A decadent, easy to make Chocolate Cake has got to be the most craved cake recipe in the world.

What makes an exceptional Chocolate Cake? You only need one bowl and minimal ingredients to make this Hershey’s Perfectly Chocolate Cake. Rich in chocolate flavour with a tender-moist crumb, and fluffy with the perfect amount of sweetness. This is what chocolate dreams are made of!

THE BEST CHOCOLATE CAKE RECIPE

Chocolate flavour oozes all through this cake even though it’s only made with cocoa powder, like our very own Fudgy Chocolate Cake. With a crumb so incredibly tender, this cake stays moist for a good 4-5 days. Whether you eat it plain, dust it with powdered sugar or serve with dollops of cream or scoops of ice cream, it truly is perfectly perfect!

Of course, smothering it with a buttercream frosting never hurt anyone.

HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE CAKE

The world famous Hershey’s Perfectly Chocolate Cake recipe ticks all your chocolate-loving boxes: EASY, QUICK AND AMAZING RESULTS.

TIPS: Sift the dry ingredients into a large bowl first to get rid of any hard lumps caused during storage, while getting more air into the mixture.

Then add in your wet ingredients. Just keep in mind that the cake batter is VERY thin. Don’t be tempted to add more flour is this is what makes the cake super soft and moist.

The ONLY thing you can add to this already perfect recipe cake is a couple teaspoons instant coffee or espresso for an even deeper chocolate flavour. Of course, this is totally and COMPLETELY optional. You cannot taste the coffee flavour.

Super-fine cake flour can be used if you have it for an even softer crumb but is not necessary.

WHAT MAKES CHOCOLATE CAKE MOIST?

The perfect combination of oil, milk and boiling water that makes this recipe stand out without having to use melted chocolate. The fats in the oil, protein in milk and temperature of the water makes the chocolate flavour develop nicely while baking and providing the essentials for that moist crumb you’re looking for.

Don’t over-mix OR over-bake. This chocolate cake only needs about 30-35 minutes in the oven, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.

HOW DO YOU MAKE THE BEST CHOCOLATE CAKE?

• Make sure you preheat your oven before starting. We’ve included temperatures for standard AND fan or convection ovens.
• If using springform pans, note that they are NOT 100% leakproof. Very thin cake batters such as this one will leak through the base. To combat this issue, line the base with parchment paper coming up where the sides meets the base to create a ‘cover’. Place a baking sheet on the shelf below the cake pan (or the bottom of the oven) to catch any stray drips. Don’t put cake pans directly on the pan as the heat will effect the base of your cakes.
• Let cakes cool COMPLETELY before frosting. You can make this chocolate cake the day before and frost the next day.

WHAT INGREDIENT MAKES A CAKE RISE BAKING SODA OR BAKING POWDER?

Both raising agents are used in this recipe to ensure it rises enough. The sponge itself contains oil, which is quite a heavy ingredient that normally creates a dense result. Using both raising agents together balance this out to provide just the right amount of rise.

If your cakes turn out flat, make sure you check expiry dates. Keep in mind both baking powder and soda will lose their effectiveness if kept too long in your pantry.

MORE CAKE RECIPES

Best Red Velvet Cake
Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Hot Fudge Chocolate Pudding Cake
Butter Cake with Kahlua Chocolate Cream Frosting
Blueberry Lemon Cheesecake Cake

Chocolate Cake (Hershey's Perfectly Chocolate Recipe)

An easy to make, rich Chocolate Cake is the most craved cake recipe. One bowl, minimal ingredients = a fluffy, tender-moist chocolate cake!

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Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 30 mins

Total: 45 mins

Serves: 12 serves

Ingredients

CHOCOLATE CAKE

• 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour, or (plain flour), (8 oz | 227 g)
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, (2.6 oz | 75 g) or regular Hershey's cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, (or bi-carb soda)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups white granulated sugar, (14 oz | 410 g)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup milk, (250 ml)
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil, (125 ml)
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water (250 ml)

CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

• 4 oz butter, (120 g | 1/2 cup)
• 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, or regular HERSHEY'S (2.4 oz | 65 g)
• 3 cups powdered sugar, (confectioners or icing sugar)
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 

Instructions

CHOCOLATE CAKE

• Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) standard or 320°F (160°C) fan/convection.
• Lightly grease 2x 9-inch (22cm) round cake pans with butter. Line base with parchment paper.
• Sift together flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt into a large bowl. Whisk in sugar, then add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla. Whisk well to combine until lump free, about 30 seconds.
• Pour boiling water into batter, mixing well. Cake batter is thin in consistency.
• Pour batter into cake pans and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a wooden skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
• Let cool for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely before frosting.

CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

• Melt butter, then whisk in cocoa powder. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency (add a small amount of additional milk, if needed). Stir in vanilla.

Notes

COCOA POWDER:

I use a combination of 1/2 cup Dutch processed and 1/4 cup regular unsweetened cocoa powder for a richer cake.

COFFEE:

For a richer chocolate flavour, DISSOLVE 2 teaspoons instant coffee or espresso in the boiling water before adding into the batter. You can't taste the coffee!

SUGAR:

White granulated sugar is used here. You can also use superfine or caster sugar.

SPRINGFORM PAN (PLEASE NOTE)

Springform pans are NOT 100% leakproof. Very thin cake batters such as this one will leak through the base. To combat this issue, line the base with parchment paper coming up where the sides meets the base to create a 'cover'. Place a baking sheet on the shelf below the cake pan (or the bottom of the oven) to catch any stray drips (don't put cake pans directly on the pan).

VARIATIONS FOR CHOCOLATE CAKE SIZES FROM HERSHEY'S

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) standard or 320°F (160°C) fan/convection.

• ONE-PAN CAKE: Use 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Bake 35-40 minutes. 
• THREE LAYER CAKE: You'll need 8-inch round baking pans. Bake 30-35 minutes.
• BUNDT CAKE: Use a 12-cup fluted tube pan. Bake 50-55 minutes. 
• CUPCAKES: Line muffin cups (2-1/2 inches in diameter) with paper bake cups. Fill cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake 22-25 minutes. Makes about 30 cupcakes.

Nutrition

Calories: 351kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 36g