The Best Chocolate Cake Recipe – A one bowl chocolate cake recipe that is quick, easy, and delicious! Updated with gluten-free, dairy-free, and egg-free options!

The best chocolate cake recipe. Ever? There are plenty of claims for the best chocolate cake recipe. I get that. But with one bite of this decadent, moist chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, every single person around the table commented that this was the best chocolate cake they’d ever tasted.

The Best Chocolate Cake Recipe Ever. The Best Chocolate Cake recipe with decadent Chocolate Buttercream Frosting that will quickly become your favorite! // addapinch.com #chocolatecake

So as for my house, this chocolate cake recipe now holds that honor.

As the compliments continued, I didn’t begin to tell them how easy it was to make.

In all honesty, it is probably one of the easiest cakes I’ve made in a long time, really, but I just smiled and thanked them.

As we continued on gobbling up the cake, drinking our coffee or iced cold milk, the compliments just kept coming.

Then the requests for the recipe started.

That’s generally when you know that folks really like what you’ve made if they ask for the recipe and tell you for what event they plan to serve it.

As a cook, that really is one of the highest compliments you can receive – well, at least in my book.

The Best Chocolate Cake Recipe Ever

It was great to hear that they thought the cake was just as good after their last bite as they thought it was with their first.

Here’s another great thing about this recipe. The cake batter really can be made in a bowl without the use of a heavy duty mixer. Of course, that just makes things easier, but this is easily a recipe my Grandmother would have enjoyed making in her tiny kitchen with a whisk and a bowl. And I’m sure it would have turned out perfectly, too.

Slice of cake on a stack of white dessert plates

I’m not going to kid you, this makes a very rich, moist chocolate cake recipe. So if you are a faint of heart chocolate cake person, this is not the cake for you.

Based on the Old Fashioned Hershey’s recipe, I sort of went a bit heavy-handed with some changes testing cake after cake until I got it just the way I wanted it, but the end result was oh so worth it. The crumbs left on the plate gave that away.

Ingredients

For this chocolate cake, you’ll need the following ingredients.

  • all-purpose flour
  • sugar
  • unsweetened cocoa powder
  • baking powder
  • baking soda
  • salt
  • espresso powder – I give more information on the espresso powder below
  • milk – you can also use buttermilk, almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk
  • oil – you can use vegetable, canola or melted coconut oil
  • eggs – when baking, I like to use room temperature eggs
  • vanilla extract
  • boiling water

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep. Preheat the oven to 350º F. Prepare two 9-inch cake pans by spraying with baking spray or buttering and lightly flouring.

Whisk dry ingredients. Add flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt and espresso powder to a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Whisk through to combine or, using your paddle attachment, stir through flour mixture until combined well.

Mix in wet ingredients. Add milk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla to flour mixture and mix together on medium speed until well combined. Reduce speed and carefully add boiling water to the cake batter until well combined.

Bake. Distribute cake batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center of the chocolate cake comes out clean.

Frost. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for about 10 minutes, remove from the pan and cool completely. Frost with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting.

Fork holding a bite of cake with frosting on white dessert plates

Espresso Powder

One of the ingredients that really made this cake recipe come to life, in my opinion, was the addition of espresso powder in both the chocolate cake and in the chocolate frosting.

If you’ve not tried a bit of espresso when baking with chocolate, you really should.

The espresso works to elevate the flavors in much the same way as vanilla extract and I now think of it as an essential part of my spice cabinet.

Espresso powder is easy to find at the grocery store or even online if your grocer doesn’t stock it normally, but I use it fairly frequently and it can become a little pricey. I’ve started making my own homemade espresso powder and since I have I’m not looking back! It is so easy to make and have on hand!

Believe me when I say, it is very much worth the effort to have just for those times you are baking with chocolate!

Photograph of a cake with swirled buttercream frosting on white cake plate.

So my friends, if you have a chocolate cake lover in your midst, make them this cake. If they’ve had a bad day this is certainly something that will brighten it for them. If they’ve had a great day, then this chocolate cake is a great way to celebrate with them!

Let me just say again, this amped up classic chocolate cake + this Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Recipe = the best chocolate cake I’ve ever had!

How to Make Ahead and Store the Homemade Chocolate Cake:

Both the cake and the chocolate frosting can be made ahead. Allow the cakes to cool completely, wrap them well in plastic wrap and place each layer into a gallon zip-top freezer bag. Freeze the cake layers for up to one month.

To frost the cake, simply remove from the freezer and allow to thaw in the refrigerator with wrapping intact. Then, frost the cake once it has completely thawed.

Store the cake at room temperature on the counter. I like to store under a cake dome to keep the cake fresh.

Chocolate Cake Modifications You May Be Interested to Know About:

Note that I have updated the recipe to include some additional ingredients that I have tested through the years. I have found that this chocolate cake is even more versatile than I originally imagined! I’ve listed some of the modifications I’ve tested that I think may be of interest to you.

As a Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake Recipe:

To make the cake as a gluten-free chocolate cake recipe, I’ve successfully used an equal amount of gluten-free flour in place of the all-purpose flour listed in the recipe.

