The BEST Moist Chocolate Cake Recipe

No word of a lie, this is THE BEST MOIST CHOCOLATE CAKE recipe on the internet with rich chocolate taste and ultra soft, moist crumb texture. If you've been looking for it, then look no further... THIS IS IT! It is the #1 recipe here on this website. It is so easy to make without a mixer and in one bowl, and it is incredibly chocolaty with the best chocolate frosting. This recipe is foolproof and has turned out perfectly by home bakers across the world in different kitchens in different countries. Bakery owners across the globe use this recipe and say it is their number one seller and the most requested cake by their clients. I also have milk chocolate version which is equally delicious.

Don't hesitate to make this whole cake even if you live in a small household because it keeps so well. In fact this BEST chocolate cake is so moist that it keeps for over a week without drying out and actually improves with age! It is even soft and moist straight from the fridge. If you prefer a smaller cake, try my single layer Ultimate Moist Chocolate Fudge Cake and you can also check out this One Bowl Chocolate Sheet Cake with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting.

slice of best moist chocolate cake on a plate with fork
best moist chocolate cake

WHAT MAKES THIS THE BEST MOIST CHOCOLATE CAKE RECIPE

  • SO EASY to make - this cake can be made in one bowl with a whisk! You don't need a stand mixer, although sometimes I use my electric hand mixer to make it. Either way it works just as well!
  • Moist chocolate cake - the cake is SO super moist! It has the softest texture and stays moist for days without drying out.
  • Perfect crumb texture - the crumb structure on this cake is so even that it looks like a store-bought cake that is full of emulsifiers, except this is homemade with real, simple ingredients!
  • Rich chocolate flavor - you will love the smooth and rich chocolate taste that shines through these cake layers. The flavor gets even better by the second and third day.
  • Fudgy chocolate frosting - I use a rich chocolate ganache made with sour cream for the frosting. It is so easy to make and you don't need softened butter nor icing sugar. It's simple and so decadent and fudgy! Many people have told me this is the best frosting they've ever made!
  • No buttermilk - buttermilk is a great ingredient, but it is also not a common ingredient and many people do not stock this in their refrigerator regularly. So, luckily you don't need buttermilk to make the best chocolate cake recipe ever.
slice of best moist chocolate cake on a plate with fork

INGREDIENTS FOR THE BEST CHOCOLATE CAKE

Here are some notes about the ingredients. For a full list of ingredients, check out the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

  • All purpose flour - you do not need specialty cake flour to make a wonderful chocolate cake. Just be sure to measure your flour correctly! Adding too much flour is the most common mistake and leads to tough and dry cake. The most accurate way to measure flour is using a scale. If you don't have one then fluff your flour with a spoon, spoon it into your measuring cup and use a knife to level it off. This batter is meant to be quite runny so refrain from adding more flour to make it thicker.
  • Granulated sugar - simple white sugar will keep this cake sweet and moist.
  • Brown sugar - a bit of brown sugar will add a hint of molasses flavor for extra richness to enhance the chocolate taste and adds extra moisture with its water-binding properties.
  • Pure vanilla extract - vanilla is essential to enhance the flavor of the cocoa to elevate the chocolate flavor. I love this Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla extract.
  • Cocoa powder - you can make do with basic quality flour, sour cream, milk and oil but you should get your hands on some good quality cocoa powder! It's the main flavor and you want it to shine so use the best you can find. I love to use this Dutch Process cocoa powder for this recipe. Make sure you use unsweetened cocoa powder and not cocoa mix.
  • Salt - this is one of the most important ingredients in chocolate cake. Without salt, cocoa-based desserts can just taste flat no matter how much cocoa you add. I always use fine table salt for baking as the finer crystals disperse and dissolve readily. If you use kosher salt, you will need to use twice as much since it is less dense, and it doesn't have the same impact on flavor enhancement compared to iodized salt for baking.
baked best moist chocolate cake on cooling rack
best moist chocolate cake ingredients
slice of chocolate cake on a plate
  • Eggs - two whole eggs will set the structure of this cake and help emulsify the batter.
  • Sour cream - one of the secrets to the best moist chocolate cake recipe is sour cream! And a lot of it. Sour cream contributes the dairy undertones, rich flavor and body (thanks to its high protein and fat content) that oil-based cakes lack. Full fat sour cream adds richness and dairy notes to this cake in the absence of butter.
  • Oil - this is an oil-based cake. Although I LOVE BUTTER, oil makes cakes ultra moist since it is an unsaturated fat that is liquid at room temperature. Plus, with this intense chocolate flavor and the sour cream, you won't miss the butter.
  • Hot coffee - this recipe is unique in that uses hot coffee in the batter. The hot liquid dissolves the sugar and activates the leavening agents so that the cake begins to rise and set instantly. It is also the reason why this cake is so moist.
  • Dark chocolate - you'll need pure dark chocolate to make the frosting. Anything between 50 and 70% cocoa solids will work, but I highly recommend dark chocolate with 60% cocoa solids. You can blend semisweet chocolate with my favorite bittersweet chocolate callets which are very convenient.
the best moist chocolate cake slice on a plate with bite
A crumb that is so soft and moist.
the best moist chocolate cake slice on a plate with bite
It stays fresh for days without drying out.
slice of best moist chocolate cake on a plate with fork and bite

