The Stay At Home Chef’s recipe for The Most Amazing Chocolate Cake has been tried and loved by tens of thousands of people worldwide, all of whom agree that it is the most amazing chocolate cake ever. In fact, it has gained the nickname “The Matilda Cake” because it looks just like the decadent cake eaten by Bruce Bogtrotter in the movie Matilda.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One Bowl – The batter is made in just one bowl, so no combining wet and dry ingredients separately.
- Rich Chocolate Flavor – This cake is rich and fudgy, making it a true indulgence for any chocolate cake lover.
- It’s Moist! – One of the key measures of a chocolate cake is whether or not it is moist. This one checks every box!
- Every Option – Not only is this cake the best, we’ve given you every option we can for various pan sizes, frosting options, and subtitutions.
Are you ready for the most heavenly chocolate cake you’ve ever tasted? After years of testing, we have finally perfected the ultimate chocolate cake recipe. This rich, fudgy chocolate cake will melt in your mouth with every bite. Its fluffy, moist crumb is coated in a thick layer of decadent chocolate frosting, making it a true indulgence for chocolate lovers. And the best part? It’s so easy to make, with just one bowl for the batter.
Indulge in the ultimate chocolate experience with The Most Amazing Chocolate Cake. Moist, rich, and made in a single bowl, this chocolate cake has received thousands of rave reviews. Satisfy your chocolate cravings with the chocolate cake of your dreams.
Substitutions
Buttermilk is a liquid that is left over after churning butter. It is an important ingredient in this recipe due to the way it interacts with other ingredients. Buttermilk can be easily substituted with a mixture of milk and vinegar or lemon juice, or with almond or soy milk and white vinegar. You can also find more in-depth information on how to make a buttermilk substitute in this post.
Yes, you can make this recipe dairy-free. Simply add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar to almond or soy milk, let it stand for 5 minutes, and use the mixture in place of the buttermilk. You can also use a dairy-free frosting option for the frosting.
Yes, you can easily adapt this recipe to be gluten-free by using a “Cup for Cup” gluten-free flour blend in the same amounts as the regular flour called for in the recipe.
There are several options that work well as egg substitutes in this recipe:
1/4 cup of plain yogurt per egg
1 tablespoon vinegar+ 1 teaspoon baking powder whisked together per egg
1/4 cup mashed banana per egg
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce per egg
Adapting the Recipe for Different Sizes and Shapes of Cakes
This chocolate cake recipe yields approximately 9 cups of batter total, or 3 cups for each of the 9-inch layers. Here are some popular pan sizes and the approximate amount of batter needed for each individual pan:
- 9×2-inch round pan: 3 cups batter
- 8×2-inch round pan: 2 1/4 cups batter
- 13×18-inch sheet cake pan: 6 cups batter
- 9×13-inch pan: 6 cups batter
- 12 standard cupcakes: 3 cups batter
- 10-12 cup bundt cake pan: 8 cups batter
As a general rule, cake pans should be filled 2/3rds of the way full for cake baking, unless otherwise specified in the recipe.
It’s always a good idea to check for doneness by inserting a toothpick or cake tester into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached, the cake is likely done. You can also gently press the center of the cake with your finger – if it springs back, it is probably ready to be removed from the oven.
Keep in mind that these are just general guidelines and the actual baking time may vary depending on factors such as your oven’s temperature accuracy, the type of pan you are using, and the altitude at which you are baking. It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on your cake as it bakes and to make any necessary adjustments to the baking time as needed.
Types of Cocoa Powder
Cocoa powder is an important ingredient in many baked goods and can affect the flavor and texture of the final product. It is important to use the type of cocoa powder specified in a recipe, as using the wrong type can alter the balance of flavors and sweetness. There are several types of cocoa powder available, each with its own distinct flavor and properties.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, specifically Hershey’s brand, was used in this cake recipe as it is the most widely available to readers. You can also use higher-quality cocoa powders such as Ghiradelli or those from specialty chocolatier shops, but they can be expensive. It is recommended to avoid using inexpensive store brands as they tend to not produce the best results.
- For the dark-colored frosting in these photos, Hershey’s Special Dark Unsweetened Cocoa Powder was used.
- Dutch-process cocoa powder is a type of cocoa that has been treated with an alkali to neutralize its acidity. It has a milder flavor and darker color than natural cocoa powder, and is also easier to dissolve in liquids. When using dutch-process cocoa powder in place of unsweetened cocoa powder in a recipe, it is important to consider that it may behave differently due to its lower acidity. However, in this recipe, dutch-process cocoa can be used without making any other modifications.
Frosting Options
Watch the video below where Rachel will walk you through every step of this recipe. Sometimes it helps to have a visual, and weโve always got you covered with our cooking show. You can find the complete collection of recipes on YouTube, Facebook Watch, or our Facebook Page, or right here on our website with their corresponding recipes.
Wow! I made this cake last night and it was amazing. Very moist, delicious and not too sweet.
I absolutely love this recipe!! This was my first attempt at a cake that didn’t come out of a box and it was an immediate hit! Everyone loved the cake and the icing. I did less powdered sugar, though. Only 5 cups because I felt that the dark chocolate taste really went well with the lighter chocolatiness of the cake. Amazing recipe, though. Definitely going to make for a future birthday!
Can I use self raising flour instead of all purpose flour ?
No.
Do the ingredients (buttermilk, eggs) need to be room temp?
No, they do not.
Well since no one made comment about diabetic modifications, I decided to try. I substituted half the sugar with stevia. The cake is delicious and moist! Perfect! Next time Iโll use just stevia.
I was just wondering about Stevia. Thank you. I’m going to use just the Stevia, will let you know. Thanks again
I wonder if Truvia would work as well. My son is T1 although he thankfully is not a big sweet eater.
Due to Covid 19, I did not have Hersey Cocoa so I substituted cocoa mix in the cake and chocolate chips in the frosting. Didn’t have buttermilk, so I made my own with regular 2% milk and vinegar. Even with the substitutions, the cake was amazing. I made the cake for my husband’s 74th birthday. I coordinated a birthday parade for my husband which consisted of people with who he used to work as well as people from a motorcycle group. The parade consisted of 15 vehicles. The cake was large enough that
all of the participants got a piece of the cake. This morning, I nave reviews of the cake. THE CAKE WAS AMAZING. I have to agree.. I will definitely try this recipe again. Thank you.
Did’t have
I teach culinary arts to high school students and I’ve been searching for good cake recipes for years!!!! I made this for my son’s birthday and it is INCREDIBLE!!!!!! My only problem was that both the cake batter and the frosting recipes were a bit too much for my stand mixer – even on the lowest speed, we had cocoa and powdered sugar EVERYWHERE! I may need to invest in a hand mixer just for this recipe. I did change the frosting up a bit – doubled the vanilla and added a bit of salt. I seriously can’t stop eating it!
I have a stand mixer and was worried about this. I pre-mixed the ingredients with a spatula and then used my stand mixer. I was worried it was going to splash everywhere but it didnโt! Just mixed on low for about 30 seconds then medium for 15 seconds
Ive used this recipe several times, and once for a layer of a wedding cake. Its the most delicious moist cake i have ever baked. Everyone loves it, thank you Rachel, Stay at Home Chef
Made this fir my birthday tomorrow….this is definitely a winner!!!! Absolyteky magic andvit wasceasy asvwell