Chocolate Cake is a deliciously decadent dessert that has been a staple on our table for as long as I can remember! This easy recipe makes a rich and delicious cake that is perfectly tender and moist.
Top it with the best ever Chocolate Buttercream Frosting, a drizzle of Easy Caramel Sauce or simply whipped cream and strawberries for the perfect dessert!
Remember Gramma’s famous chocolate cake recipe that brought the whole family to the table after Sunday dinner? Or sold at a church bake sale? Or was enjoyed with a fresh, cold glass of lemonade on a hot summer’s day? Hershey’s famous chocolate cake recipe is one I’ve enjoyed pretty much my entire life. Simple. Delicious. Perfect.
Enjoy this easy to make chocolate cake anytime you feel an urge for something rich and sinfully divine!
How to Make a Chocolate Cake
Making this easy chocolate cake takes just a few simple steps!
- Choose your pan size: Preheat the oven and prep your cake pans. You will want to check the recipe notes below for more information on what type of baking pan you want to use or for “bite-sized” portions try making cupcakes!
- Combine dry ingredients: Whisk the mixture to incorporate all of the ingredients (and whisking means no sifting required).
- Add wet ingredients: Beat with a hand mixer until the batter is well mixed!
- Add boiling water: Slowly add boiling water to the batter – it will seem thin at this point, but that’s okay! It’s going to bake into a light, fluffy, spongy chocolate cake! Mmmmm….
How to Bake a Chocolate Cake
The time needed to bake homemade chocolate cake can depend on the size/shape of the baking pan you’re using!
- 9×13 pan – 35-40 minutes
- 8″ round pans – 30-35 minutes
- Cupcakes – 22-25 minutes.
If making cupcakes, line the pan with paper liners and fill wells 2/3 full.
How to Tell if a Cake is Done
- A great way to check if a cake is done is to insert a wooden toothpick into the cake and if the wooden pick comes out clean, it is ready.
- If you don’t have a toothpick, gently press on the cake and it should spring back. If the cake leaves an indent of a fingerprint, it needs a few more minutes.
Remove them from the oven and allow to cool either on a rack or on a kitchen towel on the counter. You will want to make sure they are fully cooled before moving onto decorating your cake or cupcakes. This keeps the icing from melting and sliding off! We’d hate to waste any delicious frosting!
How to Decorate Chocolate Cake
Homemade frosting is easy and honestly the best (this chocolate icing is my fave).
If you’re in a hurry, one can of frosting will cover a sheet cake or be enough for cupcakes, but two cans are needed for three layers (8” round).
We love changing the flavor of this recipe just by changing the delicious frosting we top it with!
- For a really decadent double chocolate cake, whip up some easy Chocolate Buttercream Frosting or Chocolate Ganache Frosting.
- Feeling nutty? Nutella frosting recipe.
- In a rush? One Minute Easy Chocolate Frosting
- For a cool flavor option, try Peppermint Buttercream Frosting.
- Or any regular buttercream frosting recipe will do. To make it suit any occasion, try tinting with food coloring, like pink or yellow!
Sprinkle on multi-colored sprinkles or chocolate jimmies. This is the best chocolate cake recipe for birthdays, so get some fun candles and celebrate someone special! They will love this yummy birthday treat!
Got Leftovers?
If you can’t finish it in one sitting, no worries! Chocolate cake will keep covered at room temperature or sometimes you can put it in the fridge for a cold, tasty treat with a glass of milk at the end of the day!
To Freeze Chocolate Cake: Of course, this cake freezes beautifully but there’s never any left to freeze in my house!
More Amazing Cakes You NEED!
- The Best Carrot Cake – incredibly moist and easy to make.
- Easy Chocolate Cake – so rich & decadent
- Mini Cheesecakes – delicious handheld portions!
- Oreo No Bake Cheesecake – perfect for hot summer days.
- Tres Leches Cake – so moist, we can’t get enough!
