Easy Chocolate Cake

This Easy Chocolate Cake recipe does exactly what it says on the tin. A simple and foolproof one bowl chocolate cake recipe that is absolutely delicious and perfect for all occasions. Not only can I have my cake, I can now so easily eat it.

For a long time I have been looking for easy chocolate cake recipes that possess three very important qualities, super easy, super chocolatey and super reliable......and here she is.....a one bowl recipe full of chocolatey depth and dripping in incredible icing.

I don't mind admitting I am ecstatic. Emotional and over the top I know but this cake will slot itself so very easily into my everyday baking, bringing joy and chocolate love to all that happen by my kitchen.

This is a recipe that in a month I will know off by heart and throw together in ten mins, plus it is more than capable of accessorising up into a celebration/birthday cake as well as an afternoon tea, weekend, sit calmly in your kitchen humming Barry White songs, kinda chocolate cake.

It consists of nearly all store cupboard ingredients and requires almost no baking skills at all. I'm a very happy baker right now....especially as I just had a sneaky wedge for breakfast.

Easy Chocolate Cake Recipe

So here she is, my gorgeous and easypeasy, no sass, best chocolate cake evers. Make it as a sandwich cake, cup cakes or traybake.

*You Can Scroll Straight Down For The Recipe Card But Below Are Step by Step Instructions.*

Ingredients

• 150 mls sour cream or plain yoghurt
• 3 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 tbsp vegetable oil
• 200 grams (7 oz) soft unsalted butter or baking spread
• 225 grams (8 oz) plain flour
• 225 grams (8 oz) caster sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda
• ½ tsp fine sea salt
• 50 grams (1.75 oz) dark cocoa

Chocolate Icing

• 100 grams (3.5 oz) dark chocolate
• 50 grams (1.75 oz) milk chocolate melted
• 1 tbsp golden syrup
• 150 mls sour cream
• 100 grams(3.5 oz) soft unsalted butter
• 400 grams (14 oz) icing sugar

Method

STEP-1

• It simply starts and almost ends with dumping it all into the mixing bowl. I use a free standing mixer but you can use a handheld whisk too.

STEP-2

• Just begin mixing slowly as there is a lot in the bowl and it could easily fly over the edge until the wet ingredients damp down the dry.
• Mix for a couple of minutes until it pales a little. Midway through the mix use a spatula to scrape down the sides and then carry on mixing for a minute more.

STEP-3

• I then simply dollop the cake batter into my two 8 " non stick sandwich tins. I use reusable liners but if you don't have any then grease and line with 8 " cut out discs of baking paper.
• I do weigh my tins to get them roughly the same size.

STEP-4

• I bake at 170 C for about 25/30 minutes. As soon as it looks ready after 25 mins insert a toothpick or similar and see if it comes out clean. If it does and the top feels springy to the touch then it should be ready.
• Remove carefully from the tins after 5 minutes.
• Cool on a wire rack.

STEP-6

Next on the laid back list is the icing. Now this is an icing that is very kid friendly. My children seem to shy away from traditional icing a lot of the time but they can't get enough of this stuff.

I simply use my food processor but you can use a hand held mixer too, just start carefully as icing sugar likes to explode everywhere.

• Add all the ingredients to the food processor or mixing bowl.
• I melt the chocolate before adding to the food processor in the microwave in 20 second blasts/quick stir and repeat. Let the chocolate cool a little before adding if it's really hot.
• Blitz or mix until smooth.

STEP-7

• I then put it in the fridge for 15 minutes to firm up. Once it firms up it stays firm, even out of the fridge. I'm not sure why.
• Once the sponges are cool then slather it on one sponge and top with the other before slathering it on the top one.
• Be generous there is a lot of icing. I like to grate chocolate on top but feel free to add whatever you fancy.

Easy Chocolate Cake Tips

• Use an oven thermometer to monitor oven temperature. The temperature can vary enormously and I strongly believe that this is a big problem. Until I bought one I had no idea that my oven fluctuated so greatly. They are very cheap to buy and have transformed my baking.
• Don't over bake, this goes for all sponges, no one likes a dry cake. It is better to take this one out sooner rather than later.
• Don't skip the bicarb of soda this cake needs it.
• Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature.
• Only ice the cake when it is completely cool otherwise the icing will become too thin.
• Use the best dark cocoa you can manage. It does give a much better flavour.
• I have used Stork (baking spread) instead of butter and it was still immense.
• Make this cake gluten free by using gluten free flour.

How to Store Easy Chocolate Cake

I keep mine under a Cake Dome in the kitchen. I can keep admiring it then but it will do just as well in an air tight container. I am still eating it 3 or 4 days after the fact and it is just as good

It keeps for longer in the fridge. In fact I actually prefer it cold from the fridge.

Can you freeze Chocolate Cake? Yes you can. The sponges freeze well if wrapped in a double layer of clingfilm and foil when completely cool from the oven.. Simply thaw on a wire rack, still in their wrappings for a couple of hours before icing as normal.

Alternative Bakes

I have made this chocolate cake recipe as a 7 " cake for a birthday cake. I baked it for about 45/50 minutes at 160 C.

This is a really versatile and a great chocolate cake recipe for kids.

I have used the recipe to make 18/20 average sized cup cakes. I iced them with half the icing amount and they were mighty fine.

And I also make this cake as a Traybake. I use a 20 cm x 30 cm tin and bake at the same temperature for about 30 minutes. Try not to overbake!

This is a great way to make the cake for a group of children or picnic.

You will only need ¾ of the amount of icing though.

There is a U.S weight conversion button below.

Here are some more super simple cake recipes.

Chocolate Fudge Cake

Traybakes

Ginger Cake

Chocolate Loaf Cake

 Victoria Sponge Cake

Coffee and Walnut Cake

Lemon Drizzle

Banana Bread

 

Do let me know how you get on in the comments below. I do love a good old hairy chin wag.