Best Chocolate Cake Recipe

This is the best chocolate cake recipe, so moist and filled with the perfect amount of chocolate! We make our chocolate cake recipe from scratch. This homemade chocolate cake could also be used for cupcakes!

I made this cake recipe well over 10 years ago. I have been using it for birthday parties and family get-togethers for YEARS! It’s my most requested dessert and for good reason, this chocolate cake recipe is DELICIOUS! This chocolate cake recipe is from scratch and you can even use organic sugar and brown sugar without any issues. There will be a slight difference in the crumb when you use natural sugars, but it’s still just as delicious. If you’re looking for a simple chocolate cake recipe, this is it!

WHY DO YOU PUT COFFEE IN YOUR CHOCOLATE CAKE RECIPE?

You won’t really taste the coffee in this chocolate cake, but you will taste a rich chocolate flavor! The coffee actually boosts the chocolate and makes it really stand out. If you don’t want to add coffee you can use coffee extract instead. I always keep instant coffee around the house so I can quickly use it to make this chocolate cake recipe!

HOW TO MAKE A MOIST CHOCOLATE CAKE RECIPE:

The reason we use the “buttermilk” in this recipe is to really make the chocolate cake moist. Vinegar and Milk mixed together to create a buttermilk substitute. Buttermilk breaks down the tough gluten in the flour and results in a moist and tender crumb.

We mentioned earlier that using natural sugar can result in a different crumb, we prefer using regular sugar for cakes for this reason. Our best chocolate cake recipe does best with regular sugar for a good crumb, but if you don’t mind a little more nooks you can goahead and use organic raw cane sugar.

Don’t forget to pin our best chocolate cake recipe to your favorite pinterest board.

This Homemade Chocolate Cake Recipe from Scratch is perfect for cakes and cupcakes, literally the best chocolate cake ever for birthday parties!

Chocolate Cake Recipe

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Author: Courtney

Ingredients

• 1 Cup Milk
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 2 Cups granulated sugar
• 1 3/4 Cup All Purpose Flour
• 3/4 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
• 1 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Powder
• 1 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1 Teaspoon Salt
• 2 Eggs
• 1 Cup Boiling Coffee Don’t have coffee? Use 1 Cup Boiling Water + 1 Tsp Coffee Extract
• 1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil
• 1 Teaspoon REAL Vanilla

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Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease two 8-inch round cake pans. (you can also use for cupcakes) If your cake pans aren't nonstick, you may want to add parchment paper as well.
• In a small bowl, combine the milk and vinegar and set it aside.
• Sift together the granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a stand mixer bowl.
• Mixing slwoly, add in the eggs, prepared milk mixture, oil, and vanilla. Mix until the batter is combined, scrape the bowl if needed. Next, add in the hot coffee and then mix again until just combined. The batter will have a runny consistency.
• Bake cakes for 30-35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted shows minimal crumbs. If making cupcakes, bake for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted shows minimal crumbs.
• Cool on wire wrack.

The nutritional information is automatically calculated and can vary based ingredients and products used. If the nutrition numbers are important for you we recommend calculating them yourself.

nutrition disclaimer

Tried this recipe?Mention @courtneyssweets or tag #courtneyssweets!

Homemade Chocolate Cake Recipe from Scratch

This is the best chocolate cake recipe, so moist and filled with the perfect amount of chocolate! We make our chocolate cake recipe from scratch. This homemade chocolate cake could also be used for cupcakes!

5 from 3 votes

click the stars to rate this recipe

Print Pin Recipe

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

Calories: 202kcal

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 Cups Granulated Sugar
• 1 3/4 Cup All Purpose Flour
• 3/4 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
• 1 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Powder
• 1 1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1 Teaspoon Salt
• 2 Large Eggs
• 1 1/8 Cup Milk
• 1 Cup Hot Coffee
• 1 Teaspoon Vanilla
• 1 stick Butter melted, or vegetable oil

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Combine all ingredients into a stand mixer and mix for 2-3 minutes.
• The batter will have a runny consistency. 
• Fill cupcakes about 2/3 full, or two 9" cake pans 2/3 full.
• Bake for cupcakes for 12-15 minutes, or until toothpick inserted shows minimal crumbs. 
• Bake cakes for 30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted shows minimal crumbs.
• Cool on wire wrack.

Nutrition

Calories: 202kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 353mg | Potassium: 179mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 75IU | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 1.5mg

The nutritional information is automatically calculated and can vary based ingredients and products used. If the nutrition numbers are important for you we recommend calculating them yourself.

nutrition disclaimer

Tried this recipe?Mention @courtneyssweets or tag #courtneyssweets!