• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Precious Diary
  • About
    • About
    • Contact
    • Work with Me
  • MY PEN SPEAKS
    • Love n Marriage
    • Singles
    • News n Features
    • Faith
    • Parenting
    • Beauty n Style
    • Blogging
  • Recipe Index
    • Breakfast Recipes
    • African Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Popular African Foods
    • Cameroonian Food
    • Carrribean Recipes

Precious Core logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Soups and Stews
  • Videos
  • Recipe Index
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Soups and Stews
    • Videos
    • Recipe Index
    • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Precious Kitchen

    PUBLISHED: Mar 1, 2017 · UPDATED: Nov 26, 2022 by Precious · This post may contain affiliate links · 40 Comments

    Classic Chocolate Cake

    Sharing is caring!

    2.4K shares
    • Share2.2K
    • Yum this
    • Email
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    You guys, cakes are back on the blog! Not like they went anywhere but since I already have 10 cake recipes around here, I was on a Sabbatical from cake-making/cake recipe posting. My friend changed that for me. When I called her on Sunday, she was gushing about some delicious cakes she had just baked with lemon and orange rind as flavours. I told her to stop tempting me because I promised myself I wasn't going to cook that Sunday. I am sure I have said it before but let me say it again: It is hard for me not to cook. Especially when I'm at home. My brain and body keep conniving to make me cook, cook and cook. When I do not yield to that strong desire to cook, I feel like a drug addict who is trying to stay clean. Totally. However, I survived Sunday. I cooked nada! But the next day, being Monday, I made up for what I didn't do on Sunday. I baked banana cake, fish pies and this ah-mazing classic chocolate cake.

    Classic Chocolate Cake - Precious Core

    You see, one of the things I love about homeschooling is how vesartile it is. Like how you can involve the kids in whatever you do. So my baking spree totally involved the girls. I told them we were having "homeschool cooking practicals". They put on their aprons and we set out to make some cake. They were excited but didn't like when I had to constantly stop and take pictures so I could share on the blog. But I had to because a number of you have asked me for a good chocolate cake recipe and I promised ya I was going to share one.

    Here is the the cast of characters for our chocolate cake.

    chocolate cake ingredients

    Flour, sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, eggs, milk, baking powder, baking soda, salt, vegetable oil, instant coffee and boiling water (not pictured). Check the printable recipe below for the exact proportions of the ingredients.

    Now the coffee is really awesome because it deepens that chocolatey flavour in the cake. You can leave it out if you want but that little "push" the coffee gives is good.

    To make the chocolate cake, all you need is one bowl, the ingredients listed above, and the will to make chocolate cake. Start by pre-heating your oven then greasing two round 9-inch baking tins. Dust with cocoa powder after greasing.

    dusted baking pan for classic chocolate cake

    Dump all your dry ingredients into the bowl. That means your flour, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa powder, sugar, salt and coffee.

    dry ingredients for classic chocolate cake

    Now give that a good whisk until well combined then you add in the eggs, milk, vegetable oil and vanilla.

    step 2 for classic chocolate cake

    Now give all of that a good mix. I love using my kitchen spatula to do this. It does the job pwetty well.

    step 3 for classic chocolate cake

    Next, add in some boiling water. Yes, boiling water. The boiling water helps to dissolve the cocoa powder and it brings out the cocoa powder flavour. Note that the boiling water will make the batter very thin. Do not freak out. It is still cake, not soup.

    perfect classic chocolate cake batter

    Now pour your batter into prepared cake pans.

     

    classic chocolate cake batter in pan

    Bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

    classic chocolate cake just baked

    Now this cake is great on its own and I just wanted to dig all the way in and start eating. But I wanted to show you guys the complete picture so I made some chocolate buttercream frosting.

    Here are the ingredients needed for the frosting: icing sugar, cocoa powder, milk (I only used two tablespoons) and softened butter. You also need vanilla extract but I was out of vanilla extract so it is omitted here.

    chocolate buttercream frosting

    You make the frosting by creaming the butter then gradually adding the other ingredients. I used my stand mixer for this.

    perfect chocolate buttercream frosting

    This frosting is pure perfection. You could also use it on a white cake if you wish.

