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    Home » Desserts

    Easy Chocolate Cake

    Published: Nov 15, 2022 · by Nico

    Jump to Recipe

    This easy chocolate cake is a quick and tasty recipe that melts in your mouth. It's not your traditional layer cake but a lighter, easier-to-make version.

    It has a full chocolate flavor and a light orange aroma. Eat it as is, or top it with our easy chocolate ganache for a family-friendly sweet treat.

    chocolate cake sliced
    On this page:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Variations
    • More easy cakes
    • Tips
    • Questions
    • Storage
    • Similar Recipes
    • Recipe

    Check out our Best Easy Desserts

    There are many versions of a chocolate cake, from tall cakes with layers covered with frosting to flatter chocolate sheet cakes.

    Our chocolate cake recipe makes a simple, round, soft, and moist cake perfect for when you feel like chocolate or cake but don't want to spend the whole day in the kitchen.

    You can make this soft chocolate cake with simple ingredients, with little effort, and in less than one hour, including baking and topping.

    Eat it as is, or top it with our easy, glossy chocolate ganache.

    Alternatively, you can cut the cake in half and stuff it with jam or with one of our easy custards, such as classic egg-free vanilla custard, chocolate custard, coffee custard, and pistachio custard.

    Chocolate cake on a plate

    Ingredients

    chocolate orange and flour ingredients

    Flour

    Use all-purpose flour or a mix of 50% all-purpose and 50% whole-wheat flour. For a gluten-free option, use a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour mix for cakes.

    Milk

    Any milk works, including soy milk, almond milk, oat milk, and any other plant milk. We use soy milk.

    Sugar

    You can use white sugar or brown sugar.

    Oil

    Pick an oil with light color and neutral flavor. Good ones for baking are canola, sunflower, avocado, and light olive oil.

    We don't use butter in our easy chocolate cake to keep the recipe light and suitable for all.

    For an oil-free cake, substitute apple sauce or water for the oil.

    Cacao powder

    Unsweetened cacao powder (best if dutch processed) gives a rich chocolate flavor.

    Bloom the cacao powder with hot water before adding it to the batter to maximize its flavor.

    You can also use unsweetened cocoa powder.

    Chocolate chips

    Dark chocolate chips make the cake even more decadent and more chocolatey.

    Baking powder

    Baking powder makes the cake light and fluffy.

    Make sure your baking powder is fresh and hasn't been sitting in your pantry for too long. Old baking powder might not work.

    There's no need for baking soda in this chocolate cake.

    Orange

    This is an optional ingredient. However, we love mixing in the grated zest of one orange to add freshness and aroma.

    Chocolate and orange are a perfect match, and if you haven't tried them yet, you are in for a treat.

    Chocolate ganache

    We make a super quick and easy ganache with dark chocolate chips (or chopped dark chocolate), water, and vanilla extract.

    Note: we don't add espresso powder to our chocolate cake because we don't keep it in our pantry. There's also no need for buttercream, lemon juice, or vinegar, as we don't use baking soda in this easy chocolate cake recipe.

    Instructions

    Chocolate Cake

    Preheat the oven to 340°F or 170°C. Lightly grease your springform pan with oil, then dust it with flour or line it with parchment paper. Set aside.

    cake pan

    To a small mixing bowl, add cacao powder and hot, almost boiling water. Whisk until the cacao powder melts. Set aside.

    melted cacao and water

    To a large mixing bowl, add orange zest, milk, sugar, oil, salt, and the melted cacao powder and whisk the wet ingredients until well combined.

    wet ingredients in a bowl

    Sift in the flour and the baking powder and whisk for a few seconds until the wet and dry ingredients are just combined, then mix in the chocolate chips.

    Tip: don't overmix the batter. Overmixing develops the gluten, making the cake heavy and gummy. Some lumps are ok.

    Chocolate batter and chips

    Pour the chocolate cake batter into the cake pan.

    Chocolate batter in cake pan

    Bake in the oven at 340°F or 170°C for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out dry.

    Transfer the cake to a wire rack a let it cool down.

    Note: the cake will dome and crack a little, and that's ok. We are not going for perfect looks here.

    baked cake

    Chocolate Ganache

    Add dark chocolate chips, vanilla extract, and hot water (not boiling).

    Stir with a spatula until the chocolate melts.

    Note: ganache is a simple chocolate glazing made from melted chocolate and a liquid.

    Chocolate ganache

    Let the ganache cool down for 15 minutes, then pour it on the chocolate cake. Spread it with the back of a spoon, let it set, and serve.

    Chocolate cake with ganache and orange

    Variations

    Chocolate cake with jam filling

    Easy chocolate cake with jam

    Orange jam, sour cherry, or strawberry jam are all great flavor pairings for this chocolate cake.

    You can also fill it with a hazelnut spread or a simple custard for festive occasions.

