This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.
Learn how to make this Easy Chocolate Cake Recipe from scratch. It is so delicious and actually very simple to make. This recipe is a must try!
Cakes from scratch tend to have a preconceived notion that they are hard to make. This could not be further from the truth.
I’m going to show you how to make a chocolate cake from scratch that is so easy even a beginner can make it. You will never buy a box mix again after you taste this chocolate flavor.
This easy cake recipe is so moist and delicious and makes the best birthday cake. We make this for birthday’s, holidays, special occasions and more! Sometimes, just because.
What's in this post: Easy Chocolate Cake Recipe
Why We Love This Recipe
I love making this chocolate cake for all of our special occasion. This chocolate cake is made from scratch as well as the chocolate buttercream frosting. It is rich, decadent and with these easy steps, anyone can make it.
If you are baker, then you probably already of all the ingredients.
Ingredients
Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.
Variations Ideas
- Gluten Free – If you prefer that the cake be gluten free, substitute the all purpose flour for almond flour.
- Dairy Free Cake – We used buttermilk in this recipe, but you can substitute it with almond milk or coconut milk. You can also substitute the buttermilk with whole milk.
- Egg Substitute – If you are out of eggs you can substitute with applesauce. For the 2 eggs, substitute with 2/3 cups of applesauce. Check out more of The Best Egg Substitutes.
- Espresso Powder – Add in 1 teaspoon of espresso powder to elevate the flavor.
Step by Step Instructions
- Step 1 – Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9×13 baking pan.
Step 2 – In a saucepan, add butter, cocoa powder and water. Whisk constantly until mixture begins to boil. Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 3 – In a mixing bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. Add chocolate mixture and beat well. Add eggs, buttermilk and vanilla and beat well.
Step 4 – Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool completely before topping with the frosting.
Step 5 – Beat the butter on medium speed with a hand held mixer or stand up mixer until the butter is smooth and creamy (2-3 minutes).
Step 6 – Add in the confectioner’s sugar, cocoa powder, 3 tablespoons of the heavy cream, vanilla extract and salt. Mix on low speed until fully combined (approximately 1 minute). Check the frosting consistency and add more heavy cream if needed.
Step 7 – Spread the frosting on the cooled cake. Then the cake is ready to slice, serve and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Combining Ingredients – Combine the dry ingredients and wet ingredients together in a large bowl. Mix together with stand mixer or a hand mixer.
- Baking Pans – You can pour the cake batter into other pans. You can make round cakes in 9-inch cake pans. Layer the cakes and top with a layer of frosting for the best chocolate cake recipe. We have even made chocolate cupcakes with this recipe.
- Chocolate Frosting – We love making Homemade Chocolate Frosting but you can also use store bought frosting or a chocolate ganache frosting.
Serving Suggestions
This moist chocolate cake recipe is delicious served with this Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream. If you are making this cake for a birthday or a holiday celebration top with fun sprinkles and chopped nuts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can substitute brown sugar for white sugar. Check out these other substitutes for Brown Sugar.
Store you leftover chocolate in an airtight container at room temperature. The cake will last about 3-4 days.
Yes, you can make the frosting and the chocolate cake ahead of time. The cake needs time to come to room temperature before being frosted. I like to make the cake about a day ahead of time for best results.
Yes, unfrosted chocolate cake can be placed in the freezer. We recommend wrapping the cake in plastic wrap and then in foil to prevent freezer burn. If the cake is wrapped properly the cake will last about 3 months. When you are ready to enjoy, thaw the cake overnight in the fridge and then it is ready to be frosted.
More Easy Cake Recipes
- Easy Vanilla Cake Recipe
- Chocolate Cherry Cake Recipe
- Peach Dump Cake Recipe
- Jello Poke Cake
- Pineapple Upside Down Cake
More Easy Chocolate Desserts
- Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Balls Recipe
- White Chocolate Peppermint Brownies Recipe
- 4 Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe
- Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake
We love to hear from you. If you make this Easy Chocolate Cake Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.
Easy Chocolate Cake Recipe
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1 cup butter
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups All Purpose Flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter (softened)
- 3 cups Confectioners Sugar
- 1/2 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 3-4 Tablespoons Heavy Whipping Cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
For the Cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9×13 baking pan.
- In a saucepan, add butter, cocoa powder and water. Stir constantly until mixture begins to boil. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. Add chocolate mixture and beat well.
- Add eggs, buttermilk and vanilla and beat well.
- Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool completely before topping with the frosting.
For the Frosting:
- Beat the butter on medium speed with a hand held mixer or stand up mixer until the butter is smooth and creamy (2-3 minutes).
- Add in the confectioner’s sugar, cocoa powder, 3 tablespoons of the heavy cream, vanilla extract and salt. Mix on low speed until fully combined (approximately 1 minute). Check the frosting consistency and add more heavy cream if needed.
- Spread the frosting on the cooled cake.
- Then the cake is ready to slice, serve and enjoy!
Oh my! My daughter and I made this cake this weekend! So good!!
I’m so glad you loved it!