Print

The BEST Moist Chocolate Cake Recipe

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4 from 14 reviews

This Moist Chocolate Cake recipe delivers a rich, tender, and deeply chocolatey experience perfect for any occasion. Made with a blend of cocoa powder, hot coffee, and a luscious chocolate fudge frosting, this cake is guaranteed to be the best chocolate cake you’ll ever bake at home. The recipe is simple yet yields incredibly moist cake layers that pair beautifully with the decadent frosting.

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 ¾ cup (250g) all-purpose flour
  • ⅔ cup (56g) cocoa powder (Dutch cocoa preferred)
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (110g) packed light brown sugar
  • ¾ tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil (sunflower oil preferred)
  • ¾ cup (180ml) full fat sour cream
  • 1 tsp (5ml) pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240ml) hot coffee (prepared with 1 tbsp instant coffee granules or 2 tsp espresso powder dissolved in boiling water)

Frosting

  • Prepare Best Chocolate Fudge Frosting as per recipe instructions

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease two 8-inch round cake pans, dust them lightly with flour, and line the bases with parchment paper rounds to prevent sticking.
  2. Prepare Coffee: Brew 1 cup of hot coffee by dissolving 1 tablespoon of instant coffee granules or 2 teaspoons of espresso powder in freshly boiled water. Keep this coffee hot while you prepare the batter.
  3. Sift Dry Ingredients: Using a fine mesh sieve, sift together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and baking soda into a large mixing bowl. Add the granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and salt, then whisk thoroughly to combine and break up any lumps, especially of brown sugar.
  4. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, vegetable oil, full fat sour cream, and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended.
  5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet mixture. Using an electric handheld mixer on medium-low speed (or a whisk if mixing by hand), blend until just combined. The mixture will appear thick and dry at this stage.
  6. Add Hot Coffee: Gradually add the hot coffee in two stages to the batter, mixing well after each addition. This thins the batter considerably and creates a smooth, pourable consistency without lumps.
  7. Fill Pans and Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Tap the pans gently on your countertop to release any trapped air bubbles. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 30-33 minutes, or until the cakes spring back when lightly pressed and a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
  8. Cool Cakes: Remove the pans from the oven and let cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Then, run a knife or offset spatula around the edges and invert the cakes onto the rack to cool completely.
  9. Prepare Frosting: While the cakes cool, prepare your best Chocolate Fudge Frosting according to your preferred recipe.
  10. Assemble the Cake: Place one cooled cake layer on a serving plate. Spread approximately ¾ cup of frosting evenly over the top, extending to the edges. Place the second cake layer on top, aligning edges. Cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting, smoothing the sides and creating swirls or swooshes on the top with an offset spatula. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

  • Using hot coffee intensifies the chocolate flavor and ensures a moist crumb.
  • Ensure coffee is hot but not boiling when adding to the batter to avoid cooking the eggs.
  • The batter will be thin after adding coffee—this is expected and results in moist cake layers.
  • For best results, use quality Dutch-processed cocoa powder for richer flavor.
  • This recipe can be doubled for a larger cake or layered cupcakes.
  • Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting or sliding of frosting.
  • Line pans with parchment paper for easy cake removal and clean edges.

Find it online: https://bitezly.com/the-best-moist-chocolate-cake-recipe/