The Most Amazing Chocolate Cake Recipe (2024)

Indulge in the ultimate chocolate experience with The Most Amazing Chocolate Cake. Moist, rich, and made in a single bowl, this chocolate cake has received thousands of rave reviews. Satisfy your chocolate cravings with the chocolate cake of your dreams.

The Most Amazing Chocolate Cake Recipe (1)

Are you ready for the most heavenly chocolate cake you’ve ever tasted? After years of testing, we have finally perfected the ultimate chocolate cake recipe. This rich, fudgy chocolate cake will melt in your mouth with every bite. Its fluffy, moist crumb is coated in a thick layer of decadent chocolate frosting, making it a true indulgence for chocolate lovers. And the best part? It’s so easy to make, with just one bowl for the batter.

Our recipe has been tried and loved by tens of thousands of people worldwide, all of whom agree that it is the most amazing chocolate cake ever. In fact, it has gained the nickname “The Matilda Cake” because it resembles the decadent cake eaten by Bruce Bogtrotter in the movie Matilda.

Substitution Options

What is buttermilk and can it be substituted?

Buttermilk is a liquid that is left over after churning butter. It is an important ingredient in this recipe due to the way it interacts with other ingredients. Buttermilk can be easily substituted with a mixture of milk and vinegar or lemon juice, or with almond or soy milk and white vinegar. You can also find more in-depth information on how to make a buttermilk substitute in this post.

Is it possible to make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes, you can make this recipe dairy-free. Simply add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar to almond or soy milk, let it stand for 5 minutes, and use the mixture in place of the buttermilk. You can also use a dairy-free frosting option for the frosting.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, you can easily adapt this recipe to be gluten-free by using a “Cup for Cup” gluten-free flour blend in the same amounts as the regular flour called for in the recipe.

What can be used as a substitute for eggs in this chocolate cake recipe?

There are several options that work well as egg substitutes in this recipe:

  • 1/4 cup of plain yogurt per egg
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar+ 1 teaspoon baking powder whisked together per egg
  • 1/4 cup mashed banana per egg
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce per egg

Adapting the Recipe for Different Sizes and Shapes of Cakes

This chocolate cake recipe yields approximately 9 cups of batter total, or 3 cups for each of the 9-inch layers. Here are some popular pan sizes and the approximate amount of batter needed for each individual pan:

  • 9×2-inch round pan: 3 cups batter
  • 8×2-inch round pan: 2 1/4 cups batter
  • 13×18-inch jelly roll pan: 6 cups batter
  • 9×13-inch pan: 6 cups batter
  • 12 standard cupcakes: 3 cups batter
  • 10-12 cup bundt cake pan: 8 cups batter

As a general rule, cake pans should be filled 2/3rds of the way full for cake baking, unless otherwise specified in the recipe.

It’s always a good idea to check for doneness by inserting a toothpick or cake tester into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached, the cake is likely done. You can also gently press the center of the cake with your finger – if it springs back, it is probably ready to be removed from the oven.

Keep in mind that these are just general guidelines and the actual baking time may vary depending on factors such as your oven’s temperature accuracy, the type of pan you are using, and the altitude at which you are baking. It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on your cake as it bakes and to make any necessary adjustments to the baking time as needed.

Types of Cocoa Powder

Cocoa powder is an important ingredient in many baked goods and can affect the flavor and texture of the final product. It is important to use the type of cocoa powder specified in a recipe, as using the wrong type can alter the balance of flavors and sweetness. There are several types of cocoa powder available, each with its own distinct flavor and properties.

Hershey’s Unsweetened Cocoa Powder was used in this cake recipe as it is widely available to readers. You can also use higher-quality cocoa powders such as Ghiradelli or those from specialty chocolatier shops, but they can be expensive. It is recommended to avoid using inexpensive store brands as they tend to not produce the best results. For the dark-colored frosting in these photos, Hershey’s Special Dark Unsweetened Cocoa Powder was used.

Dutch-process cocoa powder is a type of cocoa that has been treated with an alkali to neutralize its acidity. It has a milder flavor and darker color than natural cocoa powder, and is also easier to dissolve in liquids. When using dutch-process cocoa powder in place of unsweetened cocoa powder in a recipe, it is important to consider that it may behave differently due to its lower acidity. However, in this recipe, dutch-process cocoa can be used without making any other modifications.

Frosting Options

This cake recipe pairs well with the chocolate cream cheese buttercream frosting, but feel free to try other frosting flavors to create your own unique cake. Other frosting options include a chocolate buttercream, whipped chocolate ganache, ermine frosting, 7-minute frosting, sweetened condensed milk frosting, and a pourable chocolate fudge icing that’s suitable for sheet cakes and 9×13 cakes. Simply click on the images below for more information about each of these frosting options.

If you like this recipe, be sure to check out my other amazing cake recipes:

  • White Cake
  • Vanilla Cake Recipe
  • Red Velvet Cake
  • Strawberry Cake
  • Carrot Cake
  • Coconut Cake

Watch the video belowwhere Rachel will walk you through every step of this recipe. Sometimes it helps to have a visual, and we’ve always got you covered with our cooking show. You can find the complete collection of recipes onYouTube,Facebook Watch,or ourFacebook Page, or right here on our website with their corresponding recipes.

