
This is my go to chocolate cake! I use it as the base almost every time I need chocolate cake. It is so easy to make. You can do it with a mixing bowl and whisk, no fancy equipment or ingredients required! It is sure to win you over as well!
For Little Dudes's second birthday, I wanted to make him delicious cakes. Something that went a little beyond the cake mix and tub of frosting. Not that there is anything wrong with that, I readily eat it when placed in front of me!
But I just knew this old fashioned chocolate cake recipe I found in a magazine years ago would be a great option. No fancy frills.
It is just a classic cake with dark chocolate flavor covered in a fudgy frosting. What's not to love about that?

It was such a hit, I couldn't help but to make it again. It is a rich, moist cake that begs for you to get every last crumb.
I love this cake recipe so much that I have gone back to it every time I have needed a chocolate cake for another application. As it turns out, I need a lot of chocolate cake... so that is really saying something!
In fact, I made a treasure chest cake out of it for little man's third birthday and I used it for a Ding Dong Cake as well. It is so easy to put together.
There is no mixer needed, nothing fancy to do. Just ingredients that I always have in my pantry. In less than an hour, with no softening of any ingredients you have a cake!

I have made this cake dozens of times since I originally posted it, but never had a chance to update the pictures. Mostly because the cake was being used in almost unrecognizable ways.
So I really wanted to make it as a classic layer cake again. Because as versatile as this cake is, it really goes so well with this shiny fudge frosting and you can't go wrong!
When using the fudge frosting, the middle layer of frosting almost melts into the layers of cake in such a luscious way. Mmmm!
If you are worried about the coffee granules, don't be. Not one person detected it. It just makes the chocolate flavor deeper (and doesn't hurt the color either!)

If you aren't in the mood for fudge frosting, never fear! There are so many great options. We really loved the creamy caramel sweetened condensed milk frosting on it as well!

This recipe doesn't always have to be made as a layer cake either. It bakes great in a 9x13 and is an excellent base for something like a rolo poke cake! The caramel makes delicious pockets of goodness in the cake and a nice fluffy ermine frosting coats it all!

I've also baked it up into mini bundt cakes and served it with peanut butter whipped cream. So as you can see, this recipe is super versatile.
Pretty much anything you need a chocolate cake recipe for, this beauty can fill in. Plus you are likely to have most of the ingredients on hand already!
Tips and tricks:
- This recipe is super versatile, use it for a 9" layer cake, bake it in a 9x13" pan or even make cupcakes or mini bundts out of it.
- One of my favorite parts about this recipe is there are no ingredients that need to come to room temperature. You can whip up a cake whenever you feel like it.
- You don't need any fancy equipment for the cake, just a bowl and whisk will do. Just make sure to get all of the flour incorporated without over mixing it. That's the key for a tender cake.
- Have fun with it! This cake is a perfect starter cake if you want to get into making homemade cakes. It is also a great easy recipe for seasoned bakers.
- There is a reason it gets rave reviews from everyone who makes it. Do yourself a favor and give it a go!
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piece of devilishly good chocolate sheet cake with chocolate buttercream |
Dairy and egg free batter
When you look at the ingredient list, don't be surprised to find there are no eggs. It seems really strange, but it is correct... no eggs.
I think that is part of what gives the cake it's great soft texture. I have plenty of cake recipes with eggs and those a great too, but in this instance the recipe is perfect without.
I have had several people ask me if it's an accident that they aren't in the ingredient list. While I do occasionally make mistakes like that, I assure you this time it is on purpose.

There is no butter or milk in the batter either. So the cake is great for people with sensitivities or even people who are vegan.
You will have to pick another frosting for sure, but the cake itself is the perfect base for whatever you decide to make!
Yield: 16 servings