HOW TO MAKE THE BEST MOIST CHOCOLATE CAKE

This recipe is SO EASY and you can make it all with a bowl and a whisk - no mixer required if you don't have one!

  • STEP 1). Combine dry ingredients. Sift flour, cocoa, baking powder and baking soda into a large bowl.
  • STEP 2). Blend in sugar. Add both sugars and salt and whisk to blend well, pressing out any lumps of brown sugar.
  • STEP 3). Combine wet ingredients. Combine eggs, oil, sour cream and vanilla in a medium bowl and whisk to blend well, then add to the dry ingredients. In a pinch you can also add these ingredients directly to the bowl with the dry ingredients.
  • STEP 4). Mix wet and dry ingredients. Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix with a whisk or an electric hand mixer on medium-low until blended. It will be thick and somewhat dry.
  • STEP 5). Mix in hot coffee. Add the hot coffee gradually in two stages to minimize clumps forming and beat until evenly combined and the batter smooth.
  • STEP 6). Bake. Divide batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 30-33 minutes until cakes spring back when pressed gently and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Transfer pans to a wire rack and let cool for 15 minutes before inverting onto the rack to cool completely.

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS (watch the recipe video at the bottom of the page for a full tutorial)

Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt.

Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Whisk to blend evenly.

combining dry ingredients

Add both types of sugar and blend well.

Add wet ingredients.

Add oil, eggs, sour cream and vanilla. Whisk until mostly combined.

Add hot coffee.

When the batter gets thick, begin to add hot coffee.

whisk batter until smooth

Whisk in the coffee until batter is completely smooth.

pour batter into pans

Divide batter evenly into prepared cake pans.

baked best moist chocolate cake
Baked chocolate cake
best moist chocolate cake layers cooling on wire rack
best moist chocolate cake layers after trimming domed top for layering
best moist chocolate cake layers showing height after baking

BAKING SCIENCE: WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS

This cake is almost like magic because the batter is so fluid that you will be nervous that it won't work, but trust the process! There's science behind the proportions.

  • Sugar:flour ratio - there is more sugar by weight compared to flour in this recipe and mixing the sugar into the flour breaks up the flour particles interferes with gluten development. That's because sugar competes for water and will pull moisture away from flour to prevent gluten network formation during the mixing stage.
  • Cocoa particles - cocoa powder has some starch and does contribute some function of flour to provide structure to the cake, however it does not contain gluten proteins. When the cocoa is dispersed into the flour, it helps to break up the flour particles and also interferes with gluten development.
  • Water:sugar ratio - there is a lot of moisture in this cake and that wouldn't work if there was less sugar. The sugar binds the water to prevent it from evaporating out, and during baking the starches in the flour and cocoa powder slowly hydrate and swell. They eventually set into a gel network to create the soft moist crumb structure.
best moist chocolate cake

WHAT CAUSES TUNNELING IN CAKES AND WHY ARE THERE HOLES IN MY CAKE?

