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Super Moist Chocolate Cake Recipe

4.7 from 146 reviews

This Super Moist Chocolate Cake recipe delivers a rich, tender, and deeply chocolate-flavored cake that’s perfect for any occasion. Featuring a blend of cocoa powder, boiling water, and a luscious homemade chocolate frosting, this easy-to-follow recipe results in a perfectly moist and fluffy cake that melts in your mouth.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cake

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup cocoa powder
  • ¾ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • ½ cup whole milk, room temperature
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • ½ cup boiling water

For the Frosting

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
  • 3 tbsp whole milk, room temperature
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper or grease it with non-stick cooking spray to prevent the cake from sticking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
  3. Add Wet Ingredients: Add the egg, whole milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Using an electric mixer, beat at medium speed for 1 to 2 minutes until the mixture is smooth and homogenous, making sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl periodically.
  4. Incorporate Boiling Water: Carefully pour the boiling water into the batter. Beat on low speed just until combined; the batter will be thin. This step helps create the moist texture and intensifies the chocolate flavor.
  5. Bake the Cake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Place it in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  6. Cool the Cake: Remove the cake from the oven and place the pan on a cooling rack. Let it cool for 10 to 15 minutes, then carefully lift the cake out of the pan and allow it to cool completely to room temperature before frosting.
  7. Prepare the Frosting: In a saucepan over low heat, melt the unsalted butter. Whisk in the cocoa powder and continue whisking for 1 to 2 minutes until fully incorporated. Remove the pan from heat and stir in the powdered sugar, whole milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Using an electric mixer, beat the frosting until smooth and slightly thickened.
  8. Frost the Cake: Spread the prepared chocolate frosting evenly over the cooled cake. Slice into 9 or 16 squares as desired and serve.

Notes

  • The batter will be quite thin after adding boiling water, which is normal and essential for a moist cake.
  • Ensure all refrigerated ingredients like eggs and milk are at room temperature for better mixing and texture.
  • You can substitute vegetable oil with melted coconut oil or light olive oil for a different flavor profile.
  • For a richer frosting, add a tablespoon of heavy cream or cream cheese.
  • Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
  • To enhance the chocolate flavor, use high-quality cocoa powder.

Keywords: chocolate cake, moist chocolate cake, chocolate frosting, easy chocolate cake, homemade cake