The Best Chocolate Cake
User Reviews
5.0
309 reviews
Excellent
The Best Chocolate Cake
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Balanced, flavorful, and enjoyable—this recipe has it all.
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Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup natural, unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup vegetable or canola oil (see note)
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Center an oven rack in the middle position.
- Line the bottom of two 9-inch round cake pans or one 9X13-inch pan (preferably aluminum, not glass) with parchment paper. Lightly grease the bottom and sides with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl.
- Add the water, buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla.
- Using a handheld electric mixer or whisk, mix the ingredients until well-combined.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
- Bake the cakes for 28-35 minutes until the top springs back lightly to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean or with moist crumbs.
- Let the cakes cool for 2-3 minutes in the pan(s). Run a thin knife around the edge and turn onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Oil: use a neutral flavored oil for the cake (not an oil with a strong flavor like olive oil)
- Cocoa Powder: I always use natural, unsweetened cocoa powder (like Hershey's brand) in this cake, but you can sub in Dutch-process cocoa if you like (the cake may not rise quite as high and the texture of the crumb may change a bit).
- Glass Pan: if baking the cake in a 9X13-inch glass pan, reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F and keep an eye on the baking time.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Serving
1 piece (1/12th of the cake)
Calories
330kcal
(17%)
Carbohydrates
55g
(18%)
Protein
5g
(10%)
Fat
12g
(18%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Cholesterol
33mg
(11%)
Sodium
254mg
(11%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
35g
(70%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 piece (1/12th of the cake) | |
| Calories | 330kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 55g | 18% |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 33mg | 11% |
| Sodium | 254mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 35g | 70% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
309 reviews
Excellent
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