Large holes through the baked cake crumb can form for several reasons. This is called "tunneling" and it is often caused by too much chemical leavening, uneven distribution of leavening agents and/or over-mixing which creates tunnels through cakes. In this recipe, it is important to mix the baking powder and baking soda into the dry ingredients very evenly so there are no lumps and the particles are uniformly incorporated into the flour to ensure the cake rises evenly. It is also important not to over-mix the batter after the hot coffee or water is added. You can read all about what causes tunneling and learn how to prevent tunneling in cake in this article.

tunneling in cake
baked best moist chocolate cakes on cooling rack

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DUTCH COCOA POWDER AND NATURAL COCOA POWDER?

Dutch cocoa powder is cocoa powder that has been treated with an alkalizing agent (a basic ingredient) such as potassium carbonate or sodium carbonate. This treatment, combined with certain parameters of pressure and temperature will increase the pH (decrease the acidity) of the cocoa powder to give it a less sour taste, darken the color and help it become more dispersible in water. My preferences for Dutch cocoa powder ones with a higher fat content and they are this Cacao Barry Extra Brute, Ghirardelli Majestic and Green & Blacks Organic.

Natural cocoa has not been alkalized and is 100% cocoa powder. It has a lighter color and has a very lovely fruity flavor with some pleasant acidity and slight bitterness that is inherent to the cocoa bean. My preferences for natural cocoa are Ghirardelli 100% Cocoa and Hershey's Unsweetened.

the best moist chocolate cake with slice cut out
best moist chocolate cake slice on serving knife

EXPERT BAKING TIPS

  • Sift the dry ingredients, especially the cocoa powder. I use a fine mesh sieve to sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and baking soda. This removes lumps since cocoa powder tends to be lumpy (due to its fat content). If your flour has been sitting in it's container for a while, it may also be lumpy. Sifting also helps to evenly distribute the leavening agents which prevents tunneling in cakes.
  • Whisk the dry ingredients thoroughly to distribute the baking powder and baking soda evenly. This will ensure the cake rises evenly with a uniform crumb.
  • Use a neutral tasting oil like vegetable, canola or pure sunflower oil for the cleanest flavor to let the chocolate taste stand out.
  • Do not reduce the sugar. The right amount of sugar will make cake moist because it binds water so that it stays tightly in the batter and doesn't evaporate excessively during baking.
  • Keep an eye on the baking time. Set a timer for the first time stated in the recipe and check with a skewer - it should come out clean.
  • Make cupcakes too! You can also use this recipe to make cupcakes. It makes about 18 cupcakes that will take 15-20 minutes to bake.
  • Use a kitchen scale. For best results, weigh your ingredients according to the measurements in the recipe card below using a kitchen scale.
slice of best moist chocolate cake on a plate with bite and fork

RECIPE FAQ

What type of oil is best for chocolate cake?

Firstly - use a fresh oil! Do not use anything that's been opened for a long time and when you store oil, it should be in a cool dark place. Light and heat accelerate oxidation reactions that can make the flavor turn rancid. My oil of choice for baking is sunflower oil for its clean and neutral taste, but any other oil such as canola or safflower will do. You can even use olive oil, but keep in mind that it will add the taste of olive oil to the cake.

Which cocoa powder is best for chocolate cake?

This recipe works with both Dutch process and natural cocoa powder. For a darker color like in this photo, I use high fat Dutch cocoa powder. My preference is this one and this one. Natural cocoa has a wonderful fruity flavor and I like to use it as well. You can use Hershey's natural cocoa or this one that I love.

What is a substitute for sour cream?

