Easy Chocolate Cake from Scratch: A New Favourite!
Imagine slicing into a chocolate cake so rich, moist and tender that each bite melts in your mouth. The aroma of freshly baked cake fills your kitchen, promising a moment of pure indulgence. This easy chocolate cake from scratch is a celebration of simplicity and taste, crafted with everyday ingredients, one mixing bowl and a whisk, no electric mixer required. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or a quiet afternoon at home, this recipe will become your go-to for a cake that’s as easy to make as it is to eat.
Why This Easy Chocolate Cake is a Family Favourite
I’ve been baking cookies and cakes for over four decades, perfecting recipes for family and friends to enjoy. As a result, this recipe is designed for home bakers who want a reliable, no-fuss cake that doesn’t skimp on flavour. With a bowl, a whisk, and a handful of pantry staples, you’ll create a cake so delicious you’ll never reach for a packet mix again. Next, let’s dive into the ingredients, tips, and steps to make this simple chocolate cake a staple in your kitchen.
What You Need to Make this Cake
Why These Ingredients Work
Each ingredient in this easy chocolate cake plays a crucial role in its irresistible texture and taste. For instance, here’s a breakdown of why they shine:
- Plain Flour provides the foundation of the cake, providing structure without overwhelming the delicate crumb. It’s versatile and ensures a tender texture.
- Cocoa Powder is the star of the show, cocoa powder brings intense chocolate flavour. Therefore, opt for unsweetened, high-quality cocoa for a rich, deep taste.
- Caster Sugar is finer than granulated sugar, caster sugar dissolves easily, creating a smooth batter and a fine crumb in the finished cake.
- Baking Powder and Baking Soda are leavening agents that work together to give the cake its light, airy rise. Baking soda reacts with the acidic buttermilk, while baking powder ensures consistent lift.
- Salt enhances the chocolate flavour, balancing sweetness and adding depth.
- Buttermilk is a tangy ingredient that tenderises the cake, keeping it moist and adding a subtle richness that pairs beautifully with cocoa.
- Hot Coffee, don’t worry, you won’t taste coffee in the cake! Hot coffee intensifies the cocoa’s flavour, making it bolder and more complex. Additionally, it helps create a smooth, pourable batter.
- Unsalted Butter adds richness and a buttery depth that elevates the cake’s flavour. Using unsalted lets you control the salt level.
- Oil ensures the cake stays moist even after a day or two, complementing the butter’s flavour.
- Eggs provide structure and richness, binding the ingredients into a cohesive batter.
- Vanilla Extract rounds out the flavours, because it adds warmth and enhances the chocolate’s sweetness.
How to Make an Easy Chocolate Cake with Ease
A Few Tips for a Perfect Chocolate Cake
- Sift the Dry Ingredients: Sifting prevents lumps and ensures even distribution of the cocoa, flour, and leavening agents.
- Use Room-Temperature Eggs: This helps them blend smoothly into the batter, so you get a uniform texture.
- Don’t Skip the Coffee: Even if you’re not a coffee fan, it’s essential for deepening the chocolate flavour. For example, decaf works just as well!
- Check for Doneness: Ovens vary, so test with a toothpick at 30 minutes. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool Completely Before Frosting: Warm cakes can melt frosting, therefore patience is key for a polished finish.
Share Your Homemade Easy Chocolate Cake
Easy Chocolate Cake from Scratch
15
minutes30-35
minutes50
minutes12 - 16
servingsEasy chocolate cake, one bowl, no mixer, rich, moist, tender and delicious! You'll never buy a packet mix again!
Ingredients
220g plain flour
65g cocoa powder
400g caster sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
240ml buttermilk
2 teaspoons granulated coffee dissolved in 120ml hot water
60g melted unsalted butter
60ml vegetable oil (I use avocado oil)
2 eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions
Preheat and Prepare: First, preheat your oven to 180°C. Grease two 8-inch round cake tins and line the bottoms with baking paper so the cakes release easily.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, sift together the plain flour, cocoa powder, caster sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk gently to ensure everything is well combined.
Mix Wet Ingredients: Add the eggs, buttermilk, melted butter, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Whisk until the batter is smooth and lump-free.
- Add Coffee: After that, slowly add the hot coffee, whisking gently until the batter is smooth. The batter will be thin, this is normal, as it creates a moist cake.
Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared tins to ensure even baking. Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Cool: Finally, allow the cakes to cool in the tins for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Serving Suggestion: Frost with Chocolate Buttercream, and serve with fresh berries or a dusting of icing sugar for an elegant touch.
Like this recipe?
Follow @JustCookiesandCakes on Pinterest
Join our Facebook Group!
Follow Just Cookies & Cakes on Facebook
Go on! You Know You Want to!
Turn this simple easy cake into something really special with a small batch of Chocolate Buttercream Frosting.
Small Batch Chocolate Buttercream
2
cups10
minutesThis recipe makes about 2 cups of frosting. Perfect for filling the centre and covering the top.
Ingredients
85g unsalted butter, room temperature
170g icing sugar, sifted
70g cocoa powder, sifted
80ml full cream milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Directions
Start by mixing the butter with a whisk or hand mixer until smooth.
Next, add the icing sugar and cocoa powder and mix until it begins to incorporate with the butter.
Add the vanilla extract, milk and salt, then mix on high for about 2 minutes. If using a mixer scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl before the final mix.
Spread half between the layers and the other half on top.
Like this recipe?
Follow @JustCookiesandCakes on Pinterest
Join our Facebook Group!
Follow Just Cookies & Cakes on Facebook
