Decadent. Fudgy. Sweet. Chocolate Cake has got to be the most craved 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 as this is what makes the cake super soft and moist.
The ONLY thing you can add to this already perfect cake recipe is a couple teaspoons of 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?
This perfect combination of oil, milk and boiling water 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 convention 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)
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
- 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.
Katharine Johnston says
Having read the latest comments about the cake refusing to leave its tin, I left it in a dying oven with the door a crack open. Popped out OK . Its crumbs taste a bit of bicarb but so far so good.
Laura says
Made this today. I used 2 8” pans sand cooked a little longer, around 40 minutes. I let it sit for 10 minutes and went to take it out of the pan. I had to loosen the sides and finally got the bottom out but lost about 1/4 of the bottom. I’m letting the other cake cool completely in the pan hoping to not lose any of it. That being said, the taste of the cake that was stuck in the bottom of the pan is absolutely delicious, which is why I gave it 5 stars! Next time I make it, and there definitely will be a next time, I’m going to line the bottom with parchment paper and spray that. I didn’t have espresso coffee so I made a strong Keurig 8 oz cup of hot coffee and used that. Can’t wait to make the frosting.
Sarah says
First time baker and the recipe worked out great! Whole family loved it, super soft and moist!
Janine says
By FAR, the best chocolate cake I’ve ever had!! Recipe is simple and the result is gorgeous! Such a crowd pleaser! I used 2 tsps of coffee when adding the boiling water. Also dampened the layers with a simple sugar syrup and achieved perfection😄
Janine says
Oops also forgot to mention I reduced the sugar to 1.5cups instead of 2cups, only because I knew I was going to add a sugar syrup after baking. I also used Cadbury’s cocoa powder instead of Hersheys, due to availability.
Olivia says
The very best (and easiest) chocolate cake!!! Made it for my daughter’s bday and it was a hit.
I used 1 cup of sugar instead of 2 as I though the frosting will be sweet enough.
Also ended up using less sugar in the frosting – after about 2 cups, it seemed like it was sweet enough and the right consistency and quantity (actually there was even a little left over, which we ate with a spoon as I couldnt bring myself to throw it away 🙈). Thank you, Karina for yet another foolproof delicious recipe!!
Ella J. says
My daughter and I made this tonight. It was delicious. Took a 1/4 and shared with the neighbors and they loved it too. 🙂 I too was wondering about the watery batter but as others mentioned, came out moist and the right amount of dense. Thank you!
Nisa George says
This is literally the best fool-proof chocolate cake recipe!! I have made it multiple times and sometimes with cousins and it always comes out sooooo good!! I have gotten so many compliments on this cake recipe!
Ritwika Roy says
This is the best chocolate cake recipe hands down. Have made it at least 7-8 times by now. Made it for my family gathering last week and this cake was the talk of the evening. It was loved equally by kids and the adults.