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    Home » Chocolate

    The BEST Moist Chocolate Cake Recipe

    author bio
    Updated: May 9, 2026 by christina.marsigliese · 1,695 Comments
    Jump to 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

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    Looking for more decadent chocolate recipes? Try these:

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      Salted Pistachio Chocolate Chunk Cookies
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    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.
    4.96 from 436 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 35 minutes mins
    Servings 10

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ¾ cup (250g) all-purpose flour
    • ⅔ cup (56g) cocoa powder (I prefer this Dutch cocoa or this one)

    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

    1x Recipe for The BEST Chocolate Frosting

    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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    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Kathy Murray

      May 07, 2026 at 2:22 pm

      5 stars
      The recipe looked daunting, but came together easily. I baked in three 6 inch pans. Came out beautifully. My question now, can the layers be frozen for a few days? I would like to make this again but would need to freeze.

      Reply
      • christina.marsigliese

        May 09, 2026 at 3:49 am

        Thank you Kathy! Yes they can be frozen individually. Wrap each layer well and place in an airtight bag or container.

        Reply
    2. Rebecca Drake

      May 06, 2026 at 3:50 pm

      Hiya thanks for sharing your recipes! Can you taste the coffee in this cake please? I am making for my friends son and it wouldn’t go down well if it does but would prefer to use coffee for the richness! Thanks again, keep shining Christina!

      Reply
      • christina.marsigliese

        May 07, 2026 at 1:26 am

        Hi Rebecca! No you can't taste coffee, it is just enough to enhance the chocolate flavor. However feel free to sub the hot coffee for hot water.

        Reply
    3. Thao

      May 05, 2026 at 8:42 am

      5 stars
      My son made a request for a mint chocolate cake for his birthday. Made this, using dairy-free choc-mint icing. It was beautifully moist, and not overly sweet. It was devoured by him and his friends, asking for second servings. And one of the mums asked for the recipe. Thanks Christina for the delicious recipe!

      Reply
      • christina.marsigliese

        May 06, 2026 at 1:24 pm

        You are welcome Thao! Glad he enjoyed the cake 🙂

        Reply
    4. Georgina

      May 04, 2026 at 12:32 pm

      Hey there, would this be 160° c for a fan oven?
      Thank youuu

      Reply
      • christina.marsigliese

        May 04, 2026 at 1:20 pm

        Hi Georgina! Yes that is correct.

        Reply
    5. Tanna

      May 02, 2026 at 2:59 am

      5 stars
      Absolutely the best chocolate cake recipe I have ever made. It does not fall in the middle and it is incredibly moist. The directions were clear and concise. Thank you for making a Chocolate Birthday Cake fun, delicious and easy 🎂💝

      Reply
      • christina.marsigliese

        May 04, 2026 at 3:19 am

        You are welcome Tanna! Glad you enjoyed the recipe 🙂

        Reply
    6. Sharon Keutmann

      May 01, 2026 at 2:01 pm

      5 stars
      So incredibly moist 🤩. I made buttercream icing 👍

      Reply
      • christina.marsigliese

        May 02, 2026 at 1:18 am

        Thank you Sharon! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Evie K

      April 30, 2026 at 3:39 am

      5 stars
      This is my go to chocolate cake recipe, never has failed me and l use it all the time.

      Reply
      • christina.marsigliese

        April 30, 2026 at 5:34 pm

        Thanks for the feedback Evie! I'm so glad you enjoy this recipe 🙂

        Reply
    8. Bridget

      April 27, 2026 at 1:18 pm

      Do you have to use coffee? I can't stand coffee and would be incredibly disappointed if my chocolate cake tasted like coffee.

      Reply
      • christina.marsigliese

        April 27, 2026 at 3:08 pm

        Hi Bridget! You can substitute with hot water. Please see recipe FAQ.

        Reply
      • Jonathan Thomas

        April 28, 2026 at 12:34 am

        5 stars
        Can you tell me the difference between Dutch cocoa and regular cocoa powder? The Dutch is more expensive. Thank you

        Reply
        • Aditi

          April 28, 2026 at 2:12 pm

          I'm curious about why you use mL instead of grams for the liquids. Wouldn't it be more accurate to measure everything in grams versus trying to line up the top of a lumpy ingredient like sour cream? Also saves ingredients by being able to measure into one bowl, and saves a bunch of washing of measuring cups!