The Most Amazing Chocolate Cake Recipe (11)
The Most Amazing Chocolate Cake Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you make a cake taste richer? ›

Add More Eggs

To get an extra rich and moist cake, stir in two extra egg yolks along with the eggs the recipe calls for (save the egg whites to make these delicious meringues). For a lighter and more airy cake, use only egg whites (and save the egg yolks for crème brûlée).

Is brown sugar good for chocolate cake? ›

Brown Sugar Lends Caramel Undertones And Helps Lock In Moisture. Incorporating brown sugar into your chocolate cake recipes can elevate them from good to unforgettable. Tasting Table's recipe developer, Molly Allen, demonstrates this beautifully in her elegant yet simple death by chocolate cake recipe.

How do you make a cake look expensive? ›

Consider using a pedestal stand for added height and drama. Make sure the surface is clean and free of any smudges or crumbs. Additionally, you can adorn the base of the cake with decorative elements such as edible pearls, gold leaf, or sugar flowers to create a visually appealing and luxurious look.

What does extra butter do to a cake? ›

As a commonly used fat, butter is largely responsible for the amount of moisture in your cake, cookies, cupcakes, and so on. So, the more butter you add, the closer you'll get to that ultra-soft texture of your sheet cake dreams. Less butter results in a drier, chewier cake.

Is brown or white sugar better for chocolate cake? ›

That's because brown sugar is more hygroscopic than white sugar, meaning it locks in moisture better. Out of the oven, your chocolate cake won't be crumbly or dry, and you may find that the cake retains its moisture for a longer length of time, thanks to the brown sugar.

Is light or dark brown sugar better for cakes? ›

In a pinch, dark brown sugar can be substituted for light brown; however, when baking recipes sensitive to moisture and density (such as cakes) the difference in moisture content between can affect how well the cake rises. Swapping the two will also affect the recipe's taste and color.

What type of sugar is best for cake? ›

Because of this caster sugar is generally the most versatile and preferred of the two when baking – its small granules mixes more easily and dissolve more readily when combined with other ingredients giving biscuits, cakes, pastries etc.

What is the secret to baking a moist cake? ›

Use Your Ingredients Wisely
  1. Choose Fresh Leavening. ...
  2. Opt For Full-Fat Dairy. ...
  3. Reach For The Right Flour. ...
  4. Don't Double Down. ...
  5. Use Eggs And Butter At Room Temperature. ...
  6. Measure Accurately. ...
  7. Avoid Over Baking.
Apr 5, 2024

Is it better to bake a cake on the top or bottom oven? ›

Where to place oven racks when baking cakes or pies. The center oven rack is ideal for baking cakes and other desserts. However, to achieve the flaky and crispy underside of a pie, positioning the racks lower in your oven can help avoid an undercooked crust.

How to enhance chocolate flavor in cake? ›

To maximize the flavor of chocolate even more, swap out equal amounts of water with brewed coffee. For example, if the recipe calls for one cup of hot water, use one cup of hot brewed coffee. When the recipe calls for milk or buttermilk: Some chocolate cake recipes use milk or buttermilk instead of water or coffee.

Why does my chocolate cake taste like brownie? ›

Another is, the ratio of the ingredients could be off. So, too much flour but not enough baking powder for it to rise properly. Or a lot of sugar, eggs, and cocoa powder and little baking powder, making it more similar to that of a brownie recipe. Maybe your oven temperature was too low.

What happens if you put too much baking powder in a cake? ›

Too much baking powder can cause the batter to be bitter tasting. It can also cause the batter to rise rapidly and then collapse. (i.e. The air bubbles in the batter grow too large and break causing the batter to fall.) Cakes will have a coarse, fragile crumb with a fallen center.

What can I add to cake mix to make it richer? ›

Enrich with fat.

Mix in room-temperature cream cheese, ricotta, sour cream, whole-fat yogurt, or peanut butter in addition to the fat called for on the box to yield even richer cakes.

What adds richness and improve the Flavour of cake? ›

How can I improve the texture and add richness?
  • Don't use water. You can replace water with a more flavorful liquid to enhance your cake. ...
  • Swap oils. There's a time and place for vegetable oil, but we all know butter makes everything taste better. ...
  • Put in an extra egg. ...
  • Add sour cream.
Nov 9, 2022

How can I make my cake taste better? ›

8 Simple Tips and Tricks to Make Box Cake Better
  1. Use Room Temperature Ingredients. ...
  2. Replace Water with Milk or Buttermilk. ...
  3. Substitute Sour Cream in the Mix. ...
  4. Substitute Oil for Butter. ...
  5. Use More Eggs. ...
  6. Add Vanilla Extract. ...
  7. Make It a Chocolate Lovers' Cake. ...
  8. Decorate Your Cake Like A Pro.

How do you fix a bad tasting cake? ›

One way to fix a bitter cake is to add a small amount of an acidic component, which is highly recommended especially when you toss in too much baking soda. If your cake recipe contains chocolate, you can add a ½ teaspoon of cocoa powder. Here are some other ingredients you can try: Lemon juice.

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