Description
A budget-friendly, incredibly moist chocolate cake made with simple pantry staples. It uses oil instead of butter for lasting moisture and hot liquid to bloom the cocoa flavor, resulting in a restaurant-quality dessert for under five dollars.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ¾ cups (220g) All-Purpose Flour
- 1 ½ cups (300g) Granulated Sugar
- ¾ cup (75g) Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons Baking Soda
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 2 large Eggs, room temperature
- ½ cup (120ml) Vegetable Oil
- 1 cup (240ml) Milk
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
- 1 cup (240ml) Hot Water or Hot Coffee
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch round cake pans and dust with flour, or line bottoms with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt for about one minute to ensure even distribution.
- Add eggs, vegetable oil, milk, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Beat on medium speed for about two minutes until the batter is smooth and thick.
- Carefully pour in the hot water or hot coffee. Stir gently by hand until just combined. The batter will be thin; do not overmix.
- Pour batter evenly into prepared pans. Bake on the center rack for 30 to 35 minutes. Do not open the oven door before 25 minutes.
- Test for doneness by inserting a wooden toothpick into the center; it should come out with a few moist crumbs attached.
- Remove pans from oven and let cool in the pan for 10 minutes.
- Run a knife around the edges and invert cakes onto a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.
Notes
Room temperature eggs emulsify better. Hot water or coffee ‘blooms’ the cocoa for deeper flavor. Do not overmix after adding hot liquid to prevent toughness. Cake stays moist for up to three days due to oil content. Can be frozen unfrosted for up to three months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 250300
- Sugar: 28
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 4
Keywords: budget cake, chocolate cake, moist chocolate cake, cheap dessert, easy baking, pantry staples, vegetarian dessert