Easy Chocolate Cake (Moist, Simple & Foolproof)

Prep: 15 minutes | Cook: 35 minutes | Total: 50 minutes | Serves: 10–12
Best For: Family desserts, birthdays, easy baking

A Simple Chocolate Cake Anyone Can Make

This easy chocolate cake is soft, moist and full of chocolate flavour without requiring complicated ingredients or baking techniques. Everything comes together in one bowl, making it a great recipe for beginner bakers or those days when you just want a reliable homemade cake.

There is something lovely about putting a cake in the middle of the table and letting everyone help themselves to a slice. Whether you're celebrating a birthday, bringing dessert to a gathering or simply baking for the family, this is the kind of simple recipe worth keeping.

Ingredients for Easy Chocolate Cake

• 1¾ cups plain flour

• 1¾ cups caster sugar

• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1½ teaspoons baking powder

• 1½ teaspoons bicarbonate of soda

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 2 large eggs

• 1 cup milk

• ½ cup vegetable oil

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 1 cup hot water

Optional:

• Chocolate frosting

• Chocolate shavings

• Fresh berries

• Icing sugar, for dusting

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the oven. Heat the oven to 180°C conventional or 160°C fan-forced. Grease and line a 22 cm round cake tin.

2. Combine the dry ingredients. Add the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and salt to a large mixing bowl. Whisk until evenly combined.

3. Add the wet ingredients. Add the eggs, milk, vegetable oil and vanilla. Mix until smooth and combined.

4. Pour in the hot water. Slowly stir in the hot water until incorporated. The batter will be quite thin — this is normal.

5. Fill the cake tin. Pour the batter into the prepared tin and gently tap the tin on the bench to release any large air bubbles.

6. Bake the cake. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

7. Cool completely. Leave the cake in the tin for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack.

8. Decorate and serve. Once completely cool, add chocolate frosting or your favourite simple topping before slicing.

Helpful Tips

• Don't worry if the batter looks thinner than traditional cake batter — that's exactly how it should look.

• Measure the flour carefully to avoid making the cake heavy or dry.

• Avoid overbaking; check the centre from around the 35-minute mark.

• Let the cake cool completely before adding frosting so it doesn't melt.

Why This Recipe Works

• Uses simple supermarket and pantry ingredients.

• The one-bowl method keeps preparation and cleanup easy.

• Oil helps keep the chocolate cake soft and moist.

• Beginner-friendly with no complicated baking techniques.

• Versatile enough for birthdays, gatherings or an everyday family dessert.

Explore More Family-Friendly Recipes

If you enjoyed this recipe, you may also love:

• One-Bowl Fudgy Brownies (Easy, Pantry-Only Recipe)

• Easy Chocolate Chip Cookies (Soft & Classic)

• Chocolate Mug Cake (Soft, Gooey & Ready in 2 Minutes)

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Alofa Tunoa shares budget-friendly recipes, family meals, one-pan dinners, and Pacific Island inspired food rooted in Samoan culture and faith-filled home cooking.

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