Devilishly Good Chocolate Cake
This is THE PERFECT chocolate cake! It's easy to make, the texture is soft, and it's devilishly good. Do yourself a favor and make it ASAP!
prep time: 10 Mcook time: 45 Mtotal time: 55 M
ingredients:
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups hot water
- 3/4 cup oil
- 2 Tablespons white vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon instant coffee granules
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
instructions:
How to cook Devilishly Good Chocolate Cake
- Preheat oven to 350F and grease two 9 inch round cake pans or a 9x13" pan.
- In a large bowl, mix together the sugar, cocoa, flour, baking soda and salt.
- In a second bowl, mix together water, oil, vinegar, coffee and extracts.
- Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- For a layer cake: Divide batter between the two pans and bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, about 40 minutes.
- Cool cakes for about 15 minutes and then invert onto a baking rack to cool the rest of the way.
- For a 9x13: pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 50 minutes, or until a toothpick tests clean.
- Once completely cooled, frost the cake. We will always like the shiny fudge frosting, but also love this cake with cream cheese frosting and whipped cream frosting.
Calories
288.47
288.47
Fat (grams)
10.98
10.98
Sat. Fat (grams)
0.72
0.72
Carbs (grams)
44.62
44.62
Fiber (grams)
1.13
1.13
Net carbs
43.49
43.49
Sugar (grams)
25.12
25.12
Protein (grams)
2.94
2.94
Sodium (milligrams)
304.75
304.75
Cholesterol (grams)
0.00
0.00
Copyright: Cooking With Carlee 2019
This cake sounds and looks amazing, YUM. Will make a copy and thanks for sharing. The addition of adding the vinegar is interesting.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn
It really is good! You need a little vinegar to activate the baking soda. I hope you love it!
DeleteThat does look sinfully delicious!!
ReplyDeleteIt is worth every discretion!
DeleteHello! That chocolate cake looks scrumptious! Thanks for sharing the recipe. Pinning!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It is pretty darn tasty!
DeleteThat cake! Oh my! It looks so rich and moist. I'm definitely going to bookmark this for future reference. Thank you for visiting #AnythingGoes.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by. I hope you make it and love it!
DeleteThat looks delicious! Thanks for sharing with the #BlogFair.
ReplyDeleteIt really is! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteThank you for joining our Oh My Heartsie Girl Wordless Wednesday Link Party. this looks amazing, yum!! Have a great day, co-host Evija @Fromevijawithlove
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting. We REALLY enjoyed this cake!
DeleteOooooo goodness this looks really yummy!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing on The Oh My Heartsie Girls WW this week!!
Enjoy your day!
Karren
Thank you, it definitely won us over!
DeleteCurrently sugar free till July 1 my birthday...this will be my cake. Can't wait.
ReplyDeleteI hope you love it!! I need to go sugar free until July 1, we have really been overdoing it lately.
DeleteAnd happy early birthday!
DeleteLooks like the perfect chocolate cake!! Thank you so much for linking up at Tasty Tuesday! Your recipe has been pinned to the Tasty Tuesday Pinterest board! Please join us again this week!
ReplyDeleteWe really enjoyed it. Thank you!
DeleteHello beautiful! This looks so amazing. Pinned and tweeted. I hope to see you on Monday at 7pm because we love to party with you! Happy Memorial Day! Lou Lou Girls
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a great Memorial Day!
DeleteSounds delicious! I love a good chocolate cake recipe! Thanks for sharing at Tips & Tricks!
ReplyDeleteThis is a really tasty one and comes together easily. It is worth a try!
DeleteOh yum! I bet your little guy was so happy with his cake (and frosting)! Thank you for sharing at the Talented Tuesday Link Party!
ReplyDeleteThe worst part was that it was gone too quickly! Though we have been doing a lot of sweets around here lately, so it was kind of nice that it was mostly gone by the end of the party ;-)
DeleteThis sounds delicious. I love the coffee snuck in there. I bet it does make the cake better. Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty
ReplyDeleteThe coffee really does add some depth to the chocolate without making it taste like coffee. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteYou have my sweet tooth aching!! Lol!! Thanks for Sharing on My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday - Link Party!! Hope to see you again tomorrow!! Pinned!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! After hosting the mother's day dessert buffet, Jaxon's birthday and then my mother-in-law's wedding three weekends in a row, I need to detox from sugar! But, I'm sure in a day or two I'll be ready to make something new!
DeleteYou have just made me so hungry for a great slice of that cake! Thanks so much for sharing your post with Full Plate Thursday. Hope you are having a great day and come back soon!
ReplyDeleteMiz Helen
It was really good! I am glad most of it disappeared during the party, it would have been very dangerous for me if I knew there were leftovers hanging around! Thanks so much for hosting and for stopping by!
DeleteNothing beats a good chocolate cake...expect for a peanut butter cake! Thanks for linking up and sharing your recipe with us at Funtastic Friday. I hope you join us again this week.
ReplyDeleteOh my, having both around made it really hard to choose!! Thanks for stopping by, I'm sure I'll be seeing you Friday!
