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The BEST Chocolate Cake Recipe in the world. This moist, rich chocolate cake with chocolate frosting is one of the most popular cake recipes. This 5-Star Rated Chocolate Cake Recipe is the best homemade chocolate cake. Everyone will ask for this Chocolate Birthday Cake for every single birthday celebration!

Love at First Sight Chocolate Cake. The BEST Chocolate Cake Recipe in the world. This moist, rich chocolate cake with chocolate frosting is one of the most popular cake recipes. This 5-Star Rated Chocolate Cake Recipe is the best homemade chocolate cake. Everyone will ask for this Chocolate Birthday Cake for every single birthday celebration!

The Best Chocolate Cake Recipe

Everyone loves this homemade chocolate cake recipe…just read the reviews! 

I have been on a baking quest for years….trying out every single chocolate cake recipe that I can get my hands on. It’s my duty as a baker to ensure that I test them all, right? I wanted to test out every baking method, different ingredients, all types of brands of cocoa powder, butter vs. oil in cakes…all to find the best chocolate cake recipe

My sister-in-law owns her own cake business and is the baking goddess. Years ago, she decided that every Sunday she was going to test out a different chocolate cake recipe. She did this for months on end and through her exhaustive research, she found her favorite.

Love at First Sight Chocolate Cake. The BEST Chocolate Cake Recipe in the world. This moist, rich chocolate cake with chocolate frosting is one of the most popular cake recipes. This 5-Star Rated Chocolate Cake Recipe is the best homemade chocolate cake. Everyone will ask for this Chocolate Birthday Cake for every single birthday celebration!

Why you will love this Homemade Chocolate Cake Recipe:

This Love at First Sight Chocolate Cake is an adaption of her ultimate cake and it’s everything a perfect chocolate cake should be – rich, moist, fudgy, and the best chocolate cake you will ever eat. We’ve done the research for you so you don’t have to. This is a 5-star rated moist chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream frosting.

Love at First Sight Chocolate Cake. The BEST Chocolate Cake Recipe in the world. This moist, rich chocolate cake with chocolate frosting is one of the most popular cake recipes. This 5-Star Rated Chocolate Cake Recipe is the best homemade chocolate cake. Everyone will ask for this Chocolate Birthday Cake for every single birthday celebration!

I have been baking ever since I can remember with my Mom and Grandma. They have taught me so much over the years about baking and I will be sharing all of the tips and tricks I have learned to make a perfect homemade chocolate cake.

There are tricks of the trade to make sure the cake easily comes out of the pan and how to frost the cake so the frosting comes out smooth. Baking is all about ratios and you have to find that perfect balance.  Here are some of the most important things I have learned about the art of baking cakes.

Love at First Sight Chocolate Cake. The BEST Chocolate Cake Recipe in the world. This moist, rich chocolate cake with chocolate frosting is one of the most popular cake recipes. This 5-Star Rated Chocolate Cake Recipe is the best homemade chocolate cake. Everyone will ask for this Chocolate Birthday Cake for every single birthday celebration!

What ingredients are in Chocolate Birthday Cake?

  • Oil: This makes the chocolate cake so moist and tender. I would suggest using a neutral oil such as canola or vegetable oil in this cake recipe.
  • Sugar
  • Eggs
  • Buttermilk: This gives chocolate cake the most tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
  • Vanilla
  • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: See the section below on how to choose the perfect cocoa powder for baking.
  • Flour: I suggest using all-purpose flour or cake flour in this recipe. You can always use half all-purpose and half cake flour.
  • Baking Soda + Baking Powder + Salt: This helps the cake to rise while baking in the oven.
  • Hot Water: See below as to why it is important to use hot water when making chocolate cake batter.

CHOCOLATE FROSTING INGREDIENTS:

  • Butter: I suggest using salted butter to make this chocolate buttercream frosting.
  • Powdered Sugar
  • Cocoa Powder
  • Heavy Cream: You can also substitute half-n-half or milk in place of heavy cream.

