agent in it. Make sure your butter is room temperature, and beat the butter and sugar together until properly creamed.

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.

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).

Which cocoa powder is best for chocolate cake? ›

Cocoa
  • HealthyHive Cocoa Powder - Unsweetened and Dutched (250 Grams) ...
  • HappyPanda Premium Cacao Powder (1 Kg) - Non-Alkalized Organic Cacao Powder For Chocolate Making, Baking, Cooking And Drinking- Zero Chemicals, Unsweetened Natural Cocoa Powder. ...
  • Lindt Excellence 85% Cocoa Dark Chocolate, ?

What gives chocolate a higher quality flavor? ›

Roasting brings them together under high heat, which causes the sugar and protein to react and form that wonderful aroma. Roasting is something of an art form. Different temperatures and times will produce different flavors.

What brings out the flavor of chocolate? ›

If you're making something chocolaty – crinkle cookies, chocolate mousse, brownies, fudge – and really want to turn up the chocolate flavor, there's a simple trick you can use with just about any recipe. Do you know the secret ingredient? It's espresso!

What brings out the Flavour of chocolate? ›

Citrus Zest: The zesty notes of lemon, orange, or lime can lend a refreshing and tangy twist to chocolate, brightening its flavour profile. Vanilla: The warm and comforting essence of vanilla enhances the sweetness of chocolate, adding a creamy and aromatic touch.

What is the secret to a good cake? ›

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

How do you make a cake taste like a bakery cake? ›

Step 1: Look at the directions on the cake mix. Step 2: Add one more egg (or add 2 if you want it to be very rich). Step 3: Use melted butter instead of oil and double the amount. Step 4: Instead of water, use whole milk.

How do you make a cake look expensive? ›

Consider using a pedestal stand for added height and drama. Make sure the surface is clean and free of any smudges or crumbs. Additionally, you can adorn the base of the cake with decorative elements such as edible pearls, gold leaf, or sugar flowers to create a visually appealing and luxurious look.

What's a good secret ingredient? ›

More Secret Ingredients
  • Fennel Seeds – Fennel seeds with its subtly sweet, and mildly citrusy flavor have a unique flavor that really isn't comparable to other foods. ...
  • Fish sauce – Fish sauce offers an umami flavor with salty, savory, and earthy notes, complemented by a subtle sweetness.
Mar 20, 2024

What is a good baking secret? ›

10 Baking Secrets You Need to Know
  • Have the right butter consistency. ...
  • Read the whole recipe beforehand. ...
  • Prep all the ingredients ahead of time. ...
  • Use an oven thermometer. ...
  • Keep that oven closed! ...
  • Don't skip chilling. ...
  • Try storing your cookies with bread. ...
  • Don't over mix the ingredients.
Sep 1, 2023

What is your best baking secret? ›

Combine ingredients as gently as possible without overmixing. Creamed butter and sugar should be pale and fluffy, never yellow and gritty. Butter temperature is a vital detail that should not be overlooked. Don't open the oven door until goods are done baking.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Aracelis Kilback

Last Updated:

Views: 6828

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (64 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Aracelis Kilback

Birthday: 1994-11-22

Address: Apt. 895 30151 Green Plain, Lake Mariela, RI 98141

Phone: +5992291857476

Job: Legal Officer

Hobby: LARPing, role-playing games, Slacklining, Reading, Inline skating, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Dance

Introduction: My name is Aracelis Kilback, I am a nice, gentle, agreeable, joyous, attractive, combative, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.