Sour cream really makes this cake delicious, but if sour cream is not available to you where you live, you can also make this recipe using an equal amount of full fat Greek yogurt. I have tested this and it worked well! Another suitable substitution is crème fraîche which is a type of fermented dairy product somewhere between yogurt and sour cream.

How hot does the water/coffee need to be for moist chocolate cake?

The coffee or hot water should be very hot. If you brew fresh coffee, then use it immediately when you make the batter sot it is hot and if you use hot water, then bring a kettle to the boil, measure it out and then start making the batter. It's fine if it cools for 2-3 minutes. If you're making instant coffee, do the same as just mentioned and prepare the coffee fresh off the boil and then start preparing the batter.

Can I make this recipe without coffee?

Yes! You can use hot water if you cannot drink caffeine. Or, you can use decaf coffee. You can also make instant coffee instead of brewing a fresh pot, and for this I suggest using 1-2 teaspoons of instant coffee for 1 cup of hot water.

Why is my chocolate cake batter so thin?

This batter is supposed to be quite fluid from the hot coffee or hot water that is added in. It will bake up to create a wonderfully moist crumb.

What is the secret to super moist cake and how do I make my cake more moist?

It's not more fat! Moisture comes from liquid, not fat. So you can add more butter and more oil, but it will really just make the cake more dense and more tender by shortening the texture. Fat will not make a cake moist as only liquids can add moisture. This cake is moist because of the amount of liquid.

How do you add moisture to a chocolate cake?

This cake is moist because of the hot coffee or water added to the batter. It accelerates the gelatinization of the starch to trap in moisture. I normally scoff at a cake recipe that uses only oil and no butter since butter is superior for its flavor. However, oil makes the texture very soft and in turn gives the perception of "moistness". That's because oil is made up of mostly unsaturated fats that are liquid at room temperature. Butter contains more saturated fats that are solid at room temperature, therefore the texture of a butter cake will be more crumbly and firm. 

Why are my cakes flat?

If your cakes baked up flat, it may be that your raising agents are no longer active, so be sure to use fresh baking soda and fresh baking powder. It may also happen if you let the batter sit out for too long before baking. In this case the leavening agents will react in the batter and release gases before the batter sets and the gas will escape through the surface of the batter instead of being trapped as air bubbles in the cake crumb structure.

Why are there holes in my cake?

If you see large holes through the cake crumb, this is called tunneling. It is a common phenomenon that happens for various reasons including uneven distribution of leavening agents or over-mixing the batter. You can read all about the science of tunneling in cakes in this article.

best moist chocolate cake on a board with one third sliced and showing interior
What is the most famous chocolate cake in the world?

I'd say it's Hershey's Perfect Chocolate Cake recipe from an old cookbook I have. Ina Garten's Beatty's Chocolate Cake is also quite popular, however this recipe is not to my taste due to the imbalance of chemical leavening (far too much baking soda) and high amount of sugar. My recipe has the right amount of baking soda that won't leave you with a soapy taste and creates nice lightly domed even layers. It's also just the right amount of sugar to make this cake moist without being too sweet or gummy.

What causes a cake to be moist?

Sugar and liquid will create a moist cake among several other things. Having the right proportions of wet and dry ingredients is important when creating a moist cake recipe. Sugar is hygroscopic which means that it strongly binds water and will hold moisture in. Being cautious to not over-mix will also ensure that the cake is soft.

Can I double the chocolate frosting?

This recipe for chocolate frosting makes just enough to fill the cake and lightly coat the sides. I don't prefer a heavy coat of frosting, however if you prefer more you can easily double it or make 1.5x the recipe. The main change will be that it will take longer for it to thicken to a spreading consistency.

Can I use this recipe to make cupcakes?

Yes you can! It works great. In this case, bake them for 18-20 minutes.

Can I make this chocolate cake recipe with a 9x13-inch pan?

If you prefer to use a 9x13-inch pan, then try my One Bowl Chocolate Sheet Cake recipe! It is so fluffy, moist and fudgy with a dark chocolate cream cheese frosting.

STORAGE AND FREEZING

How to store moist chocolate cake?

