Simple Chocolate Cake Recipe: A Delightfully Easy Dessert
This simple chocolate cake recipe is perfect for beginner bakers and anyone craving a delicious, moist chocolate cake without the fuss. It's quick, easy, and requires minimal ingredients, making it ideal for a weeknight treat or a spontaneous baking session. This recipe focuses on simplicity while still delivering amazing chocolate flavor. Let's get baking!
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe uses readily available ingredients, ensuring you can whip up this cake even on a busy day.
- 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour: Provides the structure of your cake.
- ¾ cup (60g) unsweetened cocoa powder: The star of the show! Use good quality cocoa for the best flavor.
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder: The leavening agent for a light and airy texture.
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda: Another leavening agent, working in tandem with the baking powder.
- ¾ teaspoon salt: Enhances the chocolate flavor and balances sweetness.
- 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake to perfection.
- 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk: Adds moisture and tanginess, preventing a dry cake. (If you don't have buttermilk, you can substitute 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp white vinegar or lemon juice)
- ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil: Adds moisture and richness.
- 2 large eggs: Binds the ingredients and adds richness.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor.
- 1 cup (240ml) boiling water: This is key to a moist, fudgy cake.
Instructions: A Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple instructions for a perfect chocolate cake every time.
Step 1: Preheat & Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans. This prevents sticking and ensures easy removal.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents.
Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.
Step 4: Combine Wet & Dry
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Step 5: Add Boiling Water
Slowly pour in the boiling water while mixing on low speed. The batter will be thin – this is normal!
Step 6: Bake
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 7: Cool & Frost
Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, frost with your favorite chocolate frosting.
Tips for Success:
- Room temperature ingredients: Using room temperature ingredients ensures even mixing and a better rise.
- Don't overmix: Overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough cake.
- Check for doneness: Use a wooden skewer or toothpick to check for doneness. If it comes out with moist crumbs, bake for a few more minutes.
- Let it cool completely: Frosting a warm cake will cause it to melt.
Variations:
- Add nuts: Chopped walnuts or pecans would be a delicious addition.
- Different frosting: Get creative with your frosting! Cream cheese frosting, chocolate ganache, or even a simple powdered sugar glaze would work wonderfully.
- Add chocolate chips: Fold in a cup of chocolate chips for extra chocolatey goodness.
Enjoy your incredibly simple and delicious chocolate cake! Let me know in the comments how yours turns out!
