A Simple Chocolate Cake Recipe for New or Occasional Home Bakers

Chocolate cake is a delight for any dessert lover. While so many people love this cake, many cringe at the thought of making it at home.

A homemade chocolate cake might sound like a daunting task to many. That’s mostly because they don’t have a good recipe. Yes, to make a homemade chocolate cake, a recipe is crucial. Most home cooks are not professional bakers or chefs, so a chocolate cake is not made daily. Hence, you need a simple chocolate cake recipe to follow.

That is what we have for you. We present the best chocolate cake recipe for beginners or occasional bakers to try at home.

Ingredients

The chocolate cake ingredients will significantly impact how your cake will taste. It is an easy chocolate cake recipe, and hence, the ingredients are simple and can be easily sourced. But, do follow the quantity properly.

For the cake:

• 1 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder(unsweetened)
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water

For the frosting:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions 

The recipe has to be followed correctly for a delicious homemade chocolate cake. Here are simple instructions for your chocolate cake recipe.

Preparation:

1. Preheat your oven to 175°C(350°F)—grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. In a large mixing bowl, sift together cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Process:

1. Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Beat on medium speed for about 2 minutes until well combined.

For Eggless

Here’s the benefit of a homemade chocolate cake. You can tweak the recipe to suit your needs.

1. Flour and Water

Adding whole wheat or all-purpose flour to a cake recipe can make it denser. The secret to achieving a light and spongy texture lies in the reaction between baking soda and lemon juice. These two ingredients combine to cause the cake to rise perfectly, resulting in a soft, moist texture.

Substitute each egg with 1 and 1/2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and 1 and 1/2 tablespoons of water. So, for this recipe, you would use:

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons water

1. Yoghurt

Yoghurt is not a part of the list of traditional chocolate cake ingredients. But it is being used by many. It serves as a substitute for eggs by helping to hold the ingredients together and providing structure to the cake. Additionally, yoghurt adds moisture, which helps to keep the cake tender and moist.

Substitute each egg with 1/4 cup of plain yoghurt. So, for this recipe, you would use:

1/2 cup plain yoghurt 

1. Stir in the boiling water until the batter is well combined. The batter will be thin, but that's okay.
2. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centre of the cakes comes out clean.
4. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Garnish:

1. While the cakes are cooling, prepare the frosting. In a medium mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and cocoa powder until well combined.
2. Gradually add the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, beating until smooth and creamy.
3. Once the cakes are completely cooled, frost the top of one cake layer with frosting, then place the second cake layer on top and frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting.
4. Decorate the cake as desired, and enjoy your delicious homemade chocolate cake!

Homemade Chocolate Cake Tips

While the simple chocolate cake recipe above is easy to follow, we want it to be perfect for you. Here are some tips to ensure your chocolate cake turns out perfectly:

• Use quality ingredients:  

High-quality cocoa powder and chocolate elevate the flavour and texture of your cake, resulting in a richer and more satisfying experience. Plus, they create a visually appealing dessert with a deep, decadent colour. 

• Correctly measure your ingredients: 

Using proper measuring tools ensures accurate ingredient amounts, guaranteeing your cake's perfect balance of flavours and textures. 

• Sift dry ingredients:  

Sifting the dry ingredients, such as flour and cocoa powder, helps to aerate them, resulting in a lighter cake texture. 

• Bring ingredients to room temperature:  

Allow chocolate cake ingredients like eggs, milk, and yoghurt to come to room temperature before mixing. Room-temperature ingredients blend more easily, creating a smoother batter. 

• Don’t overmix the batter:  

Mix the batter until just combined. Mixing too much can make the cake heavy or rigid, and you won’t have a good cake even if you have the best chocolate cake recipe. 

• Check cake doneness:  

To check if the cake is done, insert a toothpick or cake tester into the centre. If it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, it's ready. 

• Cool cakes properly:  

Allow the cakes to cool in their pans for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling the cakes too quickly can cause them to break apart. 

• Level the cakes:  

If the cakes are domed on top, use a serrated knife to level them before carefully frosting. Doing this ensures a more even and professional-looking cake. 

• Frosting consistency:  

You can adjust the consistency of the frosting by adding more powdered sugar for a thicker frosting or more milk for a thinner frosting. 

• Decorate creatively:  

To add visual appeal, have fun decorating your chocolate cake with chocolate shavings, sprinkles, fresh berries, or other decorations. 

• Storage:  

Leftover cake can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days or in the refrigerator for longer freshness.

So, here's your easy recipe for homemade chocolate cake. Remember to share the cake so your loved ones can praise your baking efforts.

Also, do share this simple chocolate cake recipe with those who wish to bake their chocolate cake.