The cake is super moist as a result of using both oil and buttermilk. The buttermilk creates a tender crumb. The hot water (or you can use hot coffee) makes it extra moist and helps to dissolve the baking soda and activate it. 

The chocolate buttercream frosting is made with sweet cream butter, unsweetened cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and heavy cream.

Love at First Sight Chocolate Cake. The BEST Chocolate Cake Recipe in the world. This moist, rich chocolate cake with chocolate frosting is one of the most popular cake recipes. This 5-Star Rated Chocolate Cake Recipe is the best homemade chocolate cake. Everyone will ask for this Chocolate Birthday Cake for every single birthday celebration!

Why add hot water to chocolate cake batter?

Adding hot water to chocolate cake batter is a technique that enhances the flavor and texture of the cake. The hot water serves multiple purposes in the baking process:

  1. Dissolving Cocoa Powder: Cocoa powder can sometimes have lumps or clumps. Adding hot water helps dissolve the cocoa powder, ensuring a smooth and consistent chocolate flavor throughout the batter.
  2. Intensifying Chocolate Flavor: Hot water intensifies the flavor of chocolate. The heat helps release and amplify the natural cocoa flavors, resulting in a richer and more robust chocolate taste in the finished cake.
  3. Moisture Retention: The addition of hot water contributes to the moistness of the cake. Moisture is a key factor in achieving a tender and soft crumb, making the cake more enjoyable to eat.

It’s important to note that the hot water is typically added towards the end of the mixing process, after the dry and wet ingredients have been combined. This helps create a well-balanced and velvety chocolate cake. While it might seem unconventional, this technique has been widely adopted in many chocolate cake recipes to elevate the overall quality of the final product.

Love at First Sight Chocolate Cake. The BEST Chocolate Cake Recipe in the world. This moist, rich chocolate cake with chocolate frosting is one of the most popular cake recipes. This 5-Star Rated Chocolate Cake Recipe is the best homemade chocolate cake. Everyone will ask for this Chocolate Birthday Cake for every single birthday celebration!

What type of Unsweetened Cocoa Powder should I use in cake recipes?

According to America’s Test Kitchen, “Cocoa powder is the chocolate liquor that is processed to remove all but 10-24% of the cocoa butter. Cocoa Powder comes in natural and Dutched versions. Dutching raises the cocoa powder’s pH levels, which neutralizes its acids and rounds out its flavor. Both natural and Dutch cocoa will work in recipes. Dutch-processed cocoa will produce baked goods with a darker color and moister texture.”

If you notice in the photos of my Love at First Sight Chocolate Cake, I used two different types of cocoa powder, which creates different hues. 

The chocolate cake recipe photos below use a Guittard Dark Dutch Cocoa Powder. This is a true black cocoa powder with an intensely deep, rich flavor thanks to a 10-12% cocoa butter content. 

The Best Chocolate Cake Recipe. How to make the best homemade chocolate cake recipe. This Chocolate Birthday Cake with Chocolate Frosting is the only chocolate cake recipe you need! This is a moist chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream. How to make dark chocolate cake.

The homemade chocolate cake recipe photos that are lighter in color use a Callebaut Dutched Cocoa Powder. It has a warmer color with reddish-brown notes. It is slightly sweeter than the dark dutch cocoa powder. I find this unsweetened cocoa powder in the bulk section at Winco. It is much less expensive at Winco, than you can find online.

The Best Chocolate Cake Recipe Ever. How to make the perfect chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. 5-star rated chocolate cake recipe. Homemade chocolate cake that comes out perfect every single time. www.modernhoney.com #chocolatecake #cake

You can top this dark chocolate cake with chocolate shavings or chocolate sprinkles. This chocolate birthday cake is the perfect cake to bake for any celebration!

The Best Chocolate Cake Recipe. How to make the best homemade chocolate cake recipe. This Chocolate Birthday Cake with Chocolate Frosting is the only chocolate cake recipe you need! This is a moist chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream. How to make dark chocolate cake.

