Indulgent, timeless, and beloved by all, chocolate cake is a classic treat that never fails to delight. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply craving a sweet pick-me-up, a slice of rich, moist chocolate cake is sure to satisfy. With its deep cocoa flavor and tender crumb, chocolate cake is a versatile dessert that pairs beautifully with various frostings, fillings, and toppings. From simple buttercream to decadent ganache, the possibilities for customization are endless. A one-bowl chocolate cake recipe is a must-have for every baker’s repertoire. It is incredibly easy to make and minimizes cleanup, making it perfect for busy bakers or last-minute cravings. Combining all the ingredients in a single bowl lets you have a delicious homemade cake ready to go in no time. Plus, the simplicity of a one-bowl recipe allows the rich chocolate flavor to shine, making it a crowd-pleasing dessert that’s sure to impress. For a simple yet elegant presentation, consider frosting a chocolate cake “naked.” This trendy technique involves lightly frosting the layers of the cake, allowing some of the cake to show through for a rustic, homemade look. To achieve this effect, simply spread a thin layer of frosting between each layer of the cake, then use a spatula to frost the top and sides lightly, leaving some of the cake exposed. The result is a beautifully imperfect cake that’s perfect for any occasion, from casual gatherings to formal celebrations.
Why is this the best cake recipe
Moist and Rich Flavor: Combining buttermilk and hot water in the cake batter creates a moist and rich chocolate cake with a deep cocoa flavor. Easy Preparation: This recipe uses just one bowl, making it quick and easy to prepare with minimal cleanup. Versatile: The cake can be baked in different sizes, like three 6-inch cakes, making it suitable for various occasions and preferences. Bakery-Style Frosting: The creamy and decadent frosting is similar to what you would find in bakeries, adding a professional touch to your homemade cake. Customizable: The frosting can be easily customized by adjusting the amount of cocoa powder or adding different flavor extracts to suit your taste. Crowd Pleaser: This cake will surely be a hit with friends and family, whether for a special celebration or a delicious treat.
Ingredients and substitutes
All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure to the cake. You can substitute it with cake flour for a lighter texture or a gluten-free blend for a gluten-free version. Sugar: Sweetens the cake and helps to retain moisture. You can use white or brown sugar for a slightly different flavor or a sugar substitute for a lower-sugar option. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Adds chocolate flavor and color to the cake. Dutch-processed cocoa powder can be used as a substitute, but it may affect the leavening, so adjust the amount of baking powder accordingly. Baking Soda: Helps the cake rise by reacting with the acidic ingredients. Baking powder can be used as a substitute, but you’ll need to use more (about 1 1/2 to 2 times the amount) since it’s less potent than baking soda. Baking Powder: Provides additional leavening to help the cake rise. If you don’t have baking powder, you can make a substitute by combining 1/4 teaspoon baking soda with 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar. Salt: Enhances the flavor of the cake and balances the sweetness. You can reduce or omit the salt if you’re sensitive to it, but it may affect the overall flavor slightly. Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and help the cake rise. For a vegan alternative, use a flax or chia seed egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed or chia seeds mixed with three tablespoons water per egg). Buttermilk: Adds moisture and a slight tangy flavor to the cake. You can make a buttermilk substitute by adding one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes. Vegetable Oil: Adds moisture to the cake and helps keep it tender. You can substitute melted butter or a neutral oil like canola or sunflower oil. Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor of the cake. For a different flavor profile, you can use other flavor extracts like almond or peppermint. Hot Water: Helps bloom the cocoa powder and create a smoother batter. You can use hot coffee for a richer flavor or hot milk for a creamier texture.
Step-by-step: One Bowl Cake
Preheat your oven to 350°F /175°C/ Gas mark 4. Line three 6-inch round cake pans with parchment paper circles, then grease and flour the pans.
Batter – In a large bowl, combine the cocoa powder with hot water. Then, add all the rest of the cake ingredients until smooth. Bake – Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool—Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove them from the pans and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Bakery frosting – In a large bowl, beat the butter until creamy and smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt, and beat until well combined and creamy.Pro tip – If the frosting is too thick, add more cream, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency.
