Moist Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ call purpose flour
- ¼ ccornstarch
- 1 cunsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tspbaking soda
- 1 tspbaking powder
- ½ tspkosher salt
- 1 cgranulated sugar
- 1 cdark brown sugar
packed
- ½ cvegetable oil
- 1 cmayonnaise
- 3 largeeggs + 1 egg yolk
- ½ cmilk
- 1 tbspvinegar
- 2 tspvanilla extract
- 1 chot coffee
or 1 cup hot water + 2 tsp instant espresso powder
- 2 cunsalted butter
room temp
- 1 ½ cpowdered sugar
- 3 tbspcorn syrup
- 1 tspvanilla extract
- kosher salt
- ¾ cwarm water
- ¾ cdutch process cocoa powder
or unsweetened cocoa powder
- 10 ozdark chocolate chips
melted and cooled slightly, one bag
Directions
Chocolate cake
- 1
Preheat the oven to 350F and prep 3 8″ cake pans. Grease the inside and line the bottom with parchment paper. If you have them, wrap the pans in damp cake strips and set aside.
- 2
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- 3
In a measuring glass, add the milk and stir in the vinegar and vanilla. Set aside.
- 4
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the sugars, oil, and mayo, followed by the eggs and egg yolk.
- 5
Mix in the milk mixture.
- 6
Pour in half of the dry ingredients and whisk to combine.
- 7
Pour in the hot coffee and whisk to combine, followed by the remaining dry ingredients. The batter should be very thin and liquid.
- 8
Evenly distribute the batter between the three pans.
- 9
Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean with a few moist crumbs.
- 10
Allow the cakes to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then run a knife around the edges and turn out onto a cooling rack. Cool the cakes completely before frosting, either at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
Chocolate fudge frosting
- 1
Right when the cakes are done baking, make the frosting.
- 2
Using a hand or stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the butter until smooth.
- 3
Then mix in the powdered sugar, corn syrup, vanilla, and salt.
- 4
In a measuring glass, whisk together the warm water and cocoa powder.
- 5
Pour into the frosting and mix to combine, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
- 6
Then pour in the melted chocolate and mix to fully combine.
- 7
The frosting should now be smooth and glossy but somewhat thin. To thicken, place the bowl in the refrigerator for about 45 minutes.
- 8
Once chilled, give the frosting a good mix by hand using a rubber spatula. If the frosting holds its shape inside the bowl, it’s ready to go.
- 9
Before assembling, make sure the cake layers are completely cooled.
- 10
Level off the top of each cake layer if needed.
- 11
Lay one layer down on a cake turntable and spread a layer of frosting on top. Lay the next cake layer on top, repeating the process.
- 12
Once all the layers are stacked, place the cake in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes to allow those layers to set. Once set, cover the entire outside of the cake with frosting.
- 13
Now slice and enjoy!
Moist Chocolate Cake
Similar Recipes
Ratings & Reviews
Be the First to Rate
Your rating helps others discover amazing recipes. Share your experience and let others know what you think!
About this Recipe
Craving a chocolate cake that's not just good, but truly unforgettable? This moist chocolate cake delivers an experience so fudgy, so rich, and so intensely chocolatey, it’s like a dream come true for any dessert lover. Inspired by the legendary Matilda cake, this recipe ensures every bite is pure bliss.
What makes this recipe stand out is its commitment to ultimate moisture and deep flavor. Featuring three luscious layers, each is smothered in a glossy chocolate fudge frosting that perfectly complements the rich cake beneath. The combination of both granulated and dark brown sugar, alongside unique additions like mayonnaise and hot coffee, works magic to create an unparalleled tender crumb and robust chocolate profile.
Prepare for a truly indulgent dessert that will captivate your senses. You'll experience a cake with an incredibly tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture, enveloped in a smooth, decadent fudge frosting. The deep cocoa notes are balanced by a subtle sweetness, making it intensely satisfying without being overly cloying. This is a cake that tastes as luxurious as it looks, promising a truly memorable chocolate experience with every slice.
Customization & Variations
While this moist chocolate cake is perfect as written, you can easily adapt it. If you don't have fresh hot coffee on hand, you can achieve a similar depth of flavor by using hot water mixed with instant espresso powder. For the frosting, if you prefer, you can swap the Dutch process cocoa powder for regular unsweetened cocoa powder, though Dutch process often provides a darker color and milder chocolate flavor. Experiment with different types of dark chocolate chips in the frosting to fine-tune the chocolate intensity to your preference.
This fudgy chocolate cake is perfect for celebrations, special occasions, or simply when you need a truly comforting and luxurious treat. Serve it as the grand finale to any meal, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a fresh berry compote on the side to cut through the richness.