How to make the PERFECT CHOCOLATE CAKE:

  • Oil works best in chocolate cakes (in my humble opinion). Even though I am the biggest butter fan, adding oil to a chocolate cake batter creates a moist texture. I have used both canola and coconut oils and both turn out beautifully. When I use melted coconut oil, there is surprisingly no coconut oil taste in the cake. My favorite baking appliance when making cakes and cookies is my KITCHENAID MIXER. You can find all types of colors and sizes by clicking HERE. 
  • Cake flour does make a difference in the tender crumb of the cake but you can substitute all-purpose flour.
  • A high-quality cocoa powder can change the depth of chocolate flavor. I use Callebaut Cocoa (which I find in the bulk section at Winco. It is so inexpensive when you buy it from the bulk bins. You can buy as little or as much as you need).
  • Using both baking soda and baking powder gives it the best rise. Homemade cakes don’t puff up as much in the middle as boxed cake mixes do so don’t be surprised when they are a tad flatter. It makes them so much easier to stack and frost.
  • Buttermilk is a must because it gives it the melt-in-your-mouth texture.
  • Don’t overbake your cake. You want that moist, tender crumb so watch it carefully.
  • My favorite baking pans are these ones — 
Wilton 8 Inch Round Pan

and 

USA Round Cake Pan, 9 inch

. A flat spatula to frost a cake is essential and is only around 5 bucks — 

Wilton Angled Icing Spatula

.

  • Spray the pans with non-stick cooking spray. After baking, let the cakes cool for about 15 minutes before removing them from pans. If you want to make them extra easy to frost, stick them in the freezer for about 20-30 minutes. Remove from freezer when ready to frost.
  • Spread a thin layer of frosting called a “crumb coat” all over the cake. This helps to smooth out the crumbs to prepare for the final coating of frosting. It is like a primer for a cake.
  • Love at First Sight Chocolate Cake. The BEST Chocolate Cake Recipe in the world. This moist, rich chocolate cake with chocolate frosting is one of the most popular cake recipes. This 5-Star Rated Chocolate Cake Recipe is the best homemade chocolate cake. Everyone will ask for this Chocolate Birthday Cake for every single birthday celebration!

    Tips for making the Best Chocolate Cake:

    1. Quality Ingredients Matter: Invest in high-quality cocoa powder and chocolate for an intense and rich flavor.
    2. Room Temperature Ingredients: Bring eggs, milk, and butter to room temperature before using to ensure even mixing.
    3. Sift Dry Ingredients: Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to remove lumps and achieve a smooth batter.
    4. The Boiling Water Trick: Adding boiling water at the end enhances the chocolate flavor and results in a moist crumb.
    5. Don’t Overmix: Mix the batter until just combined to avoid a dense texture. Overmixing can lead to a tough cake.
    The Best Chocolate Cake Recipe. How to make the best homemade chocolate cake recipe. This Chocolate Birthday Cake with Chocolate Frosting is the only chocolate cake recipe you need! This is a moist chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream. How to make dark chocolate cake.

    How to know when the chocolate cake is done baking?

    How to Know When Your Cake is Done Baking:

    • Toothpick Test: Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter), the cake is done.
    • Springy Top: Gently press the top of the cake with your finger. If it springs back, it’s ready.
    • Edges Pull Away: The edges of the cake should slightly pull away from the sides of the pan when it’s done.
    Love at First Sight Chocolate Cake by Modern Honey - www.modernhoney.com

    What cake pans should I use?

    To make this homemade chocolate cake, I usually use three 8-inch cake pans to make three thin layers. You can also use two 9-inch thicker layers, if you prefer. To see which brand is my favorite, you can find the links above. This chocolate cake recipe makes at least 12-24 slices of cake, depending on how you slice it. It is the perfect chocolate birthday cake to feed a crowd!