    When your cakes cool completely, trim the top so they are level with no mounds on top, then turn the first cake upside down and begin applying the frosting.

    frosting chocolate cake

    I frosted the first cake, pressed the second cake on top then frosted all around both cakes so they looked like one. I used a butter knife to create some sort of pattern on the cake. Here is the finished product:

    perfectly frosted chocolate cake

    Who wants to eat cake?

    Perfect chocolate cake - Precious Core

    This cake is perfectly chocolatey, luscious, rich and umm... fattening. Enjoy, friends!

    P.S. If you want to learn how to make chocolate cupcakes, check out this recipe: easy chocolate cupcakes.

     

    Classic Chocolate Cake

    This is a classic chocolate cake that is so easy to put together. You only need one bowl! It pairs up with the most amazing chocolate buttercream frosting.
    4.84 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: International
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 35 minutes
    Total Time: 50 minutes
    Servings: 12 servings
    Calories: 451kcal
    Author: Precious

    Ingredients

    Chocolate Cake

    • 2 cups flour (240 g)
    • ½ cup vegetable oil or oil of choice - I used canola (118 ml)
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder - heaped
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda - heaped
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1-2 cups sugar I used 1 cup (200-400 g)
    • 2 large eggs
    • ½ cup cocoa powder (50 g)
    • 1 cup boiling water (236 ml)
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
    • 1 teaspoon instant coffee powder
    • 1 cup liquid milk (240 ml)

    Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

    • ½ cup butter (113 g) - softened
    • 3 cups icing sugar (375 g)
    • 2 tablespoons liquid milk (or more as needed)
    • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
    • ½ cup cocoa powder (50 g)

    Instructions

    Chocolate Cake

    • Heat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Grease and dust with cocoa powder, two 9-inch round baking pans.
    • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, instant coffee powder, salt and sugar.
    • Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla extract to the whisked powder. Mix well until everything is well incorporated.
    • Add boiling water to the water and mix well. It is going to become very thin. This is normal.
    • Pour the batter into prepared cake pans and bake at 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) for about 35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the middle of both cakes comes out clean.
    • Let the cake cool completely then spread frosting on top if you so wish.

    Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

    • Put butter into a stand mixer and cream on low for about one minute. Add in icing sugar, one cup at a time, beating the butter and sugar after each addition. Add in milk and vanilla extract and beat. Add the cocoa powder and beat to a spreading consistency. If the frosting is too light, add more sugar. If it is too thick, add a little milk.

    Notes

    Recipe slightly adapted from Hershey's Kitchens.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 451kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 404mg | Potassium: 184mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 48g | Vitamin A: 313IU | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @preciouscore or tag #preciouscore!

    Classic Chocolate Cake - Precious Core

    If you make this recipe please tag me in a photo on Instagram: @preciouscore. I'll love to see!pre-signature-pro

    YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

    • Easy Chocolate Covered StrawberriesEasy Chocolate Covered Strawberries
    • Homemade Chocolate Ice CreamHomemade Chocolate Ice Cream
    • Easy Moist Chocolate CupcakesEasy Moist Chocolate Cupcakes
    • COCONUT HOT CHOCOLATE (HEALTHY!)COCONUT HOT CHOCOLATE (HEALTHY!)

    More Precious Kitchen

    • Nigerian Beef Stew
    • Cinnamon Rolls With Cream Cheese Frosting (VIDEO)
    • Baked Turkey Wings
    • 3 Ingredient Biscuits

    Sharing is caring!

    2.4K shares
    • Share2.2K
    • Yum this
    • Email

    About Precious

    Welcome to my core! I am Precious Nkeih, the recipe developer and writer right here on my blog, Precious Core. My goal is to show you insanely delicious recipes you can replicate in your kitchen. And I love to tell stories too. Hope you find recipes here that will make cooking easier for you! Check me out on YouTube at YouTube.com/PreciousKitchen.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Joy2Endure says

      March 02, 2017 at 4:44 am

      It's been good to have some time to take a dose of Precious Core again.
      How I missed this space!
      Thanks for the recipe. Home schooling is really great your kids are learning straight from the best mama.
      Salivating from the pics of the chocolate cake but ha man go do? Just fo cova eye read lol 🙂

      Reply
      • Precious says

        March 02, 2017 at 6:58 pm

        How this space missed you!!
        Lol at just go cova eye read. No worry, wan day na wan day.