As a Dairy-Free Chocolate Cake Recipe:

To make the cake a dairy-free chocolate cake recipe, I’ve used almond milk as well as coconut milk in place of the dairy. While not dairy-free, I’ve also used buttermilk in place of the milk with great results.

As an Egg-Free Chocolate Cake Recipe:

To make the cake an egg-free chocolate cake recipe, I’ve used 2/3 cup of unsweetened applesauce in place of the 2 large eggs in the recipe. You will note that you may have to bake the cake just a few minutes more. Be sure to check with the skewer for doneness.

I’ve also used Bob’s Red Mill Egg Replacer with great success.

To Use Butter and Other Oils:

I have tested the chocolate cake recipe with additional oils, as well as butter. I’ve tested using an equal amount of melted coconut oil to the vegetable oil called for in the recipe. I’ve also tested using the same volume of melted butter in place of the oils in the chocolate cake. While it does make the cake texture slightly different, it is still delicious and worth trying if you’d prefer to use butter in place of oils in your chocolate cake.

Whew! See what I mean! This is the chocolate cake of everyone’s dreams, I think!

The Best Chocolate Cake Recipe {Ever}

5 from 4759 votes
The Best Chocolate Cake Recipe – A one bowl chocolate cake recipe that is quick, easy, and delicious! Updated with gluten-free, dairy-free, and egg-free options!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 24

Ingredients 

  • 2 cups (240 g) all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups (396 g) sugar
  • 3/4 cup (63 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons (8 g) baking powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons (9 g) baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon (2.8 g) kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon (2.3 g) espresso powder, homemade or store-bought
  • 1 cup (227 g) milk, or buttermilk, almond, or coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup (99 g) vegetable oil, or canola oil, or melted coconut oil
  • 2 large (100 g) eggs
  • 2 teaspoons (9.4 g) vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (227. g) boiling water
  • Chocolate Buttercream Frosting Recipe

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350º F. Prepare two 9-inch cake pans by spraying with baking spray or buttering and lightly flouring.

For the chocolate cake:

  • Add flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt and espresso powder to a large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer. Whisk through to combine or, using your paddle attachment, stir through flour mixture until combined well.
  • Add milk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla to flour mixture and mix together on medium speed until well combined. Reduce speed and carefully add boiling water to the cake batter until well combined.
  • Distribute cake batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center of the chocolate cake comes out clean.
  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool for about 10 minutes, remove from the pan and cool completely.
  • Frost the cake with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting.

Notes

The cake batter will be very thin after adding the boiling water. This is correct and results in the most delicious and moist chocolate cake I’ve ever tasted! xo
Nutritional Information: Calculated for the cake only and does not include the frosting.
Freezer Friendly: Let the baked cake layers cool completely. Wrap them well with plastic wrap and then with foil. Put each layer into a freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months. To serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight with wrapping intact. The next day, the layers are ready to fill and frost.
High Altitude: If you live at a high altitude, adjust the recipe based on the altitude of your area. 
Metric Conversion: (11/2023) The recipe has been updated to include grams for ingredient measurements. See the ingredient notes below for information on key ingredients. 
Ingredient Notes: 
1. Kosher salt – I use Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt. If you substitute with Morton’s Kosher salt, fine sea salt, or table salt, you will only need half the amount of the salt called for in the recipe. 
2. Milk – The grams in the recipe are for whole milk and buttermilk.
 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 124kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 178mg | Potassium: 114mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 229IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Do let me know how you like it.

Here are a few additional ways I like to make this cake!

Chocolate Cupcakes

If you are looking for cupcakes from this recipe, I’ve shared my recipe for the best chocolate cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting. This recipe makes a perfect dozen so that you can scale the recipe to make as many chocolate cupcakes as you need! Talk about easy! 🙂

9×13 Chocolate Cake

I love this version! It is a delicious, scaled-down version that is just the thing for potlucks, reunions, tailgates, and travels perfectly! I’ve also scaled-down the frosting so that has the frosting to cake ratio that my family prefers. It is a definite winner!

Large Chocolate Sheet Cake

Scaled for a crowd, this recipe bakes beautifully in a rimmed half sheet baking sheet and is perfect for all sorts of get-togethers. Think of it as the 9×13’s big brother! 🙂 This recipe features Fudge Icing, but you can definitely substitute the icing for whatever you fancy!

And there you have it. There are so many ways to enjoy this delicious cake. Practically one for whatever need you might have. But, if I’ve missed one, be sure to let me know and I’ll work on it for you! 🙂

Many of you have asked if there is a way to make a Vanilla Cake Recipe that is just as delicious. Well friends, I’ve tested and tested and tested and now can proudly say – YES! I’ve shared the best Vanilla Cake I’ve ever tasted, too! 🙂

Enjoy!
Robyn xo

The Best Chocolate Cake recipe with decadent Chocolate Frosting that will quickly become your favorite! // addapinch.com

From the Add a Pinch recipe archives. Originally published 2012.