    Love at First Sight Chocolate Cake

    Every Valentine’s Day, I make my husband his very own chocolate cake. The problem is that he goes to work, leaving me at home staring at a triple layer chocolate layer cake that is begging to be eaten….by me. Oh, the torture. But I always say that if I am going to eat the calories, make it worth it. This cake is worth every single calorie, I promise.

    This is also our most requested birthday cake. This chocolate birthday cake with chocolate frosting is always a crowd-pleaser!

    Love at First Sight Chocolate Cake by Modern Honey - www.modernhoney.com

    So what’s with the name — Love at First Sight Chocolate Cake?

    I was fresh out of high school and about ready to embark on my freshman year in college when I met HIM. You know the guy that stops you in your tracks and makes your jaw drop to the floor. He was sipping water out of the drinking fountain at a college dance and my friend grabbed me and said, “did you just see the eyes on that guy?”

    I looked over to see this tall, dark, and handsome guy with piercing blue eyes walking down the hallway. My friend, who felt that she just found her soulmate, ran after him to ask him to dance. I tried to play it a little bit cool even though my heart was beating out of my chest at first glance.

    As we walked outside to the dance, the music was starting to fade as a slow song begun. I was standing in a large group of friends when I felt someone tap my shoulder. I turned around to see “him.” He was even better looking close up and I didn’t think that was even possible. He asked if I wanted to dance and of course, I answered a resounding “yes” as he grabbed my hand to guide me to the dance floor.

    The connection was instant and undeniable and I thought to myself that I didn’t want it to end. Lucky for me, before the end of the night he asked for my phone number and I was one giddy girl all the way home.

    Melissa Stadler Love at First Sight Chocolate Cake

    So that “love at first sight” encounter actually turned into real life, true, unconditional love. This guy eventually got down on one knee in a small fishing boat in the middle of the lake, surrounded by candlelight to ask me to marry him.

    I was a young 20-year old who had a lot of life to figure out but we decided that we were ready to grow together – to learn, to make mistakes, and to eventually start a family together. We will hit our 20 year anniversary this November (woo hoo!) and I love him so much more now than the day we got married.

    Let’s get back to this Love at First Sight Cake because I am falling in love with this more and more by the minute. This is seriously the BEST Chocolate Cake Recipe.

    Popular Chocolate Recipes:

    Love at First Sight Chocolate Cake. The BEST Chocolate Cake Recipe in the world. This moist, rich chocolate cake with chocolate frosting is one of the most popular cake recipes. This 5-Star Rated Chocolate Cake Recipe is the best homemade chocolate cake. Everyone will ask for this Chocolate Birthday Cake for every single birthday celebration!

    Pin this now to find it later

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    4.96 from 315 votes

    Love at First Sight Chocolate Cake

    By: Melissa Stadler, Modern Honey
    The BEST Chocolate Cake Recipe in the World. This decadent chocolate cake is rich, moist, and will cure your chocolate cravings.
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 24 minutes
    Total Time: 34 minutes
    Servings: 16

    Ingredients  

    Chocolate Cake:

    • 1 3/4 cup Flour
    • 1 3/4 cup Sugar
    • 3/4 cup Cocoa high quality
    • 2 teaspoons Baking Soda
    • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
    • 1 teaspoon Salt
    • 1/2 cup Oil canola or coconut oil
    • 2 Eggs
    • 1 cup Buttermilk
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons Vanilla
    • 1 cup Hot Water

    Chocolate Buttercream:

    • 1 1/2 cups Butter softened
    • 1 cup Cocoa
    • 5 cups Powdered Sugar
    • 1/3 cup Cream Half n Half or Milk

    Instructions 

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    • In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. If you have a flour sifter, sift all dry ingredients.
    • In mixing bowl, beat oil, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla for 1 minute. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir until combined. Pour in hot water and mix together. The batter will be liquidy but that’s a good thing — it will create a moist cake.
    • Spray two 9-inch cake pans with non-stick cooking spray. You can also use three 8-inch cake pans for this recipe. Pour batter evenly into each pan. Bake at 22-27 minutes. Place toothpick or cake tester in the center of the cake to check if it comes out clean.
    • Let cool before frosting.