DeleteBeautiful and delicious looking cake!! I'd looooooooooove a huge slice :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'd be happy to share ;)
DeleteNothing wrong with the classic chocolate cake. Thanks for sharing at #Throwback Thursday. Please join us again and remember this week will focus on Thanksgiving recipes.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to break out some of my favorites! Thanks for hosting!
DeleteYum!!! now I seriously want to go play in the kitchen. Thanks for linking up with From The Archives Friday!
ReplyDeleteYou should! It is a great day for baking!
DeleteGive me chocolate every single time!! Looks delish, Carlee!
ReplyDeleteMe too! One of our friends just made this cake for her niece's birthday and was showing me pictures, now I want to make it again! Thanks, Mollie!
DeleteYay and perfect for Fat Tuesday!!! Chocolate at it's best!!
ReplyDeleteGimme all the chocolate! ;-)
DeleteMy heart started palpitating faster as I read your delectable description of this decadent cake. It sounds devilish, indeed. Love the way you added the little sprinkles. Thanks for sharing with us on The Blended Blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by. I hope you have a good excuse to make one of these soon!
DeleteWish you lived closer. I'd gladly help you lick the plates, lol
ReplyDeleteOh man, you should move closer to us! We could start a food exchange program.. maybe just take turns cooking?
DeleteHi Carlee, my most favourite cake is a nice, rich chocolate cake. This is one I am going to have to try, that's for sure. I do always add a sprinkle of coffee granules to anything chocolate I make, but have never added vinegar to a cake. I really can't wait to make it. It's my song birthday this weekend, but he has requested coconut cake.... Maybe he wouldn't notice!
ReplyDeletexx
He'd be dazzled by all of the chocolate and not know, for sure! Or maybe you could serve it on a bed of coconut instead?! ;-) The vinegar helps it rise since it uses baking soda instead of baking powder. It seems like a strange ingredient, but I promise it works! The coffee really adds something to chocolate treats, doesn't it? Have a great weekend, Debbie!
DeleteHaha, he insisted on his coconut cake, so I didn't make then.... But it is Friday today and the sky is blue and the birds are singing. I couldn't think of a better reason for baking a devilishly good chocolate cake. It's cooling as I type this and the fudge frosting is cooling in the pan. I am looking forward to having a slice later with my daughter who also appreciates a nice slice of cake! xx
DeleteAh!! I can't wait to hear how it went over!
DeleteIt went down a treat and as it was so rich we actually still have some left! It is a cake I will be making again, that's for sure.
Deletexx
YUM! I am turning my screen away from my husband so he doesn't see this one! I don't have any cocoa on hand, and if he see's this one he will have me running to town so I can bake it!
ReplyDeleteYou had better put it on the list!
DeleteThis is a well named cake. It must be sinful!
ReplyDeleteIt is, in the best sort of way! Thanks!
DeleteYour chocolate cake looks delicious, Carlee. You can never have too many chocolate cake recipes! Thanks for sharing at Snickerdoodle. Pinning.
ReplyDeleteYou can never have too many! And you have to try as many as possible in the name of science. It's rough!
DeleteHomemade chocolate cake-looks delish! Thanks for sharing on Funtastic Friday!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteCongratulations!
ReplyDeleteYour recipe was featured on Full Plate Thursday and we pinned it to our features board! Thanks so much for sharing your awesome recipe with us and hope you will come back soon!
Miz Helen
Thank you!
DeleteI'm such a sucker for a chocolate cake and nothing beats one that's homemade with a hint of coffee. This one would last all of 10 minutes in our house Carlee.
ReplyDeleteI agree 100% and I can't be trusted with this cake either. My husband has to actually call dibs on a piece if he wants a chance at it ;-)
DeleteAll right. I'm calling dibs on a piece next time you bake this!
DeleteI supposed you can have one too!
DeleteWould u plz share ur choc frosting recipe
ReplyDeleteThank You Betty
Sure thing, Betty! It is here: http://www.cookingwithcarlee.com/2015/05/shiny-fudge-frosting.html or there are a couple of links for it in this cake post if that is easier! I hope you love it!
DeleteChocolate cake is my fav!
ReplyDeleteI always liked butter cake with chocolate frosting the best, until I stumbled upon this chocolate cake!
DeleteThis cake looks amazing! So moist! The sprinkles add just the right amount of color.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It is a favorite of ours for sure. I love how good it taste and how easy it is to make!
DeleteIn the recipe you baking time for the 9 x 13 pan at 50 min , that's strange because all my 9 x 13 cakes bake for bout 30 min, would u plz explain
ReplyDeleteThat's what worked for me. Ovens do vary and so do recipes, you are welcome to start checking it earlier if you'd like.
DeleteHow can this not be wonderful! So rich and chocolaty! Thanks for sharing at Celebrate365 chocolate party.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI like the fact that there are no eggs for those of us who are watching our cholesterol. Should be watching our waistlines too, but what the heck! ;-)
ReplyDeleteHa! You have to have fun sometimes ;-)
DeleteHas anyone tried adding in raspberries or cherries to this recipe?
ReplyDeleteThat sounds delicious. It is a really moist cake, so there is a possibility they would sink. You'll have to let me know how it goes if you try it!
Delete