Store this cake at room temperature, covered or in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can also store it in the fridge for up to 1 week and bring it to room temperature before serving.

Can I freeze chocolate cake?

Yes! I often make the cake layers in advance and freeze them for when I need them. To do this, let the cake layers cool completely on a wire rack. Once cool, wrap them individually in plastic wrap, and then wrap them in aluminum foil. Place them in a resealable plastic bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

best moist chocolate cake on a plate before slicing
top view of best moist chocolate cake covered in fudgy chocolate frosting

HOW TO MAKE THE BEST CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Ohhhhh... this frosting. It, too, is made with sour cream and holy heaven! It is smooth, dense, fudgy and not too sweet. You can make it with just a bowl and a whisk - no mixer required. I highly recommend you top this cake off with this recipe for the BEST Chocolate Frosting. 

If you love cake, check out these recipes!

Ultimate Moist Chocolate Fudge Cake Lemon Pistachio Cake Sticky Toffee Date Cake Chocolate Mousse Cake One Bowl Vanilla Cake with Chocolate Frosting Best Vanilla Cupcake Recipe with Chocolate Fudge Frosting Chocolate Truffle Cake White Chocolate Raspberry Cake Dark Chocolate Raspberry Cake

Looking for more decadent chocolate recipes? Try these:

Chocolate cake love

Here are more delicious chocolate cake recipes:

Video

The BEST Moist Chocolate Cake recipe

Christina Marsigliese, Food Scientist MSc.
best moist chocolate cake
This is the ONLY chocolate cake recipe you'll ever need! It's SO moist and rich, not too sweet and just keeps getting better with age. It never dries out. Pair it with my Best Chocolate Frosting and it's a chocoholics dream! Bakeries all over the world use my recipe and have built successful businesses from it. Try it and you'll see.
4.95 from 454 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Servings 10

Ingredients
  

NOTE: if you prefer natural cocoa, my preferences are Ghirardelli 100% Cocoa and Hershey's Unsweetened

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (110g) packed light brown sugar
  • ¾ teaspoon (4.5g) fine table salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil (I prefer sunflower oil)
  • ¾ cup (180ml) full fat sour cream
  • 1 teaspoon (5ml) pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240ml) hot coffee

To make a single layer chocolate cake, try my ULTIMATE Moist Chocolate Fudge Cake.

If fudgy chocolate brownies are your thing, try my BEST Thick Homemade Brownies.

NOTE: for best results, use a kitchen scale to weigh the ingredients.

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease two 8-inch round cake pans, dust lightly with flour or cocoa powder. The cocoa powder helps the batter cling to the sides of the pan to help it climb up and rise higher. Line the base with rounds of parchment paper. Do not use springform pans since this batter is very fluid and it can leak out.
  • First prepare the coffee and keep it hot. If you are using instant coffee, add 1 tablespoon of instant coffee granules or 2 teaspoons of espresso powder to 1 cup of just boiled water and set it aside while you prepare the batter.
  • Combine dry ingredients. Use a fine mesh sieve to sift flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and baking soda into a large bowl. Add both sugars and salt and whisk to blend very well so the ingredients are evenly combined, pressing out any lumps of brown sugar.
  • Combine wet ingredients. Add eggs, oil, sour cream and vanilla to a medium bowl and whisk to blend well. Use a spatula to make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, then pour in the wet ingredients. Mix with an electric handheld mixer on medium-low speed until blended. You can also mix it in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment on medium speed or mix by hand using a wire whisk starting in the center and slowly dragging the dry ingredients in from the sides to combine evenly with the wet ingredients. It will be thick and somewhat dry. Add the hot coffee gradually in two stages to minimize clumps forming and mix until evenly combined and the batter is smooth. The batter will be quite thin.
  • Bake. Divide batter evenly between the prepared pans and tap the pans on the countertop to allow any large air bubbles to surface and pop. Bake for 30-33 minutes until cakes spring back when pressed gently and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Transfer pans to a wire rack and let cool for 15 minutes before running a knife or offset spatula around the sides and inverting the cakes onto the rack to cool completely.
  • While the cakes are cooling, prepare my BEST Chocolate Fudge Frosting.
  • Assemble the cake. Once cakes are cooled, place one cake layer on a serving plate. Use a large offset spatula to spread about ¾ cup of frosting over the top, spreading it out to the edges. Place the other cake layer on top so it aligns with the sides of the bottom layer. Cover the entire cake with frosting and use the offset spatula to even out the sides and make swooshes and swirls on the top layer. Enjoy!

