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This homemade chocolate cake recipe is rich, moist, and incredibly easy to make. If you’ve ever wondered how to make homemade chocolate cake without a box mix, this classic layer cake delivers bakery-quality results using simple pantry ingredients.
Looking for an easy chocolate cake made with cake mix? Try my copycat Portillo’s chocolate cake with homemade chocolate frosting, which upgrades a box of cake mix by adding mayo for delicious results.
Why you’ll love this chocolate cake recipe from scratch!
Okay, don’t get me wrong—I love upgrading boxed cake mix to make desserts. But sometimes you want to make a cake from scratch!
I was recently snowed in without a box of cake mix in sight, but luckily I had all the ingredients I needed to make a homemade recipe without cake mix. It was so good, it made me wish we were snowed in more often! (This Wacky Cake is another recipe great for days when you’re stuck inside, as is this Texas Sheet Cake recipe.)
- Deep chocolate flavor: Cocoa powder gives the cake rich chocolate taste.
- Super moist texture: Boiling water helps create a soft, tender crumb.
- Simple pantry ingredients: No special ingredients required.
- Perfect layer cake: Bakes beautifully in two 9-inch pans.
- Great for any occasion: Birthdays, holidays, or just because.
Table of Contents
Ingredients You Need
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Sugar – Sweetens the cake and balances the cocoa.
- All-purpose flour – If you’d like to make a gluten-free chocolate cake, simply swap in a cup-for-cup all-purpose flour substitute.
- Cocoa – Don’t use cocoa mix, which has sugar in it. You want to use either natural unsweetened cocoa powder or Dutch process cocoa powder.
- Baking powder, baking soda, and salt – Standard dry ingredients for a cake recipe.
- Eggs – Let the eggs come to room temperature before you start baking. This will make for a lighter, fluffier cake!
- Milk – Adds moisture and tenderness.
- Vegetable oil – Or canola oil.
- Vanilla extract – Adds warmth and depth of flavor.
- Boiling water – Helps dissolve the cocoa and creates a smooth batter.
How to Make Homemade Chocolate Cake
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, sift together the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the Wet Ingredients: Add the eggs, milk, oil and vanilla to the bowl with the dry ingredients; beat with a mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes. Stir in the boiling water. The cake batter will be thin, but don’t worry—it’s fine!
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
- Finish: Cool the cakes in the pans on wire racks for 10 minutes, then carefully remove the cakes from pans and let them finish cooling directly on the racks. Make the frosting, layer, and decorate as desired. Then serve! (Here’s the best way to cut round cakes.)
Decorating Ideas
This homemade chocolate cake recipe is incredibly versatile when it comes to decorating.
- Top with chocolate buttercream frosting or Cream Cheese Frosting.
- Add chocolate chips or chocolate curls around the sides.
- Decorate with fresh berries for a simple, elegant look.
- Add colorful sprinkles for birthdays.
How to Store
- Room temperature: Store the cake covered for up to 24 hours.
- Refrigerator: Keep refrigerated in an airtight container for 4–5 days.
- Freezer: Chocolate cake freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Boiling water helps dissolve the cocoa powder and creates a smoother batter, resulting in a softer and more tender cake.
Yes. Substitute the all-purpose flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend designed for baking.
Yes. A small handful of mini chocolate chips adds extra richness and texture.
Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean or with a few crumbs, the cake is ready.
More Chocolate Cake Recipes You’ll Love
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Need help with this recipe?
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Homemade Chocolate Cake Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup cocoa
- 1 1/2 tsps baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsps baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 tsps vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
Chocolate Frosting
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.
- In a large bowl, sift together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt.2 cups sugar, 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup cocoa, 1 1/2 tsps baking powder, 1 1/2 tsps baking soda, 1 tsp salt
- Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes.2 eggs, 1 cup milk, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 2 tsps vanilla extract
- Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pans.1 cup boiling water
- Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
- Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely before frosting.homemade chocolate frosting
Notes
- Use room temperature eggs for best texture.
- Sift cocoa powder to prevent lumps.
- Let cake layers cool completely before frosting.
- Use a serrated knife to cut clean slices.
I’m hoping that baking this cake in a bundt pan won’t upset the outcome , or myself … what do you think? Also I’m not understanding the purpose of a cup of boiling water added to the beaten mixture .Enlighten me if you would. Thank you so much Kasey. ✌️ peace
Hi
I am going to try this recipe since I cannot find Duncan Hines Swiss Chocolate cake mix anymore. I am a little confused by the measurements listed. When you say 1 – 1/2 tsps of baking powder do you mean 1 1/2 tsps or 1/2 tsp? It will make a difference in the cake. Also, i need to use a 9X13 pan. Should I double the recipe? Thank you.
Hi Norma! Sorry for any confusion. We have updated the recipe card to make it clearer. You should be able to use the same amount of ingredients. We hope you enjoy!
I have been wanting to make this cake for my moms birthday but you didn’t put any measurements of the ingredients so I have no idea how much if everything I’m supposed to put.
Were you able to find the measurements they were listed in there
Fantastic recipe, I cannot wait to try it.
Excellent very Yummy! I will make it again, for sure.