Chocolate cake is a timeless dessert that everyone loves. Whether it’s for a special occasion or just a sweet treat, making a chocolate cake from scratch can be simple and fun. In this article, I will guide you step-by-step on how to make a basic chocolate cake that’s delicious and easy to prepare.
Ingredients You Will Need
To make a simple chocolate cake, you will need basic ingredients that are easy to find. Here’s a list:
- 1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
- ¾ cup (65g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup (240ml) milk
- ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240ml) boiling water
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Pans
Before starting the batter, it’s important to prepare your baking pans. This ensures that the cake doesn’t stick and will come out perfectly when baked.
Grease the pans: Take two round cake pans (9 inches in diameter) and grease them with butter or cooking spray. Make sure to cover the bottom and sides of each pan evenly.
Add flour: After greasing, sprinkle a small amount of flour into each pan. Rotate the pan until the flour coats the entire surface. This will help prevent the cake from sticking.
Preheat your oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and let it preheat while you make the cake batter.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
To make the cake batter, we need to mix the dry ingredients first.
Sift the dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add 1 ¾ cups of all-purpose flour, 1 ½ cups of granulated sugar, ¾ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder, 1 ½ teaspoons of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of salt.
Mix thoroughly: Use a whisk or spoon to mix the dry ingredients well. Make sure the cocoa powder is evenly distributed in the flour mixture. This will give your cake a smooth, even texture when baked.
Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients
Once the dry ingredients are ready, it’s time to add the wet ingredients to the mixture.
Add the eggs: Crack two large eggs into the dry mixture. This will help bind the ingredients together.
Add the milk: Pour in 1 cup of milk. You can use any type of milk, whether whole, skim, or a dairy-free alternative like almond milk.
Add the oil: Pour in ½ cup of vegetable oil. The oil will help make the cake moist.
Add the vanilla extract: Add 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract to give the cake a warm, rich flavor.
Mix everything together using a hand mixer or a whisk until it forms a smooth batter. Make sure there are no lumps in the batter, and that all the ingredients are well combined.
Step 4: Add Boiling Water
At this point, your batter will be fairly thick. To make it lighter and create a moist texture, we need to add boiling water.
Boil the water: Boil 1 cup of water. Make sure it is steaming hot before adding it to the batter.
Mix with the batter: Gradually add the boiling water to the batter, stirring constantly. The batter will become thin and runny, but this is completely normal. The thin consistency helps the cake bake evenly and stay moist.
Step 5: Pour the Batter into the Cake Pans
Now that your batter is ready, it’s time to pour it into the prepared cake pans.
Evenly divide the batter: Pour the batter into the two cake pans, making sure to divide it equally. You can use a spatula to spread the batter evenly in the pans.
Smooth the top: After pouring the batter, use the back of a spoon to smooth out the tops of the cakes. This will help the cake rise evenly.
Step 6: Bake the Cake
Now it’s time to bake your cake.
Place the pans in the oven: Put both cake pans in the preheated oven.
Bake for 30-35 minutes: Set a timer for 30 minutes and check the cake. The cakes are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If not, let them bake for another 5-10 minutes.
Cool the cakes: Once the cakes are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool in the pans for about 10 minutes. After that, carefully remove the cakes from the pans and place them on a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 7: Frost the Cake
Once the cakes have cooled, you can frost them. Here’s how to make a simple chocolate frosting to go along with your cake.
Ingredients for Chocolate Frosting:
½ cup (115g) unsalted butter (softened)
¾ cup (65g) unsweetened cocoa powder
4 cups (480g) powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup (60ml) milk
Steps for Frosting:
Beat the butter: In a large bowl, beat ½ cup of softened butter until it’s creamy and smooth.
Add cocoa powder: Add ¾ cup of cocoa powder to the butter and mix it in until it is fully combined.
Add powdered sugar: Gradually add 4 cups of powdered sugar, a little at a time. Keep beating until the frosting becomes thick and smooth.
Add vanilla and milk: Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and ¼ cup of milk. Continue beating the frosting until it’s fluffy and spreadable.
Step 8: Assemble the Cake
Now that the frosting is ready, let’s assemble the cake.
Place one layer on a plate: Take the first layer of your chocolate cake and place it on a serving plate.
Spread the frosting: Use a spatula to spread a generous amount of frosting over the top of the first layer. Be sure to cover it evenly.
Add the second layer: Place the second layer of cake on top of the first one.
Frost the top and sides: Spread frosting over the top of the second layer. Then, frost the sides of the cake to cover the entire surface with a smooth layer of chocolate frosting.
Decorate (optional): If you like, you can decorate the cake with chocolate shavings, sprinkles, or even fresh fruit like strawberries.
Step 9: Serve and Enjoy
Once your cake is frosted and decorated, it’s ready to be served. Cut slices and enjoy the delicious, moist, homemade chocolate cake. You can serve it with a glass of milk, coffee, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Tips for Success
Use room temperature ingredients: Make sure the eggs, milk, and butter are at room temperature before starting. This helps the batter mix evenly and ensures a smooth texture.
Measure ingredients correctly: Too much flour or cocoa powder can make the cake dry. Use proper measuring cups for accuracy.
Don’t overmix: Overmixing the batter can lead to a dense cake. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
Use good quality cocoa powder: The flavor of the cocoa powder will affect the taste of your cake. Using a high-quality cocoa powder will result in a richer, deeper chocolate flavor.
Conclusion
Making a simple chocolate cake from scratch doesn’t have to be complicated. With just a few basic ingredients and a little time, you can create a moist, delicious chocolate cake that will impress your family and friends. Follow these steps, and you’ll have a homemade cake that’s sure to satisfy any chocolate craving!
Related topics
