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Decadent chocolate cake with intricate piped frosting on a white stand, perfect for a homemade chocolate cake recipe.
wiame recipes

The Best Moist Chocolate Cake Recipe (Ever!)

Discover the ultimate chocolate cake recipe that’s rich, deeply flavored, and incredibly moist. This one-bowl recipe is simple enough for beginners but produces professional results every time — a must-bake for any chocolate lover!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 124
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chocolate Cake Base
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder natural, not Dutch-processed
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp espresso powder enhances chocolate flavor
  • 1 cup milk or buttermilk, almond, or coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil or canola or melted coconut oil
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract pure
  • 1 cup boiling water to bloom the cocoa

Equipment

  • Two 9-inch round cake pans
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Whisk or stand mixer
  • measuring cups and spoons
  • Rubber spatula
  • Toothpicks or cake tester
  • Wire Cooling Rack

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans, or line with parchment paper.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and espresso powder until well combined.
  3. Add milk, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix on medium speed or whisk until smooth and just combined.
  4. Slowly pour in the boiling water while mixing on low speed. Batter will be thin — this ensures a moist texture.
  5. Divide the batter evenly between prepared pans and bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  6. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
  7. Frost with your favorite chocolate buttercream frosting once cooled and enjoy.

Notes

To make cupcakes, bake for 18–22 minutes. For a gluten-free option, substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. For dairy-free, use almond or coconut milk. For egg-free, replace each egg with ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce.