Chocolate Cake Recipe (VIDEO) (2024)

A decadent and moist Chocolate Cake recipe with the easiest whipped chocolate frosting. This always gets rave reviews and makes for a stunning chocolate birthday cake.

Chocolate Cake Recipe (VIDEO) (1)

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Did you know cocoa helps your brain release endorphins or your body’s natural “feel good” chemical? This explains why our moods improve when we are eating chocolate cake.

Chocolate makes everything better, from Chocolate Chip Cookies to Chocolate Chip Banana Bread, and let’s not forget Chocolate Mousse! If you are a chocolate lover, this recipe is for you.

Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Cake Recipe

My son’s first words when he saw the cake were “Wow that look’s just like the cake from Matilda!” We watched the Matilda movie recently, but I’m betting this one’s even better because it’s intensely chocolatey and satisfies the fiercest craving for chocolate without being cloyingly sweet.

We combined our most popular Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting with these tried and true Moist Chocolate Cupcakes to create the best chocolate cake. You might be surprised to see coffee in the cake batter, and don’t worry, you can’t taste the coffee in the final product, but it amplifies the flavor of chocolate. Feel free to substitute with decaf coffee if you prefer.

This recipe also happens to be an eggless chocolate cake (bonus if you are egg-free).

Watch the Chocolate Cake Video Tutorial

I hope this Moist Chocolate Cake recipe becomes a new favorite for you. Homemade chocolate cake is way better than Costco’s (there, I said it).

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The Best Cocoa for Chocolate Cake

We used natural unsweetened 100% cocoa or “cacao”. You can use a variety of brands such as Hershey’s, Nestle, or Ghirardelli, but be sure to use “unsweetened” cocoa.

Can I substitute with Dutch Process Cocoa?

When a recipe calls for baking soda, it is best to stick with Natural cocoa powder because it has a higher acidity level than dutch process. You should use the cocoa called for in a recipe for the right chemical reaction to happen. You can read more about that in our Red Velvet Cake post.

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How to Make Chocolate Cake

This cake doesn’t get any easier. It’s no more complex than a boxed cake so long as you know how to measure ingredients correctly.

  • Whisk together the wet ingredients
  • Whisk together the dry ingredients
  • Combine wet with dry ingredients
  • Divide into prepared 9-inch cake pans and bake
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How to Get Even Cake Layers

When making a layered chocolate cake, here are our best tips for even cake layers:

  • Divide the batter equally – Even heights will make for a prettier cake and even bake times. I always double-check for accuracy with a digital kitchen scale. Zero out the cake pan and weigh how much cake batter is in each pan. Your cake layers will be flawless every time.
  • Test your leavening – make sure your leavening is not expired so it has enough rising power for the cake layers to rise evenly.
  • Preheat the oven – ensure your oven is fully preheated before baking the cake layers.
  • Bake Immediately – as soon as you add baking soda to a recipe, it starts reacting immediately so bake right away.
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Tips for Smooth Chocolate Frosting

The whipped chocolate cream cheese buttercream frosting is indulgent, chocolatey, silky smooth, and one of the easiest frostings you will make. To get the smoothest chocolate frosting, be sure to:

  • Cream together the butter and cream cheese first to prevent lumps
  • Sift in the powdered sugar and cocoa since cocoa tends to clump.

If you prefer a frosting that doesn’t have cream cheese in it, another favorite is our Chocolate Buttercream Frosting or even Vanilla Buttercream for a delicious contrast. Both are terrific on Chocolate Cake.

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Pro Tip:

It is critical to fully cool the cake layers to room temperature before applying frosting. If the cake layers are still warm, it will cause the frosting to melt and slide off the cake.

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How to Store Chocolate Cake

  • Short-Term Storage – if you are going to eat the chocolate cake within 24 hours, its ok to keep it at room temperature. Store it in a cook dry place away from heat and direct sunlight.
  • Cover Properly – If you don’t have a cake carrier, use an overturned bowl or large pot to cover the cake and keep it from drying out or absorbing food odors. If the cake is sliced, press a piece of plastic wrap directly over the cut portions to prevent drying out.
  • Refrigerating – after 24 hours, you will want to refrigerate the cake. Place plastic wrap directly over cut portions, transfer to an airtight container, and refrigerate for up to a week.
  • Freezing – to freeze unfrosted cake layers, wrap individual layers in plastic wrap and aluminum foil and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw wrapped at room temperature. To freeze a frosted cake, freeze for 1 hour to harden the frosting then wrap with plastic wrap and foil.
  • To Serve – Thaw a frozen frosted cake overnight in the refrigerator then bring to room temperature for at least 30 minutes before serving. You may need to use a spatula on the frosting again to make it visually appealing.
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I can’t help but smile when I have a generous slice of frosted Chocolate Cake on my plate. I hope this recipe brings joy and food memories wherever this recipe travels. Let me know if you’ve served it in any creative ways? We’ve done everything from sprinkles to princess themes on top which my daughter has loved.

More Chocolate Desserts (for Chocolate Lovers!)

  • Chocolate Ganache
  • Chocolate-Frosted Eclairs
  • Hot Chocolate Recipe
  • Chocolate Lasagna
  • Chocolate Souffle
  • Black Forest Cake
  • Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Chocolate Cake Recipe

4.96 from 677 votes

Author: Natasha Kravchuk

Chocolate Cake Recipe (VIDEO) (17)

A decadent and moist Chocolate Cake recipe with the easiest whipped Chocolate Frosting. Homemade chocolate cake makes for a stunning birthday cake.

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Prep Time: 25 minutes mins

Cook Time: 35 minutes mins

Cake Cooling: 45 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr

Ingredients

Servings: 14 slices

Ingredients for Chocolate Cake:

Ingredients for Chocolate Frosting:

Instructions

How to Make Chocolate Cake Layers:

How to Make the Chocolate Frosting:

  • In the bowl of an electric mixer using paddle attachment (or using an electric hand mixer with a large bowl), beat together 12 oz cream cheese with 1 cup butter on medium/high speed until creamy (3 min), scraping down the bowl as needed.

  • Sift in 5 cups powdered sugar with 1 cup cocoa powder, sifting in batches as needed to ensure there are no lumps. Then add 1/2 tsp salt. Mix on low speed until well combined. Thoroughly scrape down the bowl, then increase to medium/high speed and beat until smooth and whipped (1 min).

  • Add 2 tsp vanilla and beat on medium/high until smooth (1 min). Now it's ready to be spread or piped onto the cooled cake layers.

How to Frost a Cake

  • Set a cake layer onto a serving platter. Apply 1/3 of the frosting over the first layer then cover with the second layer, placing it top-side-down for an even top. Frost the top and sides of the cake. Enjoy or store it for later*

Notes

*How to Store Chocolate Cake:

  • Short-Term Storage – store covered at room temperature for up to 24 hours.
  • Cover Properly – Use an overturned bowl or pot to cover the cake and keep it from drying out. If the cake is sliced, press a piece of plastic wrap directly over the cut portions to prevent drying out.
  • Refrigerating -Cover as directed above and refrigerate for up to a week.
  • Freezing – to freeze unfrosted cake layers, wrap individual layers in plastic wrap and aluminum foil and freeze up to 3 months then taw wrapped at room temperature. To freeze a frosted cake, freeze for 1 hour to harden the frosting then wrap with plastic wrap and foil and freeze up to 3 months.
  • To Serve – Thaw a covered frozen frosted cake overnight in the refrigerator then bring to room temperature for at least 30 minutes before serving. You may need to fix up the frosting with a spatula.

Nutrition Per Serving

691kcal Calories98g Carbs6g Protein33g Fat15g Saturated Fat61mg Cholesterol513mg Sodium223mg Potassium3g Fiber71g Sugar730IU Vitamin A44mg Calcium2.7mg Iron

  • Full Nutrition Label
  • Nutrition Disclosure

Nutrition Facts

Chocolate Cake Recipe

Amount per Serving

Calories

691

% Daily Value*

Fat

33

g

51

%

Saturated Fat

15

g

94

%

Sodium

513

mg

22

%

Potassium

223

mg

6

%

Carbohydrates

98

g

33

%

Fiber

3

g

13

%

Sugar

71

g

79

%

Protein

6

g

12

%

Vitamin A

730

IU

15

%

Calcium

44

mg

4

%

Iron

2.7

mg

15

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chocolate cake

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $$

Calories: 691

Natasha Kravchuk

Chocolate Cake Recipe (VIDEO) (18)

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

Read more posts by Natasha

Chocolate Cake Recipe (VIDEO) (2024)

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