        • christina.marsigliese

          April 30, 2026 at 3:18 am

          Hi Aditi! Volumetric measurements are accurate for liquids, but I understand you point regarding thicker liquids. For measuring small amounts of liquids it can be faster than a scale. I always recommend using a scale for dry ingredients, but not everyone has one.

        • christina.marsigliese

          April 28, 2026 at 6:35 pm

          Hi Jonathan! This recipe works with both Dutch process and natural cocoa powder. Natural cocoa has a wonderful fruity flavor, but will not be as dark and a little more acidic.

    9. Kim

      April 27, 2026 at 9:55 am

      Hi, I’m planning to use this recipe for a birthday cake so is it ok to freeze after baking and cooling? This would make it easier for me to frost with pink frosting to avoid crumbs.

      Reply
      • christina.marsigliese

        April 27, 2026 at 2:43 pm

        Hi Kim! Yes you can. Make sure to wrap each layer well in plastic wrap and place in an airtight bag or container.

        Reply
    10. Sam Truscott

      April 27, 2026 at 8:59 am

      Hi, can I freeze these sponges once they're baked? I can only bake today and don't need them until Saturday to decorate for a party 🙂

      Thanks

      Reply
      • christina.marsigliese

        April 27, 2026 at 2:43 pm

        Hi Sam! Yes you can. Make sure to wrap each layer well in plastic wrap and place in an airtight bag or container.

        Reply
    11. Jos

      April 27, 2026 at 1:13 am

      5 stars
      Literally my go to chocolate cake recipe. Has been the best one I’ve tried so far. Made it so many times I can’t even count! Has my family begging for more! 10/10 recommend

      Reply
      • christina.marsigliese

        April 27, 2026 at 2:40 pm

        Thank you Jos! Glad your family enjoys the cake! 🙂

        Reply
    12. Trina

      April 24, 2026 at 10:06 pm

      Question, how could I make this a 3 layer 9" cake? Just double the recipe, and fill my pans, and use leftover for cupcakes? How much batter per pan usually?

      Reply
      • christina.marsigliese

        April 25, 2026 at 2:48 am

        Hi Trina! Double the recipe and divide the batter equally into three 9-inch round pans.

        Reply
    13. Claudita

      April 24, 2026 at 7:59 pm

      5 stars
      This cake was scrumptious, and fairly easy to make! Title doesn't lie if you follow the recipe carefully and use GOOD quality chocolate (a must!).
      This amazing cake was moist, decadent yet not overly sweet. We shared it with friends that are experienced cooks and bakers, and it was an absolute hit. The frosting was delicious, with a so very slight tanginess that was the perfect complement to the texture and flavor! The slices came out beautifully and easy. Thank you Christina, this recipe has replaced most of my other chocolate cakes recipes. 11/10!!

      Reply
      • christina.marsigliese

        April 25, 2026 at 2:45 am

        You are welcome Claudita! Thank you for the feedback. I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe 🙂

        Reply
        • Tess

          April 25, 2026 at 2:29 pm

          I only have 13 pans . Should I double the recipe to make a two layer?

        • christina.marsigliese

          April 25, 2026 at 3:50 pm

          Hi Tess! Do you mean a 13x9 pan? If so, you should double the recipe.

        • Jenn

          April 29, 2026 at 12:29 am

          Hi

          Looks yummy!
          Have you made the cake using a 9x13 pan? If so, how long do I bake it for?

          Thanks so much!

        • christina.marsigliese

          April 29, 2026 at 3:15 am

          Hi Jen! Yes you can. It will take about 25min to bake. Check with a skewer.

    14. Sandra

      April 24, 2026 at 5:17 am

      Hi Christina
      Just to clarify:
      If you are not in the UK the egg sizes are different.
      US/AU large eggs are the equivalent of Uk medium eggs.
      Could you advise please.
      Many thanks.
      Sandra

      Reply
      • christina.marsigliese

        April 25, 2026 at 2:22 am

        Hi Sandra! I am not in the UK, so for reference the egg size for the recipe is approx. 57g.