    Chocolate pound cake

    pound cake with chocolate

    Use the chocolate cake batter to make a perfectly moist chocolate pound cake. It's a delicious and week-friendly cake with 9 easy-to-find ingredients.

    Check out our chocolate pound cake recipe.

    More easy cakes

    Lemon cake

    lemon cake and slice

    Our lemon cake is an easy recipe; you'll have a light and zesty treat made with just 8 ingredients.

    You can eat it as is or fill it with lemon curd or custard for an indulgent and party-friendly cake.

    Check out our lemon cake recipe.

    Orange cake

    Orange cake on a plate

    Make this fruity and light orange cake with freshly squeezed orange juice and easy-to-find ingredients. You can make a quick orange curd as a filling or eat the cake as is.

    Check out our orange cake recipe.

    Apple cake

    baked vegan apple cake

    You'll love this apple cake because it's soft, moist, light, airy, and easy to make with a few simple ingredients and lots of apples.

    This cake is perfect for any occasion and is a sure crowd-pleaser.

    Check out our apple cake recipe.

    Tips

    How to scale this recipe?

    This recipe is easy to scale. We calculated the scaling number for you. First, pick the springform pan you want to use for your cake, then multiply all the ingredients in our recipe box by the scaling number in this table.

    Pan sizeScaling Number
    4 inch (10 cm)0.22
    5 inch (13 cm)0.31
    6 inch (15 cm)0.44
    7 inch (18 cm)0.60
    8 inch (20 cm)0.79
    8.5 to 9 inches (21 to 23 cm)1 (this is what we used)
    10 inches (25 cm)1.23
    11 inches (28 cm)1.5
    Springform pan sizes and how to scale the recipe.

    Questions

    How can I make my chocolate cake moist and fluffy?

    1) Melt the cacao powder in hot water for 5 minutes before adding it to the cake batter.
    2) Do not use butter, not even vegan butter or coconut oil, but just little vegetable oil.
    3) Do not over-mix the batter. Instead, mix it with a spatula for a few seconds. Don't worry about lumps.
    4) Add the baking powder last.
    5) Prep a springform pan and preheat the oven to bake your cake immediately after mixing the ingredients.

    Is chocolate vegan?

    Dark chocolate with a 70% and above cacao content is generally dairy-free and vegan. If you are in doubt, read the label. The same is true for cacao powder, cocoa powder, and dark chocolate chips.

    Storage

    Room temperature: this cake stores well for up to a week. You can keep it on your kitchen counter, wrapped in foil or plastic wrap.

    Fridge: If it's very hot where you live, keep it in the refrigerator, wrapped in plastic.

    Freezer: you can freeze this chocolate cake, but it would be best to do it before you add ganache or the filling. Let it cool down completely, transfer it into a freezer-friendly bag, and freeze it for up to 3 months.

    When you take it out of the freezer, let it thaw in the refrigerator first, then add the ganache or the filling.

    Similar Recipes

    Get new inspiration from these deliciously moist and fun cake recipes, all of them made with 8 ingredients or less:

    • Blueberry lemon cake
    • Easy chocolate brownie cake
    • 8-ingredient pear cake
    • 5-minute prep lemon pound cake
    • lemon pound cake
      Lemon Pound Cake
    • brownie cake with ice cream
      Chocolate Brownie Cake
    • lemon blueberry slices of pound cake
      Lemon blueberry pound cake
    • pear cake with pear slices of top
      Pear Cake

    For many more easy dessert ideas, check out our desserts category page.

    Recipe

    Chocolate cake with orange

    Easy Chocolate Cake

    Author: Nico
    This easy chocolate cake is a quick and tasty recipe that melts in your mouth. It's not your traditional layer cake but a lighter, easier-to-make version.
    It has a full chocolate flavor and a light orange aroma. Eat it as is, or top it with our easy chocolate ganache for a family-friendly sweet treat.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Share Recipe
    5 from 14 votes
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 45 mins
    Course Breakfast, Dessert
    Cuisine American, International
    Servings 12 slices
    Calories 300 kcal

    Equipment

    • Springform pan 8.5 to 9 inches (23 to 24 cm) in diameter.

    Ingredients
     
     

    WET INGREDIENTS

    • ½ cup unsweetened cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 1 cup water
    • ½ cup milk any, we use almond milk
    • ¾ cups sugar
    • ¼ cups vegetable oil sunflower, canola, or other
    • 1 orange the grated zest (optional)
    • ¼ teaspoon salt

    DRY INGREDIENTS

    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 3 teaspoons baking powder
    • ¼ cup dark chocolate chips

    GANACHE (optional for topping)