    To make Chocolate Buttercream:

    • In mixing bowl, cream together Butter, Cocoa, Powdered Sugar, and Cream until light and fluffy. You may want to add more cream or milk depending on consistency. Once the cake has cooled and has been removed from pans, frost each layer with frosting.
    • Top with chocolate shavings, chocolate chips, sprinkles, M & M’s or whatever your heart desires.

    Video

    Notes

    *This recipe makes three 8-inch thin layers to two 9-inch thick layers. If you would like to make a thick triple layer cake, 1 1/2 times the recipe and use three 9-inch cake pans.
    This is one baked good that gets even better the next day if covered.
    For shinier chocolate frosting, add 1-2 Tablespoons of corn syrup.

    Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

    Additional Info

    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 16
    Keyword: chocolate cake
    Like this? Leave a comment below!Jump to Comments

    Pin on PINTEREST:

    The Best Chocolate Cake Recipe Ever. How to make the perfect chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. 5-star rated chocolate cake recipe. Homemade chocolate cake that comes out perfect every single time. www.modernhoney.com #chocolatecake #cake

    Go get a fork, a plate, and dig into the best chocolate cake on the planet.

    Happy Baking!


    Hi, I'm Melissa Stadler!

    I am an Award-Winning Recipe Creator. Cover of Food Network Magazine. Two-Time Pillsbury Bake-Off Finalist. I am passionate about sharing the best recipes so you have success in the kitchen!

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    Recipe Rating




    580 Comments

    1. 5 stars
      Hands down the best chocolate cake recipe EVER!!!! So amazingly moist, rich and delicious! I’ve made it 3 times now and every time people rave about how great it is! I did make a few tweeks right off the bat. I replace the 1c. of hot water for hot coffee, something about coffee and chocolate it’s a perfect marriage! Then the 1&1/2 tsp. Vanilla I just put 2 teaspoons and the 3rd time I made it I even tried the special dark coco powder by Hershey OMG so freaking delicious and I like the tip on using cake flour that does make a difference. Great job with this recipe it’s definitely a keeper 🙂

      1. 5 stars
        Hi Natasha! Thank you for taking the time to write such a kind comment. I appreciate you trying it out and I am so glad that you loved it. Those are some fabulous substitutions. Thank you for sharing them with my readers! Have a great night! – Melissa

    2. 5 stars
      I just made this cake for a friend’s birthday yesterday. I’m a college student, so getting hold of the right supplies and facilities for baking doesn’t always happen, but this recipe survived a great deal of improvisation and was still delicious! I had to eyeball the measurements, sift the dry ingredients with a slotted spatula, mix everything by hand, and bake it in a stainless steel mixing bowl — it was still fantastic. Can’t wait to try it out at home, with better quality ingredients and proper supplies!

      Also, THE FROSTING. It was sooo yummy and chocolatey but not too sweet. I might not always make cakes from scratch, but I can’t imagine going back to store-bought frosting after trying this chocolate buttercream!

      1. 5 stars
        I LOVE that you are a college student and made a cake! That is seriously so amazing! I bet you impressed all of your friends. Thanks so much for trying out my recipe. 🙂 – Melissa

    3. You have so many comments on this cake that it goes to say that it was fabulous. I made two layers and the cake was plenty high, but next time I think I’ll cut the layers in half and make four layers like I do my red velvet cake. Thanks for this recipe. Keep up the good work! Love ya.

      1. 5 stars
        Hi Aunt Cindy! Awww…I am so glad you made my cake. Thank you!! You are always so supportive and it means so much. Love you! – Melissa

    4. Hi, Melissa!

      I don’t know why but I’d been craving for a moist chocolate cake. Every. Night. I searched Google for one and picked your site.

      I enjoyed reading your story so much that I forgot I was there for the recipe! I love the way you write!

