Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake has to be one of the most decadent, delicious and easy cakes I have ever made! Simply combine all ingredients together, pour into a pan and bake. That is it! You will never want to use a prepared cake mix again once you try this recipe!
I’m definitely not a cake snob, I’m happy to use a boxed cake mix in a pinch (or even to doctor them up like in my favorite Chocolate Banana Cake). But seriously, this Mayonnaise Cake makes even boxed cake mixes seem like work! Mix ingredients together, pour into a pan, bake…done!
If you believe you are not a baker at heart, you’ll love this Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake recipe because it’s so easy – even you can bake it perfectly!
Don’t let the idea of mayonnaise in a cake scare you away. Mayonnaise is basically made of oil and eggs which are in pretty much every cake recipe and it truly makes this cake moist and decadent.
TIPS FOR A PERFECT CAKE
- Using full fat mayonnaise produces the best results. Light versions work but it will change the texture of the cake and make it chewier.
- Don’t overmix the batter. It may appear slightly lumpy but that is ok.
- Use room temperature eggs. If your eggs are cold, place them in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes. There are no eggs in this recipe but a great tip when baking cakes in general!
- When measuring flour it’s important to remember not to scoop it into the measuring cup directly from your flour container (this packs it down and measures too much flour). Simply spoon the flour into your dry measuring cup and level the excess off with a straight edge.
- Do not over bake your cake. Check it by inserting a toothpick into the cake. If the toothpick comes out clean, your cake is good.
I can remember being a teenager and my friend’s mom made a mayonnaise cake. I have to admit that 3o years later, I still remember that moist tender cake and how amazing it was! When I got my hands on a pile of vintage recipe books and saw this recipe again, I knew I had to make it. There is a good reason this old fashioned mayonnaise cake recipe has been around for so long!
You can use any kind of frosting on this cake including my One Minute Easy Chocolate Frosting or my favorite Chocolate Ganache Frosting. This Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake is so wonderfully simple and unbelievably delicious that your friends will be asking for the recipe!
Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup creamy salad dressing Miracle Whip or mayonnaise
- 1 cup water lukewarm
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Mix together all the ingredients in a large bowl.
- Pour into prepared baking dish.
- Bake in preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow to cool completely.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
More Recipes You’ll Love
Chocolate Poke Cake From Scratch
Not really sure if I accidentally added too much baking soda or if i’m just not really used to the taste of it. The cake is overall good, but as I mentioned, it has a soapy aftertaste.
You mention eggs at room temperature but your recipe for Chocolate Mayonaise Cake doesn’t have eggs in it – can you clarify?
Hi Melanie, this recipe doesn’t have any eggs in it, it is just a helpful tip for making perfect cakes!
Had this chocolate cake growing up, and my mom called it wacky cake. Made it last week and it was so good, that I made another one today in my 9 X 13 baking dish. If I wanted to make a simple white cake or lemon cake like this what recipe do you suggest. My husband loves the lemon cake. I used to use a boxed lemon cake(now too expensive on Amazon or not available) and when cooked drizzled a combination of lemon juice and sugar all over the cake. It was good as it wasn’t sweet but had a nice taste. I will never buy another chocolate boxed cake again as this was so good! Thank you.
Worse cake recipe ever! The only reason I even gave a 1 start is because I should’ve know to never try a new recipe when it’s someone’s birthday at work. It was so dry and tasteless that I took it and threw it in the trash. It was that bad. But, again, my fault for trying a new recipe without first testing it at home. I am a very good baker so I know it wasn’t me.
Sorry to hear that you didn’t enjoy this recipe Christine. Thanks for trying it.
Made this cake many times growing up. The one tip we used was adding the baking soda to the warm water and mixing until baking soda was completely dissolved and then adding to cake mixture. Mix well and bake. This method might help bitter taste and being too dry.
Is there a frosting recipe for the mayonnaise cake?
We love topping it with this chocolate frosting or this easy chocolate buttercream frosting.
I’m going to try this but I’m concerned about the mayo. You mention either mayo (hellman’s) or Miracle whip. These are two different tastes. I’m torn. Can you elaborate.
Either will work in this recipe, I personally find the flavor of the mayonnaise or Miracle whip can’t be detected. I most often use Hellmann’s since it’s what I have on hand.
