Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Frosing
re you on the hunt for an easy chocolate cake recipe that delivers mouthwatering results without complicated steps? Look no further!
Imagine a moist, rich chocolate cake that’s not only simple to make, but also utilizes ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. Our favorite recipe is just that—and it’s perfect for any occasion! Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, an anniversary, or even if it’s just a Tuesday and you need a sweet treat to brighten your day, this cake will hit the spot.
Just picture the scene: A warm, freshly baked chocolate cake cooling on the counter, the aroma wafting through your home, making everyone wonder what deliciousness is on the menu. And the best part? Once it’s baked to perfection, you can take it to the next level by smothering it with our homemade chocolate frosting. Trust us, this frosting is the cherry on top of an already amazing cake!
So, gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to bring a little joy into your kitchen. This cake isn’t just for special occasions—it’s a delightful way to indulge in some self-care and treat yourself or your loved ones.
Looking for more easy dessert recipes? Check out our favorite chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, my favorite caramel bars, plus lots more favorite best recipes!
basic chocolate cake ingredients
Start by gathering your chocolate cake ingredients:
- all-purpose flour
- granulated sugar
- unsweetened cocoa powder
- baking powder
- baking soda
- salt
- espresso powder (optional)
- milk
- vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- boiling water
easy chocolate cake
Begin by preheating your oven to 350º F.
Prepare two 9-inch cake pans by spraying with baking spray or buttering and lightly flouring.
basic chocolate cake recipe
In a large mixing bowl (or your stand mixer bowl), combine the following ingredients: flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and espresso powder.
The espresso powder is optional, but before you decide to ditch it – it enhances the chocolate flavor, making it richer and more intense! Plus, it helps balance the sweetness perfectly.
Simple chocolate cake recipe
Add milk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla to flour mixture and mix together on medium speed until well combined.
homemade chocolate cake recipe
Carefully add boiling water and mix slowly, carefully until smooth and even.
Easy chocolate cake recipe
Distribute cake batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the chocolate cake comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for about 10 minutes, remove from the pan and cool completely.
Homemade chocolate frosting
While the cake is cooking, it is time to whip up the delicious chocolate frosting! Here is what you need for the chocolate frosting from scratch:
- butter softened
- unsweetened cocoa
- confectioner’s sugar aka powdered sugar
- milk
- vanilla extract
- espresso powder (optional, unless you are a coffee lover skip this ingredient)
Chocolate Icing Homemade
Add cocoa to a large bowl or bowl of stand mixer. Whisk through to remove any lumps. Cream together butter and cocoa powder until well-combined.
Best homemade chocolate frosting
Start by adding 1 cup of sugar and a tablespoon of milk. Blend well, then crank the mixer to high for about a minute! Repeat this until all sugar and milk are in. Don’t forget to mix in some vanilla extract and a dash of espresso powder for extra flavor.
homemade chocolate frosting recipe
Whip until it forms the right light, fluffy consistency where you can spread it.If your frosting is too dry, simply add milk one tablespoon at a time until it’s just right. If it’s too wet and won’t hold its shape, add more confectioner’s sugar, also by the tablespoon, until you achieve the perfect consistency.
Chocolate Cake
Ready to assemble the cake? Put the first layer on your serving platter. Now top with a big dollup of your homemade chocolate frosting. Spread evently and add more frosting as needed so you have a nice 1″ or so layer.
HINT: You can put parchment paper around the endes of the cake to make sure you don’t get the platter dirty and then just remove the paper after you’ve finished frosting the cake.
Chocolate cake recipes
Carefully add the second layer on top of the frosting. Now top with the remaining frosting. to cover the top and the sides.
Moist chocolate cake
How beautiful is that? You can top it with fruit, pipe happy birthday, add candles, sugar flours, etc. The choices for decoraitng this cocoa cake are endless.
I choose to simply add some fresh raspberries. It is so simple, pretty, elegant, and you can’t beat the chocolate and raspberry combination! Yum!
Chocolate cake with raspberries
This recipe is so easy and comes out perfect every time. It is our family go-to chocolate cake.
Chocolate and raspberry cake
I love that this cake is chocolatey, but not too rich. It satisfies this chocolate lover’s craving perfectly. Your family will love this too!
If you have any leftovers just cover with with foil or a cake dome. Not that it will be around that long, but eat it within 5 days.
Ready for a slice of our easy chocolate cake? I know I’m ready for one!
Easy, Moist Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Frosting Recipe
Ingredients
Chocolate Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose
- 2 cups granulated white sugar
- 3/4 cup sunsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoons espresso powder
- 1 cups milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
Chocolate Frosting
- 1 1/2 cups butter softened
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder
Topping of choice
Instructions
Chocolate Cake
- Prepare two 9-inch cake pans by spraying with baking spray or buttering and lightly flouring
- In a large mixing bowl (or your stand mixer bowl), combine the following ingredients: flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and espresso powder.
- Add milk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla to flour mixture and mix together on medium speed until well combined.
- Carefully add boiling water and mix slowly, carefully until smooth and even.
- Distribute cake batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the chocolate cake comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for about 10 minutes, remove from the pan and cool completely.
Chocolate Frosting
- Add cocoa to a large bowl or bowl of stand mixer. Whisk through to remove any lumps. Cream together butter and cocoa powder until well-combined.
- Start by adding 1 cup of sugar and a tablespoon of milk. Blend well, then crank the mixer to high for about a minute! Repeat this until all sugar and milk are in. Don’t forget to mix in some vanilla extract and a dash of espresso powder for extra flavor.
- Whip until it forms the right light, fluffy consistency where you can spread it.If your frosting is too dry, simply add milk one tablespoon at a time until it’s just right. If it’s too wet and won’t hold its shape, add more confectioner’s sugar, also by the tablespoon, until you achieve the perfect consistency.
- Ready to assemble the cake? Put the first layer on your serving platter. Now top with a big dollup of your homemade chocolate frosting. Spread evently and add more frosting as needed so you have a nice 1″ or so layer.HINT: You can put parchment paper around the endes of the cake to make sure you don’t get the platter dirty and then just remove the paper after you’ve finished frosting the cake.
- Carefully add the second layer on top of the frosting. Now top with the remaining frosting. to cover the top and the sides.
Basic chocolate cake recipe from scratch
Satisfy your sweet tooth with our easy chocolate cake recipe, topped with homemade chocolate frosting—perfect for any celebration or just because!
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So good! Thanks
This was perfect – super chocolately but not too rich. Super moist too!
10 STARS!
Love the tart strawberries- were a perfect balance for the chocolate.
New favorite cake! Thanks for another great recipe!
The chocolate frosting is so good I kept snitching fingerfulls!! Love it!
Made this for my husbands birthday and it was a huge hit! No leftovers LOL!