The Best Moist Chocolate Cake Recipe

There’s nothing like a rich, moist chocolate cake to satisfy your sweet tooth. Whether it’s for a birthday, celebration, or just because—you can’t go wrong with this classic! This easy, from-scratch recipe uses simple ingredients and delivers bakery-quality results every time.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

1¾ cups all-purpose flour

¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 cups granulated sugar

1½ teaspoons baking powder

1½ teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

1 cup milk

½ cup vegetable oil

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup hot water (or hot coffee for richer flavor)

For the Chocolate Frosting (Optional but recommended):

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

3½ cups powdered sugar

½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

½ teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

¼ cup milk or heavy cream

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pans

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, or line them with parchment paper for easy release.

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix well.

Step 3: Add Wet Ingredients

Add the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract to the bowl. Beat on medium speed until the mixture is smooth and well-combined.

Step 4: Add Hot Water (or Coffee)

Carefully stir in the hot water or coffee. The batter will be thin—don’t worry, this is what makes the cake moist!

Step 5: Bake

Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 6: Let It Cool

Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto wire racks to cool completely before frosting.

Step 7: Make the Frosting

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and salt. Mix in vanilla and milk until the frosting is creamy and spreadable.

Step 8: Assemble and Frost

Place one cake layer on a serving plate, spread frosting on top, then add the second layer and frost the top and sides. Decorate as desired.

Tips for Success

Use room temperature ingredients for a smoother batter.

Hot coffee instead of hot water enhances the chocolate flavor.

Chill the cake before slicing for cleaner cuts.

Final Thoughts

This chocolate cake is rich, tender, and packed with flavor. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just craving something sweet, this recipe is sure to become a favorite. Don’t forget to take a photo before everyone devours it!