      I was determined to satisfy my craving so I made your Love at First Sight Cake and it was LOVE AT FIRST BITE! Perfection! Craving satisfied! My family loved it, too! Thank you for sharing your story and your recipe!

      PS. I should let you know that making it didn’t go smoothly at some point. The first part was a cake (pun intended ????) until I came up with a watery batter! That’s when I got distracted and remembered that I forgot (what?!) to grease the pans after I have put them in the oven! So out they came and I put the batter back in the mixing bowl, washed and greased the pans, poured the batter in them then put them back in the oven.

      1. 5 stars
        Haha! Your comment made me laugh! I am SO with you….I crave chocolate cake every night too. I laughed that you dumped the batter back into the mixing bowl to grease the pans. Way to remember just in the nick of time. So glad you loved the cake. I appreciate you taking the time to comment and for making me laugh. 🙂 – Melissa

    5. 5 stars
      I made this cake to practice for my daughter’s upcoming birthday party. It was amazing! Everyone loved it. I really want to add a raspberry filling and cover the cake in pink buttercream (I want to use food coloring to do a rosette cake). But, I am afraid of ruining the cake by doing too many alterations. Is there a white buttercream recipe that you recommend with this cake? Thank you so much for the amazing recipe!

      1. 5 stars
        Hi Monika! I love that you did a test run on a birthday cake. That is dedication and I love it! A rosette pink buttercream would be beautiful. I tend to use 1 cup butter, softened 4 cups powdered sugar and 1-2 Tablespoons heavy cream or whole milk and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. If you want it to be firmer for the rosettes, add 1-2 more cups of powdered sugar. Good luck with the cake. I am sure it will be beautiful! – Melissa

    6. 5 stars
      Made this last night for my boyfriend’s son’s birthday. I was nervous it was going to be a fail, because the batter was super watery. Turned out to be hands-down the best chocolate cake I have ever had (much less made myself). It was light and fluffy, yet incredibly moist. This recipe will be my go-to fgor chocolate cake from now on!

      1. 5 stars
        Hi Christine! How sweet of you to make a homemade cake for his birthday. There is nothing better! I am so happy that it was a hit. Thank you for your kind comment! – Melissa

    7. My friends like this recipe.. amazing.. realy recommend.. suggestion if you don’t lile too sweet, lessen the frost but over all.. 10/10.
      Thank you for this recipe moist and very delicious.

      1. 5 stars
        Hi Gerwin! Thank you for trying out the recipe and for taking the time to comment. So glad your friends liked the cake! – Melissa

    8. I’d love to try this recipe tonight! Any ideas on what to sub for buttermilk? I don’t have it on hand and hoping to not go out to the store! Thanks!

    9. 5 stars
      OMG!!! This cake is delicious. The only thing I changed was the buttermilk. I didn’t have any and the nearest store is 20 miles away. I used 3/4 cup sour cream and 1/4 cup water. I’m keeping this recipe. Thanks for sharing.

    10. 5 stars
      This was DELICIOUS! I made it for my son’s birthday and everyone LOVED IT! Super moist! Was simple enough to make. Before considering this cake I read the comments and some had negative things to say. Remember baking is a sensitive task. It’s very important measurements are accurate. Ingredients need to be fresh. Temperature of ingredients makes a difference-cold eggs, milk or butter etc- so watch what recipe calls for. DO NOT OVER pre-heat your oven. NEVER mix dry & wet ingredients all at once. When cakes are baked DO NOT leave them in the pans too long….use cooling racks when cakes are still warm but not pipping hot. and most importantly WATCH YOUR THOUGHTS! COOK WITH LOVE! If you are reading comments & contemplating wether this cake is worth the effort- YES! It is SOOOOOO WORTH IT! Best chocolate cake recipe! I’ll be sure to pass it along! <3

      1. 5 stars
        You are so awesome, Dina! Your comment just made my day. Thank you so much for spreading such positive and encouraging words. I appreciate it. So happy you loved the cake!