Light, moist, and perfect for any celebration, this classic chocolate cake mixes up quickly in a single bowl with ingredients you likely have on hand. (And the gluten-free adaptation fools even the gluten-eaters!)
When it comes to chocolate cake, this tried-and-true recipe is, without a doubt, the best that I have found. It has been a birthday favorite in my family for years, and I usually top it with an equally incredible homemade caramel frosting. As if fabulous taste and perfect texture aren’t enough, this cake is so easy to make–it mixes up quickly in one bowl with basic pantry ingredients!
For our latest birthday celebration–February is a big birthday month in our family with three of them–I decided to revisit an even older frosting favorite, Foolproof Peanut Butter Frosting. I am such a big fan of chocolate cake with fluffy peanut butter frosting that I chose this combination for our wedding cake. Though it wasn’t the pretty white cake that most brides select, it sure was delicious and most of the plates were crumb-less!
This light and moist chocolate cake is an old recipe from the Hershey’s cocoa canister, which I lightly adapted. For those who need it, the recipe also work’s beautifully with a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour and can be easily modified to be vegan.
For my son’s 12th birthday, I substituted my gluten-free flour blend, and the results were every bit as moist and delicious as the standard version with all-purpose flour. Coincidently, my older son told us at dinner about a girl in his algebra class that had to go gluten-free recently. She has said that so many of the store-bought products her mom has bought for her haven’t tasted very good. My son decided she might like a piece of this cake, so we wrapped up a big piece and he brought it to math class the next day. He said she was thrilled, which made us all happy.
My best tip with this cake is to monitor the baking time. The only way the cake will be dry is if it is overcooked. To be on the safe side, simply check a few minutes early since all ovens vary a little.
Classic Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
- 2 cups (384g) granulated sugar
- 1¾ cups (222g) all-purpose flour (I've used this gluten-free flour blend and the brands listed in the recipe notes with outstanding results*)
- ¾ cups (60g) Hershey's cocoa (regular, not Dutched)
- 1½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup (240ml) milk (I typically use 2% or whole; a non-dairy milk may be used)
- ½ cup (112ml) canola or safflower oil
- 2 teaspoons (10ml) vanilla
- 1 cup (227ml) boiling water**
Instructions
- Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Beat with a hand or stand mixer until completely mixed, 30 seconds to one minute. Stir in the boiling water. The batter will be thin.
- Pour into two, well greased or parchment lined, 9-inch round cake pans. Bake at 350℉ for 25-30 minutes or until a tooth pick inserted in the center comes out clean. I always check a few minutes early but find 25 minutes is perfect in my oven. Keep in mind that dark-coated baking pans tend to cook a bit faster than light-colored pans. The trick to a perfect cake is to remove it from the oven when it is just cooked through, so check a few minutes early to avoid overcooking.
- Cool the cakes for 10-15 minutes in the pans, and then remove to baking racks and cool completely. Frost as desired.
Notes
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