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    You are here: Home / Recipes / Desserts / Best Chocolate Cake Recipe

    Best Chocolate Cake Recipe

    BY: Courtney PUBLISHED: Jun 30, 2017 11 Comments UPDATED ON: Nov 20, 2022

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.
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    JUMP TO 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!

    best chocolate cake recipe

    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!

    easy 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.

     chocolate cake recipe from scratch

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

    easy chocolate cake

    Chocolate Cake Recipe

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    Print Pin Recipe
    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
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    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!
    easy chocolate cake

    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
    Prevent 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!
     
     
     

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    POSTED IN: Desserts

    About Courtney

    Family, Food, and Photography are Courtney's passions and you'll see all of that on this blog. She is happily married to her husband Chris and together they have two amazing kiddos!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Manni

      January 30, 2011 at 7:35 pm

      Thanks for sharing your recipe. I might give it shot minus the eggs. Will let you know how they turned out: D

      Reply
    2. Laura @ GotChocolate

      January 31, 2011 at 3:42 am

      Oooooooh, I’m going to have to try these!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Courtney! I’m ALWAYS on the lookout for the BEST of Chocolate recipes!

      Eeeeeeee!!!

      Reply
    3. Lisa

      January 31, 2011 at 8:16 am

      A good chocolate cake recipe is a must! It’s always a people pleaser and yours looks like a good one. I have a sweet treat linky party going on at my blog right now and I’d like to invite you to stop by and link your cake up. http://sweet-as-sugar-cookies.blogspot.com/2011/01/sweets-for-saturday-2.html

      Reply
    4. Sarah

      January 31, 2011 at 3:44 am

      I am always in search of the perfect chocolate cake. I think I’ll give this one a try, they look delicious!

      Reply
    5. Nichol

      February 01, 2011 at 6:31 pm

      Oh yum! I have to try this. My mom has a great recipe I use but I always like to try new ones!

      Reply
    6. Donna

      January 10, 2012 at 1:53 pm

      Just what I was looking for! Yummy!

      Reply
    7. Maia Dobson

      May 03, 2012 at 7:38 am

      What a yummy chocolate cupcake recipe you have there! I love to try it. I just hope I don’t getemergency dental care because I tend to overeat chocolates.

      Reply
    8. Theresa @ Faith and Family Reviews

      May 10, 2012 at 12:12 am

      Oh my goodness! Those look yummy!

      Reply
    9. Stefani @ MommyEnterprises.com

      June 17, 2012 at 6:44 pm

      Sounds delicious!

      I wish it wasn’t going to be hot today or I would be baking.

      Reply
    10. Christina Strapp

      August 21, 2013 at 8:00 am

      I love cupcakes and these look so good!

      Reply
    11. google

      October 22, 2013 at 11:59 am

      Hi, this weekend is fastidious in support of me, because this time i am reading this impressive informative article here at my house.

      Reply

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