Amazing Chocolate Cake (+VIDEO)

In this post, I'm sharing how to make the BEST classic-style chocolate cake I’ve ever had. Use this recipe for ANY cakes and desserts you like for special occasions.

It is fluffy, not too dense, rich, and incredibly moist. And the best part is; it is so easy to make!

You can also use this recipe for cupcakes or pans of different sizes and shapes.

In this post, you'll learn essential baking tips such as:

• How to make homemade buttermilk
• The difference between baking soda and baking powder
• The purpose of adding vinegar
• How to check if the chocolate cake is baked enough
• How to store chocolate cake properly ......and so on!

Jump to:

• 📌 Frequently Asked Questions
• 📌 What's In Chocolate Cake?
• 📌 How to make Chocolate Cake
• 📌 Tips for Moist Chocolate Cake
• 📌 As Cupcakes
• 📌 VIDEO: Chocolate Cake
• 📌 Uses For Chocolate Cake
• 📌 Chocolate Buttercream
• 📌 Printable Recipe
• Moist Chocolate Cake

📌 Frequently Asked Questions

📌 What's In Chocolate Cake?

Dry Ingredients:

• Granulated sugar
  • It helps to create a moist & soft texture.
• All-purpose flour
• Cocoa powder
  • I like to use dark high quality cocoa powder. Any regular cocoa powder works.
• Baking soda
  • Baking soda reacts to acid (cocoa powder and vinegar for this sponge) and helps to create a fluffier cake with more volume. That is why it is often used for chocolate cake recipes.
• Baking powder
  • Baking powder reacts to moisture and heat and helps to create a fluffier texture. It's often added more for white cakes, butter cakes, etc.
• Salt

Wet Ingredients:

• Whole milk
• White Vinegar
  • If you don't have white vinegar, you can use any other regular vinegar such as apple cider vinegar, rice vinegar, and even lemon juice!
  • The acid of vinegar reacts with baking soda and helps to create a fluffier cake with more volume.
• Egg
  • It helps to create a soft texture.
• Oil
  • I used olive oil as a healthier option. You can use any regular oils, also.
• Vanilla extract
  • You can omit it if you like or add a different flavor.
• Unsalted butter (melted)
  • It gives a richer texture.
• Hot water
  • Use hot simmering water.

Additional Ingredients:

• Butter (soft) or oil to coat all around pans

📌 How to make Chocolate Cake

The 8 Simple Steps:

1. Mix whole milk and vinegar to make buttermilk.
2. Apply a layer of soft butter all around the pan or spray oil and attach a cake liner on the bottom.
3. Mix all the dry ingredients.
4. Mix all the wet ingredients until they look even.
5. Mix wet and dry ingredients until the batter looks smooth.
6. Heat water and butter in a pot until the water starts simmering. Pour about ⅓-1/2 of it into 5 and mix well. Add the rest of the water and butter and mix until the batter looks even.
7. Pour into pans. (540g | 19oz each for 3 8")
8. Bake at 350F/176C until the center bounces back gently or a toothpick comes off clean. 3 8” pans: for about 30 minutes. Let them cool completely before you frost them.

One batch of this recipe makes 1 8" cake (2-4 layers) or about 24 regular cupcakes.

📍 The printable recipe is at the very end of this post.

Jump to Recipe

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📌 Tips for Moist Chocolate Cake

Now, let me share detailed tips on each step that are crucial for making chocolate cake successfully.

Step 1: Mix whole milk and vinegar to make buttermilk.

👩🏻‍🍳 If you don't have buttermilk, no worry! You can make it by mixing milk and vinegar. Wait for 5-10 minutes until it curdles completely. That is why I always start with it first.

Step 2: Apply a layer of soft butter all around the pan or spray oil and attach a cake liner to the bottom.

💬 I always use parchment paper as a cake liner. You can also cover the side with a cake liner as well.

Step 3: Mix all the dry ingredients together.

💬 I recommend sifting flours when you have time but you can still make the delicious chocolate cake even if you don't. This recipe is pretty forgiving!

Step 4: Mix all the wet ingredients.

By then, the buttermilk should be ready!

Mix until everything is evenly mixed.

Step 5: Mix wet and dry ingredients until the batter looks smooth.

👩🏻‍🍳 At the beginning, it'll look lumpy like the image below but if you continue mixing, it'll get very smooth!

Step 6: Heat water and butter in a pot until the water starts simmering. Pour about ⅓-1/2 of it into 5 and mix well. Add the rest of the water and mix until the batter looks even.

💡 Pay close attention especially toward the end so that the water is not boiling out. Once it looks simmering gently, remove it from the heat. I usually start heating the pot right before I mix the wet and dry ingredients.

Step 7: Pour into pans. (540g | 19oz each for 3 8")

💬 You can also do 2-4 layers as you like. Just know that baking time changes depending on how big the pans are and how thick the batter is. I do not recommend pouring it too deep in one pan (although it's possible) since the finished cake gets heavier as well due to the weight.

Step 8: Bake at 350F/176C for about 30 minutes with 3 8" pans

Bake until the center bounces back gently or a toothpick comes off clean.

Let them cool completely before you frost them.

👩🏻‍🍳 The cake is VERY soft and fragile while it's hot. Try not to flip the pan vigorously. Wait until it cools down or flip it very gently.

📌 As Cupcakes

Bake at the same temperature for 16-18 minutes for regular-size cupcakes.

📌 VIDEO: Chocolate Cake

To learn how to make this chocolate cake visually and have a deeper understanding of all, watch this video.

Don't forget to subscribe if you liked it😉

📌 Uses For Chocolate Cake

Use this cake as a classic buttercream chocolate cake, wedding cake, birthday cake, loaf cake, or sheet cake... enjoy it in many shapes and sizes!

Check out this post to see all of my tips to frost a cake professionally.

📌 Chocolate Buttercream

To learn how to make the delicious chocolate buttercream, I used for the whole cake and cupcakes, watch the video below:

In the video, I'm sharing how to make 2 kinds of chocolate buttercream; with cocoa powder and melted chocolate, using any plain buttercream. I'm sharing the difference between the two in the video. Pick whichever you like! I used chocolate buttercream with melted chocolate this time.

💬 If you loved this recipe, please share your feedback on this post! I always love to hear how you enjoyed it at home with your friends and family.

📌 Printable Recipe

Also, if you have ripe bananas next time, try my chocolate banana cake recipe! It is so moist and tender and perfectly chocolatey. If you love this recipe, you'll like that one too!

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