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1,795 Comments

  1. Looking forward to trying your best ever collate cake, looks so moist and delicious. I have fresh laid eggs from our own hens. Do I weigh my eggs if so to what weight, in shells or not. This always confuses me🤔. Also when cooking do you use a fan oven and what shelf position. Thanks for the time in shearing your recipe♥️

    1. Hi Sharon! There will be some variability, but typically store bought large eggs with the shell is around 57g or 2oz. So as long as your fresh eggs are around that weight you should not have any issues with the recipe. Baking directions are for without fan. Shelf position really depends on your oven, but usually it should be somewhere around the middle, or where the heat distribution is most even in your oven.

  2. Okay, since you're the scientist here, not me 🤭 can you please help me regarding Dutch processed cocoa and regular cocoa? The Dutch processed cocoa I normally buy at Costco or Sam's, (Rodelle) we haven't seen in a good while. The other one is the Hershey's special dark but I went to Walmart because they've always had it and when I got there there was absolutely none and one of the gentleman that helped me, we looked at his apparatus, and not a single Walmart in my area had it. It all said "out of stock". And I searched why it was so hard to find and the article said it was not discontinued but that there was a shortage of cocoa because of poor harvest and I believe disease in Africa...🤔 That said, my husband bought me two huge bags of the Hershey's cocoa at either Sam's or Costco because I felt panicked about Coco in general not being available. So my question is: many recipes call for Dutch process, something to do with the alkaline but if I can't get it anymore, is it okay to just use the regular cocoa?

  3. 5 stars
    This is the only chocolate cake recipe I will now follow. We’ve used it for my daughter’s birthday for 3 years and it never fails. Don’t be afraid by how liquid the mixture is! Everyone always comments on how good it is and wants the recipe. I’ve tried may chocolate cake recipes which are dry and disappointing but this is perfection!

  4. 5 stars
    This will be the second time I make this cake. The first time was a bit of a disaster! I used silicone tins and one sagged and spilt as I was putting it into the over. I got mix all over the oven door, kitchen cupboards and floor. We were finding it for days after. It was worth it though, the cake was gorgeous!
    I have a couple of questions before I make it again this week for a kids birthday.
    • The full tin really rose in the middle. It looked like a mountain. What did I do wrong?

    • I don't like coffee cake, so I make the coffee really weak, if I made it full strength will I be able to taste it in the cake?

    • Can I use 3, 7 inch tins instead of 2, 8 inch? How would this effect the cooking time.

    Please, pease, please reply asap so I can get baking.

    Janie, from Yorkshire, GB 😊

    1. Hi Janie! Glad the cake still turned out! Uneven rising could be due to a few factors, such as the oven running a bit too hot, overmixing the batter or if there is too much flour in batter (I recommend using a scale). If you don't like coffee you can omit and just use hot water (see my FAQ). You can't really taste the coffee. It enhances the chocolate flavor. You will need to increase the recipe by 1.25x to have enough batter for 3 7 inch pans.

      1. Thank you so much for such a quick response, I have now found the chocolate cake recipe I will ever need 😊
        I love your scientific approach, I use scales, so I will careful not to over mix. I will stick with the coffee, but I think I need a new oven 😂
        Thanks for the conversion to 3 7inch pans that is really useful.
        Janie xxx

    1. Hi Shane! It is a very soft cake so it might be difficult. Might have luck by chilling the cake before slicing.

  5. Hi there, so sorry I can't seem to see what size of tins to use for this cake? I plan to make in the next could of days and i have 7 inch and 9 inch tins - not sure which is better? thankyou 🙂

    1. Hi Emma! The recipe call for two 8 inch pans. You can bake in 9 inch pans, but I would recommend to increase the recipe of 1/4 or the layers will be thin. If using 7 inch pans they layers will be thicker and you will need to increase baking time.

