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The Best Ultra Moist Chocolate Cake Recipe (Bakery Style)

Close-up of a slice of moist chocolate cake showing its rich, dark crumb and glossy chocolate frosting.

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Bake this foolproof recipe for an ultra moist chocolate cake with rich, deep cocoa flavor. This homemade layer cake uses simple ingredients and techniques to guarantee a tender crumb every time you bake.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup hot brewed coffee (or hot water)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until combined.
  3. Add the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for two minutes.
  4. Carefully pour the hot coffee (or hot water) into the batter and mix on low speed until just combined. The batter will be thin.
  5. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
  6. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  7. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
  8. Frost with your favorite rich chocolate buttercream once fully cooled.

Notes

  • Using hot coffee deepens the chocolate flavor without making the cake taste like coffee. This is key for a bakery style result.
  • Do not overmix the batter once the liquid is added; this keeps the crumb tender.
  • Buttermilk reacts with the baking soda to create a very moist texture.

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