Basic Chocolate Cake Recipe

Name: Basic Chocolate Cake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: Cooking spray; 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (natural or Dutch process); 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 cups sugar; 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1 teaspoon salt; 3 large eggs, at room temperature; 3/4 cup vegetable oil; 1/2 cup sour cream; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Servings: persons

Cooking spray
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (natural or Dutch process)
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs, at room temperature
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat two 9-inch-round cake pans with cooking spray and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
2
Whisk the cocoa powder and 1 1/2 cups boiling water in a medium bowl until smooth; set aside.
3
Whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl until combined.
4
Add the eggs, vegetable oil, sour cream and vanilla and beat with a mixer on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute.
5
Reduce the mixer speed to low; beat in the cocoa mixture in a steady stream until just combined, then finish mixing with a rubber spatula.
6
(The batter will be thin.)
7
Divide the batter between the prepared pans and tap the pans against the counter to help the batter settle.
8
Bake until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes.
9
Transfer to racks and let cool 10 minutes, then run a knife around the edge of the pans and turn the cakes out onto the racks to cool completely.
10
Remove the parchment.
11
Trim the tops of the cakes with a long serrated knife to make them level, if desired.
12
Photograph by Levi Brown

1280

kcal

Calories

Fat

173

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

No additional tips available.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

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This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 11 ingredients. The key ingredients include: Cooking spray, 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (natural or Dutch process), 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 cups sugar, and more.

Yes, Basic Chocolate Cake falls under the Baking & Desserts category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3–5 days. For longer storage, freeze for up to 3 months — no need to refrigerate or reheat.

Basic Chocolate Cake

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