The Best Chocolate Cake Recipe - A one bowl chocolate cake recipe that is quick, easy, and delicious! Updated with gluten-free, dairy-free, and egg-free options!
The cake batter will be very thin after adding the boiling water. This is correct and results in the most delicious and moist chocolate cake I've ever tasted! xo
Freezer Friendly: Let the baked cake layers cool completely. Wrap them well with plastic wrap and then with foil. Put each layer into a freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months. To serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight with wrapping intact. The next day, the layers are ready to fill and frost.
Ingredient Notes: 1. Kosher salt - I use Diamond Crystal
Kosher Salt. If you substitute with Morton's
Kosher salt, fine sea salt, or table salt, you will only need half the amount of the salt called for in the recipe.
2. Milk - The grams in the recipe are for whole milk and buttermilk.
- 1½ cups (339 g) butter softened
- 1 cup (84 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 5 cups (567.5 g) confectioner’s sugar
- ½ cup (113.5 g) milk whole
- 2 teaspoons (9 g) vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon (1 g) espresso powder
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Add cocoa powder to a large bowl or bowl of stand mixer. Whisk through to remove any lumps.
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Cream together butter and cocoa powder until well-combined.
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Add confectioner's sugar to a large bowl. Whisk through to remove any lumps. Alternatively, you may sift the confectioner's sugar into the large bowl. Add the confectioner's sugar and milk to the cocoa mixture by adding 1 cup of confectioner's sugar followed by about a tablespoon of milk. After each addition has been combined, turn the mixer onto a high speed for about a minute. Repeat until all sugar and milk have been added.
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Add vanilla extract and espresso powder and combine well.
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If frosting appears too dry, add more milk, a tablespoon at a time until it reaches the right consistency. If it appears to wet and does not hold its form, add more confectioner’s sugar, a tablespoon at a time until it reaches the right consistency.