Frost – Use the frosting to assemble and frost the cooled cakes as desired. I placed the frosting in a piping bag with a star tip and piped a border around each layer. Then, top the cake with fresh seasonal cherries.
Tips for Success
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your eggs, buttermilk, and butter are at room temperature. This helps them mix more evenly into the batter and frosting. Measure Ingredients Accurately: For the best texture and flavor, use a kitchen scale or measuring cups/spoons to accurately measure your ingredients, especially the flour and cocoa powder. Sift Dry Ingredients: Sifting the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and baking powder together helps to remove any lumps and ensures even distribution in the batter. Mix the Batter Gently: Mix the batter just until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing can lead to a tougher texture in the cake. Do Not Overbake: Keep an eye on the cakes while they are baking and remove them from the oven as soon as a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Overbaking can result in a dry cake. Cool Cakes Completely: Allow the cakes to cool completely on a wire rack before frosting. This prevents the frosting from melting and sliding off the cake. Use a Piping Bag for Frosting: To achieve a bakery-style finish, frost the cake with a piping bag fitted with a large round tip. This allows you to create beautiful swirls and decorations. Decorate with Sprinkles or Chocolate Shavings: Add some extra flair to your cake by decorating it with sprinkles, chocolate shavings, or fresh berries. Store the Cake Properly: Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Allow it to come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture. Enjoy with a Glass of Milk: This rich chocolate cake pairs perfectly with a cold glass of milk for a classic and delicious treat.
Creative variations
Add Some Spice: For a spicy kick, mix in a teaspoon of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or cayenne pepper to the cake batter. Mint Chocolate: Add a teaspoon of peppermint extract to the frosting for a refreshing twist. Raspberry Filling: Spread a layer of raspberry preserves between the cake layers before frosting for a fruity surprise. Coconut Chocolate: Mix in some shredded coconut to the cake batter for a tropical flavor. Espresso Chocolate: For a stronger coffee flavor, use espresso powder instead of some of the coffee in the cake batter. Chocolate Orange: Add a tablespoon of orange zest to the cake batter for a citrusy touch. Nutty Chocolate: Fold in some chopped nuts, such as almonds or pecans, to the cake batter for added crunch. Salted Caramel: Drizzle some salted caramel sauce over the top of the frosted cake for a sweet and salty combination. Chocolate Ganache: Instead of the chocolate frosting, top the cake with a rich chocolate ganache for an extra decadent treat. Chocolate Chips: Mix some chocolate chips into the cake batter for extra chocolatey goodness.
Creative ways to serve chocolate cakes
Warm with Ice Cream: Serve slices of the cake warm with a scoop of vanilla or chocolate ice cream for a delicious contrast of temperatures and flavors. Layered with Mousse: Create a layered dessert by alternating slices of cake with layers of chocolate mousse or whipped cream. Stuffed with Cream: Cut the cake into layers and fill it with a layer of sweetened whipped cream or chocolate ganache before stacking it back together. Trifle: Cube the cake and layer it in a trifle dish with layers of whipped cream, berries, and chocolate sauce for a beautiful and decadent dessert. Cake Pops: Crumble the cake, mix it with frosting, and form into balls. Dip the balls in melted chocolate and decorate with sprinkles or nuts for gluten-free cake pops. Mini Cakes: Cut the cake into mini rounds using a round cookie cutter. Stack the rounds with layers of frosting in between for individual mini cakes. Ice Cream Sandwiches: Cut the cake into squares and use them as the “bread” for ice cream sandwiches, filling with your favorite ice cream flavor. Mug Cakes: Make individual mug cakes by mixing a small amount of cake batter with milk or water in a mug and microwaving for a quick and easy treat.
One bowl vanilla cake or one bowl coconut cake Simple Moist Chocolate Cake, Classic chocolate cake, Chocolate Birthday cake, Chocolate chiffon cake see all layer cake recipes
Frequently asked questions
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