Best Chocolate Cake Recipe (Easy & Moist)

This easy chocolate cake recipe is ultra-moist, rich, and deeply chocolatey, topped with a smooth fudgy frosting. Perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or anytime chocolate cravings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 50

Course: cake, Dessert, Dessert Cake Chocolate Baking

Cuisine: Américaine

Calories: 450

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

1¾ cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cups granulated sugar
1½ tsp baking powder
1½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 large eggs
1 cup milk
½ cup vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup hot coffee or hot water
Frosting
1 cup unsalted butter softened
3½ cups powdered sugar
¾ cup cocoa powder
½ cup heavy cream or milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Equipment

2 × 9-inch round cake pans
Notes (optional): Greased and lined with parchment paper
Mixing bowls
Whisk or electric mixer
Measuring cups and spoons
Rubber spatula
Cooling rack
Offset spatula or knife
Notes (optional): For frosting the cake

Method

Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans.
In a large bowl, whisk flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.
Slowly pour in hot coffee and mix until combined (batter will be thin).
Divide batter evenly between prepared pans.
Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Let cakes cool completely before frosting.
Frosting
Beat butter until creamy.
Add cocoa powder and powdered sugar gradually.
Pour in cream, vanilla, and salt. Beat until fluffy.
Frost cake layers, stack, and decorate as desired.