- Chocolate Poke Cake From Scratch – chocolate + chocolate + chocolate!
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Grease and flour your baking pan (see size information in the notes below) or line your muffin pan with paper liners for cupcakes.
- In a large bowl, combine sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
- Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla to dry mixture and mix with an electric mixer on medium for about 2 minutes. Gently mix in boiling water. Note: Your batter will seem thin, it's ok.. it's supposed to!
- Pour into pans and bake. Cool on wire racks.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dessert
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Original recipe from Hershey’s!
I made this on a whim as I was craving McCain Cake & am I ever glad I made it!!
This cake is sooooo good!! I took some time to read the reviews but I decided to try the recipe as it was and it did not fail!
My staff and hubby asked for more as soon as it was devoured, and when I asked my staff what they wanted as a reward for making it into work after a huge snow dump in our city and I will be making this 3 more times this week! One for each of my brave team members and one for me and my hubby! I will be trying it with a cup of strong good coffee instead of hot water first to see if I like it.
Thank you!
Quick question: will soymilk work as a substitute for the milk? I am making this for a friend who can’t eat dairy.
Thanks in advance for your response!
Soymilk should work just fine in this recipe.
Yummy! You have made it easy by this easy recipe. Thanks for sharing your recipe. Farhat.
I made this today for a dessert and omg, it was so good and easy to bake. I would make it again. Thank you for sharing this recipe ❤️!
Could you use two 9″ rounds or would the recipe be too much batter for that? Thank you.
This should work fine in 9″ cake pans but you would likely need 3 pans. You can fill the pans ⅔ cup full and if you have extra batter, you can put it into cupcake pans.
i would like to know if i can use a glass 9 by 13 pan for this recipe
Yes, that would work perfectly.
I made this for family yesterday and it’s just so easy and tasty! I used sweetener instead of sugar and worked just fine! Thank you or sharing this great recipe
First time making a cake from scratch, and it was perfect! I’ll never use a boxed mix again!!! Instructions were great – the cake was super easy to make, and delicious. Everyone raved about it.
The cake does rise quite a bit (I made it in a 9×13), just make sure you are using a deep enough pan and it should be fine.
Thank you for this recipe, this is going to be my “go-to” when I’m looking to impress!!
Makes my day to hear that Brian! So glad you enjoyed the cake!
It turned superb!!! Only it sat in from the center why?
I find mine sinks in the middle if its not done all the way when i open to door
Hi, is this recipe for a single laye cake or a 3 layer cake? I am in a hurry so I appreciate it if u would answer me in a few days. Cuz either wise I would have to Cut the recipe by 3
You can make this recipe in a 9×13 pan and bake for 35 – 40 minutes.
made with evaporated milk and self-rising flour, hand mixed, came out with beautiful crumb, really good recipe
Delicious
This cake was amazing! it wasn’t overpoweringly sweet and had the perfect taste.
Should I divide the batter in to three to get three layers ?
Yes, it should be evenly divided to get three layers and bake about 30 minutes.
Can you use buttermilk instead of milk?
We have only made this recipe as written Nicole. Let us know if you try it!
This cake was amazing!! My 6yr old had his bday yesterday and with the virus I needed a simple cake to make him and this was perfect. I will be making this my go to for now on!! Also your chocolate buttercream was delicious!! Thank you
You’re welcome Liz, so glad you loved the cake!
Hi is it ok to hand mix? Thank you!
Hi Michelle, of course you can hand mix! Just make sure your batter is well mixed :)
Let us know how this recipe turns out for you!
A few chocolate cake recipes require buttermilk. Is it really a requirement?
Buttermilk has acidity which can help with the rise and texture when paired with baking soda as well as adding flavor. If a recipe calls for buttermilk and you don’t have any, you can make your own buttermilk substitute.
Good taste
My husband loved it! He said it could win a blue ribbon at the fair. It was rich, but not heavy, light and moist. Yum! Thanks so much.