Best Chocolate Cake Recipe You’ll Ever Make (Super Moist!)

Once you try the best chocolate cake recipe there’s no going back to boxed mix.

If you’re on the hunt for a dessert recipe that’s rich, fudgy, and totally unforgettable, you’ve landed in the right spot.

Moist layers, deep cocoa flavor, and a silky frosting that’s borderline sinful—this cake brings it all together in one seriously indulgent bite.

Whether you’re baking for a birthday, a celebration, or just because it’s Tuesday and chocolate fixes everything, this recipe is a total showstopper.

Want to bake this cake recipe like a pro? Keep scrolling for the full recipe card with all the details!

You’ll start by prepping three 8-inch cake pans — grease, flour, and line them with parchment so nothing sticks.

Then, mix up your butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla until it’s nice and smooth.

In a separate bowl, whisk together all your dry ingredients.

Now here’s the trick to getting that deep chocolatey flavor: mix your cocoa powder with boiling water until it’s rich and lump-free.

You’ll slowly alternate adding the dry mix and cocoa mixture into the wet ingredients.

Once your batter is ready, divide it between the pans and bake until a toothpick comes out clean.

Let the cakes cool completely — seriously, don’t rush this part — then grab your favorite chocolate buttercream recipe.

Stack and frost each layer. If your cake domes a bit, level the tops before stacking so everything sits evenly. Then slice, serve, and watch everyone’s eyes light up.

You can bake the cake layers the day before and frost them the next day—just wrap the cooled cakes in plastic wrap or foil.

What is the secret to moist chocolate cake?

• Using boiling water with cocoa powder – it helps dissolve the cocoa fully and enhances moisture and flavor.
• The right fat – butter adds flavor, but you could also try a mix of butter and oil for extra softness.
• Don’t overmix or overbake – mix just until combined and bake until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs (not completely dry).
• Room temperature ingredients – they blend better, giving you a smoother, more even batter.
• Wrap and rest – once cooled, wrapping cake layers and letting them sit overnight can actually make them even more moist the next day!

How to Decorate a Chocolate Cake 

Decorating can be as simple or as fancy as you like—but the goal is to make it look as good as it tastes!

• Classic Swirls: Use a spatula or piping bag to swirl chocolate buttercream across the top and sides. Imperfect swirls give it that cozy, homemade look!
• Chocolate Shavings or Curls: Use a vegetable peeler to shave a chocolate bar and sprinkle the curls on top for an elegant touch.
• Fresh Berries: Add raspberries, strawberries, or blackberries around the edges or in the center for color and a burst of tartness.
• Dusting of Cocoa or Powdered Sugar: Lightly dust the top with unsweetened cocoa or powdered sugar using a fine sieve—super easy and pretty.
• Ganache Drip: Pour a silky chocolate ganache over the top and let it drip slightly down the sides for that bakery-style finish.
• Sprinkles or Chocolate Chips: For a fun, festive vibe, go wild with colorful sprinkles or mini chips.

120 Pieces Precut Circle Cake Pan Liners Round Parchment Paper Non-stick Parchment Paper with Lift Tabs for Baking (Brown)E-far 8 Inch Cake Pan Set of 3, Stainless Steel Round Layer Cake Baking Pans, Non-Toxic & Healthy, Mirror Finish & Dishwasher SafePiping Bags and Tips Set, Cakes Decorating Supplies Kit with 100pcs 12 Inch Pastry Bags, 16 Piping Tips, 3 Cake Scraper, 2 Couplers, 2 Bag Ties, Simple and Convenient Baking Supplies Set4 Packs Offset Spatula, Stainless Steel Cake Icing Spatula Set 4” 6” 8” 10”with Wooden Handle and 3 Packs Cake Smoother Scraper Set for Cake Decorating, Baking (Angled)Cake Decorating Kit,137pcs Cake Decorating Supplies with Cake Turntable for Decorating,Pastry Piping Bag,Russian Piping Tips Baking Tools, Cake Baking Supplies for Beginners(Green-ne)

Baking eBook BundleBaking Troubleshooting Guide

Baking Troubleshooting Guide

If you’re loving this recipe, don’t miss these other fun and delicious chocolate cake ideas!

• Learn How to Make a Chocolate Cake from a White Cake Mix with just a few easy additions.
• This slow cooker chocolate cake is unbelievably gooey and perfect for a hands-off dessert night.
• Skip the bakery and learn how to make soft, chocolate cake donuts right at home.
• Packed with peanut butter and chocolate, this Reese’s Peanut Butter Chocolate cake is a must for candy lovers.

The Best Chocolate Cake Recipe

Looking for the best chocolate cake recipe? This one never fails!

Print Pin Rate

Course: desserts

Cuisine: American

Keyword: best chocolate cake recipe, chocolate cake

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 28 minutes minutes

Additional Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 13 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 servings

Author: momma lew

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
• 2½ cup granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs room temperature
• 2 tsp real vanilla extract
• 3 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2¼ cup boiling water

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F. 
• Grease and flour 3 8” round cake pans, then line bottom with round parchment paper. Set aside.
• Cream the butter and sugars in a large mixing bowl.
• Add in the eggs and vanilla and mix until well blended.
• In a separate large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• Mix the cocoa powder and boiling water in a medium bowl until well combined and no lumps remain.
• Alternating between the two, slowly add dry ingredients and chocolate mixture to the bowl with the butter and sugar.
• Mix on low speed to incorporate ingredients.
• Divide the cake batter evenly between the three cake pans and place in the pre-heated oven.
• Bake 22-28 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
• Remove from oven and set aside to cool for approximately 10 minutes before transferring the cakes from the pans to a wire rack to cool completely, approximately 10-15 more minutes.
• Cakes should no longer be warm to the touch before frosting.
• Make the buttercream. To assemble the cake, place the first layer top-side down on a cake plate.
• Add 1/3 of the frosting to the top of the cake layer and spread it out evenly.
• Take the second layer and level off the rounded top with a knife or cake leveler. Place the second layer on top of the first layer, top-side down.
• Add frosting to this layer and spread out evenly.
• Repeat this with the 3rd layer, and spread the remaining frosting out on the top layer.
• Slice and serve your chocolate cake immediately.

Notes

To store chocolate cake, keep it covered at room temperature for up to 3 days if it’s frosted with buttercream or unfrosted. For longer storage, refrigerate it tightly covered for up to a week. You can also freeze it (wrapped well) for up to 3 months—just thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.