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About Robyn

Robyn Stone is a cookbook author, wife, mom, and passionate home cook. Her tested and trusted recipes give readers the confidence to cook recipes the whole family will love. Robyn has been featured on Food Network, People, Southern Living, and more.

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Recipe Review




15,806 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I work in an international school in malaysia and made this cake late on a sunday night for a colleagues birthday on Monday, (mainly chose it because of it simple process!) a bit sceptical of how it would turn out. But most people buy a cake for birthdays (we take turns to provide cakes for each others special days) and i thought i would make an effort. Usually those expensive store-bought cakes get about half eaten and the rest gets given to our school guards. But man did i get a lot of compliments and heavenly looks when the cake was being eaten.. and guess what.. not a crumb was left at the end! In fact one of my colleagues even scraped the plate with his fingers when he thought no one was looking! So yeah – total win for me! And i cant believe it was so easy!!

    1. Hi Mark,
      What a wonderful story – I’m thrilled everyone loved it! I think it’s so special that you all take the time to honor each other’s birthday!
      Thank you for sharing this with me! So happy you liked the cake! 🙂

  2. 5 stars
    This is seriously such an awesome cake. I baked a two tier Moana cake for my daughter’s birthday and had almost every body telling me how good it was. And the frosting is to die for though I didn’t put the express powder in it. My go to chocolate cake recipe from now on….Thanks so much for sharing it.

    1. So happy to hear this was a success for your daughter’s birthday! Wish her my best! Thanks so much! xo

  3. I made this cake and the frosting and it was the best chocolate cake of my life! I had to make it non-dairy and everyone still raved about it. Thank you so much!

    1. I’m just tickled you all enjoyed it so much! Thanks so much for telling me Lindsay!

  4. 5 stars
    I have been looking for a great chocolate cake recipe for a long time and I finally found it! Martha Stewart has nothing on this recipe! This was so easy to make and definitely lived up to it’s name. The cake was super moist and fluffy. The chocolate buttercream was also delicious. My family raved about this cake. Thanks so much for sharing! One suggestion for everyone- I bought better quality cocoa powder and found it made a big difference.

    1. Yay, Lora! So happy you found this too! I It’s wonderful that your family enjoyed it so much! Thanks! xo

  5. 5 stars
    Hi, I’m going to be making this delicious cake for a party in 2 weeks. It’s going to be a tiered cake with 2 layers. And I’m filling it with raspberry filling. I was wondering if I’ll have to dash each layer with a sort of syrup before the filling goes on? I’ve heard of that being done before, so I want to be sure.

    Thanks!
    Hannah

  6. Hi Melinda,
    I’m glad you liked it, but sorry your child didn’t. You say you used a cup of coffee instead of the boiling water (and I assume the espresso powder). I wonder if your cake had a coffee taste that your child didn’t like…in my opinion the espresso powder enhances the richness of the chocolate and does not taste like coffee if that could be the issue. Hope this helps. Thanks!

  7. The cake is bublbling up over the top of the cake pans and burning on the bottom of my oven and on the oven racks. I am not a happy baker this evening.

    1. 5 stars
      This happened to me last time I made this cake, and I’ve made it at least 10 times successfully. The only thing I did differently was trying a store brand baking powder instead of my usual brand name and I noticed it ruin 2 other cakes too. Try checking your powder is good and also make sure no to overfill the pans more than halfway.

  8. Hi Robyn,

    Apologies if I’ve missed this but what’s the depth of your 9″ cake tin? I’m trying to convert this to a 5×3″ deep tin and try it out tomorrow!

    Thanks!

    1. Just to clarify – I’m trying to convert to 5″ round x 3″ deep tin 🙂

  9. 5 stars
    Hello!
    Thank you for sharing this great recipe. I was wondering if you’ve tried making it with cake flour? Is it still as good?

    Thanks again!
    Martha

    1. Hi Martha,
      I always use White Lily flour, but cake flour should work fine. I hope you enjoy it! Thanks so much!

  10. 5 stars
    G’day Robin from Down Under 😉 I offered to bake a cake for my son’s 23rd yesterday – a healthy version of carrot and nut cake but was snubbed and presented with the challenge to make him at his birthday request, a ‘BLOODY good chocolate cake’! As I started to put the ingredients together, I have to be honest – I could feel it going down to my hips! On top of the fact that I’m not a baker by any means – I just get by – the task was a daunting one and I found this recipe. The mix appeared runny and I thought here goes nothing! RESULT – it was a BLOODY GOOD, BLOODY MOIST BEST CHOCOLATE CAKE! Thumbs up from my son, his French chef mate, his girlfriend and her family, his gym buddies. Even I could not resist a huge slice. It was perfect. I give it a thumbs up and to those out there looking for that self-reward moment, have THIS cake! BTW the recipe is idiot-proof too! Thank you Robyn.

    1. Hi Sue!
      I absolutely LOVE this! And so happy to hear it was a “bloody good” best chocolate cake for your son’s birthday! Thanks so much for sharing this with me! xo