This recipe is so good that I finished eating the mayonnaise before I even put it in the mixture. Fantastic!
So happy you enjoyed it, Charles!
I have used this recipe several times and I really like it. I make a half batch and bake it in an 8” round pan. It satisfies my urge for chocolate.
Tastes great but the texture and consistency is a little off. I think the batter is not wet enough. Will try and add a bit more liquid next time.
I grew up on Mayonnaise Cake, but lately when I make it there is a bitter taste to it. Do you have any suggestions how to avoid this?
Hi Tina, the bitter taste could be coming the cocoa powder. I would just make sure the cocoa powder is still fresh and if still coming out bitter you can try a different brand of cocoa powder or adding a little extra sugar to suit your tastes.
The chocolate flavor was great, but it was dry. We don’t use frosting much, so the dryness was not pleasant.
I’m surprised that the cake was dry Barbara, we find this to be a very moist cake. Glad you love the flavor of it!
Cons: It fell apart
Pros: Moist, delicious, easy to make and goes great with ice cream or coffee.
I will make this again!
So happy you enjoyed it, Yolanda.
Was very dry and fell apart I’m a Baker this wasn’t good sorry
So sorry to hear that Christine, this recipe is usually a success for readers.
This was always my dad’s favorite cake. He didn’t even have to have frosting. Made it many, many times over the years!!
Mine was super moist and popular
Delicious! Easy n like my grandma made!
I am glad I made this cake before I read the comments. I have made it four or five times with 1 substitution, I only use Dukes. It has turned out perfect every time. I wonder if the temperature of their water could have been too cool or too hot. Thanks for another great recipe.
So glad you loved it Sandy, it’s a favorite for us too.
Was really looking forward to something other than the box mix but this wasn’t it. I was disappointed. The batter tasted good but although tooth pick came out beautifully clean after about 37 minutes it wasn’t done. It had somewhat of a crisp outer layer yet wasn’t done for the most part – too pasty to eat. I read the baking tips, made no changes, measured carefully and followed the recipe exactly; used Dukes mayo and have a good working oven. Glad for those who had a good result but I will check out butter and egg recipes.
Sorry to hear that you didn’t enjoy this recipe Linda. Thanks for trying it.
I don’t get it. I followed your recipe EXACTLY and used a chocolate glaze topping. OMG. This was an amazing cake. I see a few complaints on here and wonder what they did wrong because this was the best cake I have ever made….I have to go now…need another piece.
So happy you enjoyed this recipe, Jill!
Set my oven for 30 minutes as the cake looked done. Felt if it and took it out at 25 minutes. It was almost burnt. Crispy on the sides and bottom overly done. My oven ordinarily cooked properly so I would say watch it closely. Maybe take out after 20 minutes. A little disappointed as I was really looking forward to it turning out great. It was not moist but more dry and crispy on the edges.
Thanks for trying this recipe, Lesa. I am sorry it didn’t turn out as expected. With have not had a problem with this cake overcooking but I would definitely watch it closely towards the end if it is looking over cooked!
Do you have a good recipe for chocolate frosting for this cake?
We love topping it with this chocolate frosting or this easy chocolate buttercream frosting.
My husband grew up on this type of cake and asked me to find a recipe. What a hit! Perfect cake and easy to make. Super moist! I’ve used both light and regular Miracle Whip and it comes out perfectly each time.
I just baked this. It was definitely easy. Easier than the banana bread which I have baked a few times already. The cake was crumbly and had a bitter aftertaste. What could be the cause?
Hi Jamie, the crumble could be too much flour, you can check out our flour measuring guide for more information on that. As for the bitter taste, that comes from the cocoa powder. You will want to make sure your cocoa powder is fresh. Hope that helps!
Thanks so much for the tips and for coming back so quickly. Much appreciated. Love watching your videos as I’m a lefty too.
I made this cake exactly as directed. I did not even bake it fir all of the 30 minutes ( so it was not over baked ) It crumbled when you cut it. I usually make the Hellman’s Mayo cake.. did not really compare the two until after.. this cake has no eggs.. and less liquid.
Not moist. Sorry but not a winner.
Hi Tracey, instead of eggs we use mayonnaise in this recipe. But I am sorry to hear this cake didn’t turn out well for you. If it was too dry it may have been too much flour added to the mixture. You can check out our flour measuring guide for more info and tips.