        Reply
    15. Megan

      April 24, 2026 at 3:59 am

      5 stars
      Delicious! I followed the recipe exactly, making no substitutions and it was perfection.

      Reply
      • christina.marsigliese

        April 25, 2026 at 2:19 am

        Thanks Megan! Glad you enjoyed the recipe 🙂

        Reply
    16. Max

      April 22, 2026 at 5:12 pm

      4 stars
      I made this gluten-free + vegan using rather conventional swaps and the cake turned out very nice:

      Losing structure from the egg, I chose coconut oil in place of an unsaturated fat, subbed it with aquafaba, and used coconut yogurt in place of sour cream. Making it gluten-free was simply a swap with a typical gluten-free flour blend and adding ½ tsp xanthan gum.

      Really my only complaint is that I found the cake too sweet. If I were to make it again, I would probably reduce the sugar by a third and compensate for the lost structure and moisture.

      Reply
      • christina.marsigliese

        April 23, 2026 at 1:13 am

        Hi Max, I'm glad it worked out at all with those significant changes you made. What you made is an entirely new recipe and you should definitely expect differences in flavor and texture. Coconut yogurt is sweeter than sour cream, and aquafaba lacks the body and mouthfeel of egg that would help temper the sweetness.

        Reply
        • Max

          April 23, 2026 at 1:12 pm

          Hi Christina, I understand your point about it effectively being a different recipe. I was just trying to share an option that might be helpful for people with dietary restrictions who are interested in trying your recipe, not to misrepresent the original. I was simply sharing my experience as someone who regularly has to adapt recipes due to dietary restrictions.

    17. Mai

      April 21, 2026 at 3:50 pm

      What would be the conversion for 2x 6 in pans? Should I add more sugar if I want it sweeter? Planning to bake this for my birthday. 🙂

      Reply
      • christina.marsigliese

        April 22, 2026 at 1:02 pm

        Hi Mai, you'll need about 2/3 of the recipe, but since there are 2 eggs, you'll have to beat them separately and weigh out 66 grams. Or, you can just use the remaining batter to make cupcakes. Or, you can just make two very tall cake layers with the full amount of batter and bake them longer.

        Reply
    18. Jan

      April 20, 2026 at 3:32 pm

      Would it be possible to swap the vegetable oil with browned butter? I rather use butter in my baking and I think it might add to the taste (although it's already yum).

      Reply
      • christina.marsigliese

        April 21, 2026 at 2:15 am

        Hi Jan! You could but the cake will not be nearly as soft and moist, since butter fat is saturated and solid at room temperature.

        Reply
      • Stephanie Delorme

        April 23, 2026 at 12:55 am

        5 stars
        Swap out the oil for Applesauce 1:1 ratio and the sour cream with Greek yogurt 1:1 ratio

        Reply
        • JJ

          April 24, 2026 at 4:06 pm

          who would ever do this... just follow the recipe

        • KD

          April 29, 2026 at 6:17 am

          Hi,
          I wanted to check if I beat sugar with pil instead of mix with dry Ingredientsas my past experience with the above e approach is cake is more dense.

          Please advise.

        • christina.marsigliese

          April 29, 2026 at 1:12 pm

          Hi KD! It is not necessary for this recipe.

    19. Logan

      April 19, 2026 at 9:14 pm

      5 stars
      Love this cake recipe! Not so sweet like most cakes, my family loves when I bake this recipe! Even the cupcakes were bomb 💣

      Reply
      • christina.marsigliese

        April 20, 2026 at 2:06 am

        Thank you Logan! Glad you loved the recipe 🙂

        Reply
        • Divs

          April 20, 2026 at 12:52 pm

          Hi how can i replace sour cream with pls

        • christina.marsigliese

          April 21, 2026 at 2:10 am

          Hi Divs! You can substitute with plain full fat Greek yogurt.

      • JJ

        April 24, 2026 at 4:06 pm

        Awesomeeeeee

        Reply
    20. Zilpha

      April 15, 2026 at 5:04 am

      Hi, is there an alternative to sour cream? Can I use yogurt instead?

      Reply
      • christina.marsigliese

        April 15, 2026 at 1:35 pm

        Hi Zilpha! The best substitute is plain full fat Greek yogurt.

        Reply
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