Why This Chocolate Cake is a Must-Bake

If you’re looking for a sweet treat that never goes out of style, this classic chocolate cake is perfect for you. It’s rich, moist, and has a deep chocolate flavor that pleases everyone who tries it. Whether it’s a birthday, an anniversary, or just because you want something delicious, this cake fits every occasion. Plus, making it from scratch is easier than you might think!

A Step-by-Step Guide to Making Classic Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup (75 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 ml) milk
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240 ml) boiling water

For the frosting:

• 1 cup (225 g) softened unsalted butter
• 3 1/2 cups (440 g) powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup (50 g) cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4–1/3 cup (60–80 ml) heavy cream or milk

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease two 23 cm (9 inch) round cake pans or line the bottoms with parchment paper.
2. Sift the flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a bowl. Whisk until well combined.
3. Add the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla to the dry mixture. Beat with a mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes.
4. Slowly add the boiling water and stir it in with a spatula.
5. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake in the oven for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely (around 1 hour).
6. While the cakes cool, prepare the frosting. Beat the butter until creamy. Gradually mix in the powdered sugar, cocoa, salt, and vanilla. Add cream to reach your desired spreadable consistency.
7. Once cooled, place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread about 1 cup of frosting on top. Add the second layer and cover the top and sides of the cake. Now you can enjoy your homemade classic chocolate cake!

Ideal Ways to Enjoy Your Chocolate Cake

Serving this classic chocolate cake is super easy! You can slice it into wedges, and it’s perfect for a dessert table or a cozy family gathering. Enjoy it on its own, or you can top it with fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to make it even more special.

Storing Your Chocolate Cake for Future Delight

To keep your chocolate cake fresh, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want it to last longer, you can refrigerate it for about a week or freeze the slices for up to 3 months. Just make sure to wrap it well to avoid freezer burn!

Handy Tips for Baking the Best Chocolate Cake

• Measure your ingredients accurately to get the perfect texture.
• Make sure your butter is softened at room temperature for easy blending.
• Let your cakes cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
• Feel free to experiment by adding chocolate chips or swapping in different flavors of extract for a twist.

Creative Variations to Try

Want to switch things up? You can turn this classic chocolate cake into a molten lava cake by placing chocolate squares in the center before baking. Another fun idea is to add a layer of raspberry or strawberry jam between the layers for a fruity flavor.

Nutritional Information

Approximate values per slice (1/12 of the cake):

• Calories: 350
• Total Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Total Carbohydrates: 50g
• Sugars: 35g
• Protein: 3g

Serving Suggestions for Family Get-Togethers

This classic chocolate cake pairs well with a big pot of coffee for the adults and a glass of milk for the kids. You can also serve it at celebrations like birthdays or holidays where everyone can indulge in a piece together.

Pairing Suggestions: What Goes Great With This Cake

Enjoy your chocolate cake with whipped cream, a scoop of ice cream, or even a cup of hot chocolate on a chilly day. Adding fresh fruits like strawberries or bananas on the side also enhances the experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I make this cake ahead of time?
   Yes! You can bake the chocolate cake a day in advance. Just store it properly and frost it closer to when you plan to serve it.

2. What can I use instead of eggs?
   You can substitute eggs with 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce or 1/4 cup of yogurt for a similar result.

3. Can I make this cake gluten-free?
   Absolutely! You can use a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour.

Classic Chocolate Cake

This rich and moist classic chocolate cake is perfect for any occasion, offering deep chocolate flavor that's loved by all.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Cake, Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12 slices

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the cake

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup milk Use whole milk for best results.
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water Add slowly for better mixing.

For the frosting

• 1 cup softened unsalted butter
• 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4–1/3 cup heavy cream or milk Use as needed for consistency.

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease two 23 cm (9 inch) round cake pans or line the bottoms with parchment paper.
• Sift the flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a bowl. Whisk until well combined.
• Add the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla to the dry mixture. Beat with a mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes.
• Slowly add the boiling water and stir it in with a spatula.
• Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake in the oven for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Let the cakes cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely (around 1 hour).

Frosting

• While the cakes cool, prepare the frosting. Beat the butter until creamy. Gradually mix in the powdered sugar, cocoa, salt, and vanilla. Add cream to reach your desired spreadable consistency.

Assembly

• Once cooled, place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread about 1 cup of frosting on top. Add the second layer and cover the top and sides of the cake.
• Serve and enjoy your homemade classic chocolate cake!

Notes

Measure your ingredients accurately to get the perfect texture. Make sure your butter is softened at room temperature for easy blending. Let your cakes cool completely before frosting to prevent melting. Feel free to experiment by adding chocolate chips or swapping in different flavors of extract for a twist.

Keyword BIRTHDAY CAKE, Chocolate Cake, Classic Cake, Dessert Recipe, Homemade Cake