        Reply
    2. Bola says

      March 02, 2017 at 7:23 am

      Coffee in cake, wow!

      Reply
      • Precious says

        March 02, 2017 at 6:59 pm

        Yes dear, it is AWESOME.

        Reply
    3. Dominika Goodness says

      March 03, 2017 at 4:18 am

      Wow! Precious the cake expert, thank you for telling me that hot water can be mixed with cake. I learnt something. Lol at "the cast of characters for our chocolate cake ".God bless you Ma'am.

      Reply
      • Precious says

        March 04, 2017 at 8:53 pm

        Yes, hot water can be added to chocolate cake, dear. Hope you try this sometime.

        Reply
    4. Bisola says

      March 03, 2017 at 1:27 pm

      Love the pictures. So crisp and clean and vivid.
      It makes the " making" process come to life.
      This one na double chocolate cake. I like.
      How on earth do you not add weight? If I visited you for just one week, I would everything possible. ?

      Reply
      • Precious says

        March 04, 2017 at 8:55 pm

        Hahaha I hear you!
        All the fat goes to my belly - I guess.
        Thanks for the compliments, dear!

        Reply
    5. TM David-West says

      March 11, 2017 at 3:13 am

      Gosh, cake!

      I wish I can move in with someone who cookd/bakes like this!

      Reply
      • Precious says

        March 13, 2017 at 11:14 pm

        Lol, you are so funny!

        Reply
    6. mbori says

      March 13, 2017 at 7:13 am

      am salivating. looks appetising...

      Reply
      • Precious says

        March 13, 2017 at 11:16 pm

        Thanks Mbori!

        Reply
    7. claudine efenge says

      March 21, 2017 at 6:07 am

      wey Pre.....gracias
      i'll try this out. my last coco daughter.....for now is turning 9 and is a choco freak. hopefully it turns out like yours before birthday turns to disaster

      Reply
      • Precious says

        March 21, 2017 at 6:31 pm

        I'm sure you will do a good job, sweet mother. There shall be no disaster. Lol
        Happy birthday to your little girl!

        Reply
    8. Pamela says

      May 22, 2017 at 4:51 am

      Hi Precious, thanks alot for alll the wonderful recipes. Can I replace the baking cocoa with the local MATINAL powder we have here in Cameroon

      Reply
      • Precious says

        May 23, 2017 at 4:20 pm

        Yes dear, you can use Matinal. But note that Matinal is sweetened so you will have to reduce the quantity of sugar in the recipe.

        Reply
        • Pamela says

          May 31, 2017 at 4:40 am

          Thanks alot

          Reply
    9. NSOH NINGO ADE says

      August 18, 2017 at 4:00 pm

      Hey Precious,
      I bless the day I stumbled onto your blog. I have tried your DG poulet recipe, the chocolate and plain cakes recipes..... The results were epic. Got eaten so fast I forgot to take pictures.
      Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. God bless you
      Nsoh

      Reply
    10. Rebecca Caesar says

      September 04, 2017 at 10:48 pm

      Yummy thanks too.

      Reply
      • Precious says

        September 05, 2017 at 11:37 am

        You are welcome, Rebecca!

        Reply
    11. Therese says

      September 06, 2017 at 1:13 am

      I love it God bless you my dear . I love such things but the time is not there fr me to do one. Previous u are so wonderful

      Reply
      • Precious says

        September 10, 2017 at 7:28 am

        Thanks so much dear Therese!

        Reply
    12. Anyauwa Faith says

      September 13, 2017 at 4:08 am

      Wow! I love anything Chocolate.
      Can i freeze it. How long will it last?
      Thanks

      Reply
      • Precious says

        September 14, 2017 at 7:36 am

        Hi dear, I've not frozen it before because we eat it fast when I make it but yes you could wrap it in plastic wrap and freeze. I think it can last for a couple of months.