  6. 5 stars
    Absolutely delicious! I get great reviews on your Best Moist Chocolate Cake. (I do give you the credit!) The name says it all. I've been eating mine frosting free because they are so tasty that they don't need anything else. Thank you for sharing!

    1. Hi Gail! Yes it should work. If baking in a single pan you will need to increase the baking time by 10-15min longer or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

  7. 5 stars
    My first chocolate cake attempt resulted in a HUGE success that I fell in love with and devoured more than half... Dangerously moist and delicious, perfect treat for recovering breastfeeding fatigue!! Love your recipe, now I move on to trying your other posts!!!

  8. My cake cracked 🙁 but tried assembling it.

    What could be the reason and the centre of the cake a little mushy too like uncooked. I baked it at 177 Celsius.

    1. Hi Shalini! Are you using the fan setting in your oven and did you use a scale to measure the ingredients? It could be overmixing or the uneven oven or both. Also try tapping the pan once the batter is added to release any large air bubble for more even baking. Check doneness with skewer - it should come out clean.

    2. 4 stars
      Hi I made the cake for my son's birthday. When I baked the cakes, they cracked on top like a volcano haha. The frosting covered up my mistakes. Later when we cut the cake I had lots of tunneling. Overall it tastes good, not sweet and great with a cup of coffee. It's definitely moist as the name says. Thank you for the recipe.

      1. Thanks IMM! Tunneling is usually caused by overmixing or could be related to how hot your oven runs. If you search for "Tunneling" on my website you can find a whole article I wrote on what causes tunneling in cakes.

  9. 5 stars
    I entered this delicious chocolate layer cake in my local county fair and won Best Chocolate Cake and Division Winner for the Best Cake at the fair! SO, so delicious!
    Thank you!

  10. 5 stars
    The cake turned out incredible!! I didn’t even use an electric mixer and was surprised of how great it turned out!🤎 I didn’t have any sour cream for the frosting so I just made a ganache and added cocoa powder. The texture was incredible. Just like frosting but so rich without all the butter

      1. 5 stars
        I'm so pleased that this turned out moist and delicious! It was my first time making any cake from scratch too. I topped it with whipped cream frosting, but want to make this again with the chocolate frosting.

    1. 5 stars
      I made this cake for my son's birthday and it was the single greatest cake I have ever made. I love to bake, but chocolate cakes are usually something I don't get excited by. This recipe was simple and the outcome was incredible. The entire cake had disappeared within minutes of slicing, with people asking for seconds and thirds. No doubt I will be making this again.

  11. Hi! I'm really excited to try this recipe – it looks delicious. I'm planning to use it for a wedding cake, and I was wondering if the texture is firm enough to crumb coat and cover with white chocolate ganache? Or is it on the softer side and maybe not ideal for that kind of decorating?

    1. Hi Zebrina! Yes you can! It is mentioned above in the recipe. It makes about 18 cupcakes that will take 15-20 minutes to bake at the same temperature as the cake.

  12. 5 stars
    So easy .substituted Greek natural yoghurt and full fat milk for the sour cream. Worked perfectly.
    The icing is the easiest and works as well.

  13. 5 stars
    I made this today and it came out deliciously beautiful. I used the suggested frosting recipe, which is also excellent. My only change was to use three 8” round layer pans instead of two because mine are not very deep. There was still enough frosting and filling and the layers had a great taste and texture. Moist indeed. Unlike most people, I’m not a huge fan of chocolate cake but I would make this one again.

    1. Hi Irma! Yes, it is covered the FAQ section. The best substitute is full fat Greek yogurt or crème fraîche.