    • 1 cup dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate
    • ⅓ cup hot water
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 340°F or 170°C. Lightly grease your springform pan with oil, then dust it with flour or line it with parchment paper. Set aside.
      cake pan
    • To a small bowl, add cacao powder and hot, almost boiling water. Whisk until the cacao powder melts. Set aside.
      melted cacao and water
    • To a large bowl, add orange zest, milk, sugar, oil, salt, and the melted cacao powder and whisk the wet ingredients until well combined.
      wet ingredients in a bowl
    • Sift in the flour and the baking powder and whisk for a few seconds until the wet and dry ingredients are just combined, then mix in the chocolate chips.
      Tip: don't overmix the batter. Overmixing develops the gluten, making the cake heavy and gummy. Some lumps are ok.
      Chocolate batter and chips
    • Pour the chocolate cake batter into the cake pan.
      Chocolate batter in cake pan
    • Bake in the oven at 340°F or 170°C for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out dry.
      Transfer the cake to a wire rack a let it cool down.
      baked cake

    CHOCOLATE GANACHE

    • Add dark chocolate chips, vanilla extract, and hot water (not boiling).
      Stir with a spatula until the chocolate melts.
    • Let the ganache cool down for 15 minutes, then pour it on the chocolate cake. Spread it with the back of a spoon, let it set, and serve.
      chocolate cake before cutting

    Notes

    Nutrition information is an estimate for 1 slice of chocolate cake out of 12 slices.

    Nutritional Values

    Nutrition Facts
    Easy Chocolate Cake
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 300 Calories from Fat 99
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 11g17%
    Saturated Fat 6g38%
    Trans Fat 0g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
    Monounsaturated Fat 1g
    Cholesterol 0.2mg0%
    Potassium 335mg10%
    Carbohydrates 46g15%
    Dietary Fiber 3g13%
    Sugar 20g22%
    Protein 5g10%
    Vitamin A 65IU1%
    Vitamin B6 0.1mg5%
    Vitamin C 7mg8%
    Vitamin E 1mg7%
    Vitamin K 10µg10%
    Calcium 128mg13%
    Folate 57µg14%
    Iron 2mg11%
    Manganese 0.3mg15%
    Magnesium 32mg8%
    Zinc 1mg7%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Did you like this recipe?We are not much on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Leave us a comment below instead, it would mean the world to us 🙂

    If you liked this recipe, you might also like the following:

    • vegan brunch recipes including vegan frittata, french toast and vegan egg salad
      25+ Best Vegan Brunch Recipes
    • 43 plant-based desserts including vegan custard and apple cake
      43 Plant-Based Desserts
    • vegan custard
      Vegan custard (pastry cream)

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Stefan

      February 19, 2023 at 3:16 pm

      can i make this recipe with oat flour? i think i should put more baking powder or less flour, because oat flour is heavier than the regular one. Is it possible to make this cake soft even with oat flour?

      Reply
      • Nico

        February 19, 2023 at 5:33 pm

        Hi Stefan,

        thanks for your message. I haven't tried this recipe with oat flour so am not sure if it will turn out ok.
        Sorry I can't be of help.
        Nico

        Reply
    2. Fflur

      February 04, 2022 at 9:21 pm

      5 stars
      This cake was so delicious and the texture is incredible!! The best vegan cake I have ever made, thank you .

      Reply
      • Chef Nico

        February 12, 2022 at 8:15 am

        Thank you Flur, I am so happy you share my chocolate-cake-passion! What a compliment. Cheers, Nico

        Reply
    3. Nara

      November 08, 2021 at 7:05 am

      5 stars
      Thank you so much for this recipe! It’s so hard to find good recipes for my allergies without lots of costly ingredients, this recipe is perfect! I made it with the chocolate cream for the filling and used almond milk instead of soy, it turned out perfectly! Once again thanks so much for making these recipes 💕

      Reply
      • Nico

        November 10, 2021 at 4:40 pm

        Nara, thank you very much for commenting! I am really happy that you like the cake and the ingredients - wonderful idea with the almond milk, that I have to try!! Enjoy your day!
        Nico

        Reply
      • Shira

        January 23, 2022 at 7:00 am

        5 stars
        A really simple and yummy cake! One problem i had though is it didnt rise like it was supposed to.. really want to make the cake again, and make it right this time. Could you give me any tips or guesses why it didnt rise?

        Reply
        • Chef Nico

          January 30, 2022 at 8:27 am

          Hi Shira,

          thank you for the message...a few guesses:

          - make sure your baking powder is fresh and that it didn't sit in your pantry for too long.
          - once you add the baking powder to the batter, try to bake the cake as soon as possible, without letting it sit out for too long (it helps to preheat the oven in advance so you don't have to wait). The baking powder will start losing some of its rising effect once in the batter.
          - are you using the right cake pan? This cake is not super tall, if you want it taller you could use a smaller cake pan 🙂

          - finally, it could be that your baking powder is different than mine, and you might need to add a little more. Try and read the instructions on the back of the package of your baking powder to see how to best use it.

          Hope this helps 🙂
          Have a great day!
          Nico

          Reply

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