        Reply
    13. Princess Neleh says

      November 20, 2017 at 7:36 am

      Beautiful one dear. I really want to try this recipe any time from now but I face some challenges that I need your assistance. Talking of cocoa powder, I can't find it around me so I need to know how to substitute. Secondly, my oven has no degrees so timing is very difficult. Though there are some figures 1-4 and a clock like image 0-60 but all these get me so confused. But I understand the clock is for timing but what about the degrees? My third worry is that I don't know if I can substitute the liquid milk with powder milk. If yes how do I go about it. Oh dear I have spoken so much please just bear with me, Just feel frustrated.

      Thanks so much for your usual cooperation

      Reply
      • Precious says

        November 21, 2017 at 2:31 pm

        Hi Princess, do you have chocolate spread around you? I will say substitute the cocoa powder with about 1 cup of chocolate spread (the one used on bread) then use the dried milk as it is. However, I'm not sure how the texture of your cake will be with these because I have never tried it.
        For the oven, I will say use anywhere from 2-3. But you might want to search for more ideas on Google. Type in something like, "convert oven numbers to degrees" and see if you can get some direction from there. Hope this helps, dear.

        Reply
    14. Annabel says

      September 29, 2018 at 12:38 pm

      Hello dear, can I use butter in the place of vegetable oil?
      I've enjoyed many recipes from your blog,sorry for not giving feedback,but your the best!!!!!

      Reply
      • Precious says

        September 30, 2018 at 11:39 am

        Hi dear, yes you could use butter but note that your cake might not be as moist as when oil is used. Hope this helps.

        Reply
    15. Langaman says

      October 02, 2018 at 7:36 am

      Oh chocolate cake oh chocolate cake look what you've done to me. You raised my appetite bars to near boiling point yet I can't have you to cool down this anguish.

      Reply
      • Precious says

        October 07, 2018 at 10:54 pm

        Hahaha! You know, you could follow the recipe and make some to calm that boiling point appetite.

        Reply
    16. Gareth says

      May 29, 2020 at 10:17 am

      Looks yummy. I need to try it. Is it possible to make buttercream frosting with a regular blender or by hand?

      Reply
      • Precious says

        May 30, 2020 at 10:36 am

        You can make it by hand.

        Reply
    17. Temitope says

      July 03, 2020 at 1:51 pm

      Thanks Precious for this recipe! Please i want clarification about the flour. Is the 240g equivalent to 2 cups?

      Reply
      • Precious says

        July 06, 2020 at 11:08 am

        Yes, that's about 2 cups.

        Reply
    18. olaitan aishat says

      July 06, 2020 at 1:01 am

      You are so detailed in the explanation of how to prepare it ...great job

      Reply
      • Precious says

        July 06, 2020 at 11:09 am

        Thank you!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    precious

    Hi, I'm Precious!

    I am a mama with many mouths to feed. I develop recipes and share real-life stories. Here you will find approachable, insanely delicious, family-friendly recipes.

    More about me →

    [do_widget id=simple-social-icons-2]

    Popular Recipes

    • Pan Seared Tilapia
    • Banana Fritters
    • Ginger Drink
    • EGUSI SOUP - NIGERIAN EGUSI SOUP
    • Chicken in White Sauce
    • Chicken Drumsticks in Creamy Sauce

    [do_widget id=enews-ext-1]

    Easy Dinner Recipes

    • Garlic Butter Tilapia
    • Lemon Butter Salmon
    • Garlic Butter Green Beans
    • Pan Seared Boneless Pork Chops
    • Roasted Turkey Thighs
    • Lemon Pepper Turkey Wings

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    IMPORTANT LINKS

    • Home
    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • Work with Me
    • Contact
    • Recipe Index
    • Accessibility Policy

    Life

    • Our Family Trip To Austin Texas
    • Family Vacation At Lake Havasu, Arizona

    STAY CONNECTED

    [do_widget id=simple-social-icons-2]

    COPYRIGHT © 2022 PRECIOUS CORE