The secret to a moist chocolate cake lies in replacing butter with oil, and this easy recipe does just that. This is a straightforward, one-bowl batter that’s sure to become part of your recipe book forever. It’s the best chocolate cake for any of life’s sweet celebrations.
For icing recipes – go here. I recommend a chocolate buttercream icing or ganache.

Chocolate Cake
Prep Time: 25
Cook Time: 30
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 1 double layer cake 1x
Description
A classic chocolate cake with fool-proof secrets to perfect cake moistness!
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- ¾ cups cocoa powder
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp baking soda
- pinch of salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tsp vanilla essence
- 2 cups sugar
- ½ cup oil
- 1 cup boiling water or hot coffee
- 2 eggs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C. Line two 23cm round cake pans, or one 23x33cm rectangular baking pan, with wax paper. Grease the paper and the sides of the pan well.
- In a large bowl, sift the dry ingredients together.
- Add the eggs, milk, oil and vanilla essence and beat with an electric mixer for about two minutes. Add the boiling water or coffee and mix until combined.
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans and bake for 30-40 minutes.
- To test if the cake is ready, insert a toothpick into the middle of the pan. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready. A single rectangular cake will take slightly longer to bake than two round layers.
- Slide a knife around the edge of each cake to loosen it from the pan, turn the pan over onto a metal rack and peel off the paper.
- Let the cake cool completely before covering with icing.
Thanks for this absolutely beautiful cake recipe.
I couldn’t believe that something looks so simple will turn out so delicious.
After reading the reviews I told myself I must try it out.
And true to it… It is wonderfully easy to make yet amazingly professional result!
You are right to say that it will be a recipe one will treasure.
Thank you again, and really enjoy your website too!
How long did I tried to get a chocolate cake recipe? Finaly i foud a simple yummy cake. U a the best & many thanks.
How long can I keep the cake after baking it. Was thinking of baking it on Thursday, dirty icing it Friday and decorating on Saturday for the party. Will it still be fine then?
Easy and so delicious. I would like to know …. can I make chocolate cupcakes from this delicious batter? Thanks for all your lovely recipes.
Yes ofcoz
Hi there, constantly i used to check webpage posts here early in the daylight, since i enjoy to find out more and more.
this looks great, cant wait to make it but i wonder what would be a good egg substitute for this cake? without changing the color and all…
Your cake is currently in our oven! Can’t wait!!!
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Hi what type of oil can I use, can I use gingelly oil
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Best chocolate cake recipe, so moist, used it to bake my sons birthday cake. So delicios everyone loved it.
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Very easy and nice recipe indeed,would really like to try it one day. Thanks
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I really love ur recipes. This cake is so moist and yummy. I love ur milk tart recipe too. Thanks so much
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What flour did you use?
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nobody else understand such detailed approximately my trouble.
You’re incredible! Thank you!
I’ll be baking this chocolate cake for the first time and it’s fir the customer, by reading the comments I trust it’s delicious.
It turned out to be the best choco cupcakes recipe ever!! Just a yummmmm…. thanks
This cake came out fantastically, it has taken me a long time to replace my UK baking recipes with South African ones and this one is definitely being added to my favourites
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Lovely recipe. It turned out so well. Minimum effort and a great recipe if you need to bake a cake in short notice.