Never-Fail Chocolate Cake Recipe (One-Bowl)

Name: My One-Bowl Chocolate Cake Never Fails
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 100 min
Ingredients: Nonstick cooking spray; 1 1/2 cups (180g) all-purpose flour; 1 1/4 cups (105g) unsweetened cocoa powder; 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar; 3/4 cup (160g) brown sugar; 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 cup whole or 2% milk; 3/4 cup canola or vegetable oil; 2 large eggs, at room temperature; 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1/4 cup hot water or brewed coffee; 2 cups frosting of your choice

This recipe delivers a fluffy, moist chocolate cake with deep chocolate flavor every time.
You only need one bowl and no stand mixer to make this recipe, so cleanup is fast and simple.
You can easily adapt this recipe to make a sheet cake, layer cake, or cupcakes.

When I have the choice, I’ll always turn to chocolate cake. I love a fluffy, tender cake crumb with notes of chocolate in every bite. Plus, chocolate cake pairs so well with a variety of frostings, whether you want double-chocolate, some contrasting vanilla, or a rich treat slathered with peanut butter frosting.

Some chocolate cake recipes start with creaming butter and sugar, while others include melted chocolate. But the option I turn to the most utilizes one big mixing bowl and very few steps. Even better? There’s no stand mixer required for this easy, never-fail recipe.

This chocolate cake is the same recipe I used on a daily basis when I opened a bakery at age 22. I used it as the base for every chocolate cake dessert I made, from prepping cupcakes for my display to filling custom cake orders. I still turn to it as my favorite go-to today when I need a cake fix at home or am baking a cake to celebrate a friend or family member.

Tray of chocolate cake with frosting and sprinkles — Simply Recipes / Molly Allen

Why Add Hot Water to Chocolate Cake?

One of the secret ingredients for never-fail chocolate cake is hot water. It may seem simple, but it’s key for adding moisture and thinning out the batter just the right amount. You can choose to use hot water or swap it out for hot brewed coffee. Brewed coffee will provide the additional moisture, while also enhancing the chocolate flavor in the cake.

The Best Frostings for Never-Fail Chocolate Cake

While this chocolate cake can be eaten frosting-free, it’s that much better with a topping. You’ll need about 2 cups of frosting to cover just the top of the cake. However, you can certainly lift it out of the pan and frost the sides as well, with a total of three cups of frosting.

I love the classic pairing of chocolate cake with creamy chocolate frosting, but I have plenty of other favorite combinations, too. Try this cake topped with cream cheese frosting, coconut frosting, or lighten things up with homemade whipped cream frosting. Or, top it with vanilla frosting and drizzle the top with salted caramel sauce.

Make a Round Cake or Cupcakes

While I love a simple 9x13 sheet cake, this recipe can be used for any cake shape. Divide the batter into two 8-inch round cake pans and bake for about 30 minutes, or split the batter up to make 24 cupcakes, baking them for about 20 minutes.

Slice of chocolate cake with frosting and sprinkles on a striped plate fork with a bitesized piece — Simply Recipes / Molly Allen

Never-Fail Chocolate Cake

Prep Time 10 mins

Cook Time 30 mins

Cooling time 60 mins

Total Time 100 mins

Servings 12 to 16 servings

Yield 1 (9x13-inch) cake

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Nonstick cooking spray
1 1/2 cups (180g) all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups (105g) unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
3/4 cup (160g) brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup whole or 2% milk
3/4 cup canola or vegetable oil
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup hot water or brewed coffee
2 cups frosting of your choice

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Spray a 9x13-inch metal baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Line the pan with a parchment paper sling with extra hanging over the sides and lightly spray the parchment.
Make the batter:

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until the mixture is free of clumps.

Beat or stir in the milk, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until incorporated. Stir in the hot water or coffee until just combined.

Simply Recipes / Molly Allen

Simply Recipes / Molly Allen
Bake:

Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake the cake until the center is set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 28 to 32 minutes. Transfer the baking pan to a wire rack and let the cake cool completely, about 1 hour.

Simply Recipes / Molly Allen
Frost and serve:

Leave the cake in the pan or use the parchment to lift it out onto a serving board. Top the cooled cake with your choice of frosting and decorate as desired. Slice the cake into 12 or 16 pieces and serve.

Store the cake covered in the pan or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To freeze, wrap leftover cake in plastic wrap, place in a freezer bag, and store for up to 2 months in the freezer. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

Love the recipe? Leave us stars and a comment below!

Simply Recipes / Molly Allen

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
250	Calories
12g	Fat
33g	Carbs
4g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12 to 16
Amount per serving
Calories	250
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 12g	15%
Saturated Fat 2g	10%
Cholesterol 24mg	8%
Sodium 276mg	12%
Total Carbohydrate 33g	12%
Dietary Fiber 2g	6%
Total Sugars 20g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 0mg	0%
Calcium 57mg	4%
Iron 3mg	17%
Potassium 58mg	1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.