Chocolate Cake: 20 Step-by-Step Homemade Recipes

Source: New Africa, AdobeStock

What could be more delicious than a homemade chocolate cake? We've gathered a selection of the tastiest, yet simple and accessible recipes for all occasions. Who said you need a special reason for such a small everyday joy? The longest and most difficult part is waiting for the cake layers to cool and the finished cake to soak.

1. Chocolate Cake with Buttercream and Chocolate Glaze

Source: Yulia Zubkova

An incredibly easy cake recipe that even beginner cooks can handle.

Preparation time: 3 hours 20 minutes.
Servings: 8.

• For the cake layers
• 230 g flour
• 200 g sugar
• 4 eggs
• 160 ml milk
• 80 g butter
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 0.5 tsp baking soda
• For the cream
• 500 ml 33% cream
• 150 g powdered sugar
• For the glaze
• 150 g dark chocolate
• 100 ml 20% cream
• 2 tbsp butter

1. Beat eggs with sugar for several minutes until fluffy.

Source: Yulia Zubkova

2. Heat milk with butter until the butter dissolves, then let it cool slightly. Pour into the egg mixture and stir.

Source: Yulia Zubkova

3. Gradually add the sifted flour with baking soda and cocoa.

Source: Yulia Zubkova

4. Pour the batter into a baking pan and bake the sponge cake in the oven for 50-55 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius.

Source: Yulia Zubkova

5. Let the sponge cake cool completely, wrap it in cling film, and refrigerate for a couple of hours. Then cut it into three layers.

Source: Yulia Zubkova

6. Whip the cream with powdered sugar until stiff peaks form and assemble the cake, spreading the cream between the layers.

Source: Yulia Zubkova

7. Melt the chocolate with cream over low heat, add butter, and stir the glaze. Let it cool to room temperature, pour the chocolate glaze over the cake, and wait until it is well soaked.

Source: Yulia Zubkova

2. Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese and Cherry

Source: mobillegends.net

Be sure to take the frozen cherries out in advance so they can thaw.

Preparation time: 2 hours 20 minutes.
Servings: 8.

• For the cake layers
• 100 g butter
• 100 g dark chocolate
• 3 eggs
• 80 g brown sugar
• 30 g cocoa powder
• 40 g almond flour
• 1 pinch baking soda
• For the cream
• 250 g cherries
• 250 g cream cheese
• 200 g milk chocolate
• 100 g dark chocolate
• 150 ml 33% cream

1. Beat eggs with sugar until fluffy. Melt the chocolate for the cake layers with butter over low heat and stir. Separately, mix all dry ingredients.
2. Add the chocolate mixture to the egg mixture, then add the flour mixture. Gently stir everything with a whisk.
3. Divide the batter into three parts and bake three cake layers in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 15-20 minutes. Let them cool, or even better, leave them in the refrigerator overnight.
4. Drain the cherry juice and soak the cake layers with it.
5. Melt the cream and both types of chocolate over low heat, and stir until smooth. Cool to room temperature and mix with cream cheese using a mixer until smooth.
6. Spread cream on a cake layer, arrange cherries, cover with the second layer, and repeat. Cover the chocolate cake with the remaining cream and decorate to your taste.

3. Quick Chocolate Cake

Source: mobillegends.net

The advantage of this recipe is that the cake layers don't need to rest.

Preparation time: 2 hours.
Servings: 8.

• For the cake layers
• 2 cups flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 200 g butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• For the cream
• 300 g dark chocolate
• 150 g butter

1. Mix the dry sifted ingredients for the cake layers.
2. Separately, mix melted butter and one cup of water, and bring to a boil. Pour into the dry mixture and beat everything with a mixer on low speed.
3. While continuing to beat, add eggs one by one. Then add sour cream and vanilla.
4. Divide the batter in half and bake two cake layers for 35-45 minutes in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius. Let them cool slightly.
5. Melt the chocolate for the cream using any convenient method and beat it with soft butter using a mixer.
6. Spread cream on one cake layer, cover with the second layer, and cover the entire cake from the outside. Let it soak overnight in the refrigerator.

4. Chocolate Cake on Kefir with Cottage Cheese Cream

Source: mobillegends.net

A very simple and not too sweet chocolate cake for tea.

Preparation time: 2 hours 30 minutes.
Servings: 8.

• For the cake layers
• 1 cup kefir
• 1 cup flour
• 2 eggs
• 150 g sugar
• 3 tbsp cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 pinch salt
• 10 g baking powder
• For the cream
• 350 g cottage cheese
• 350 g 20% sour cream
• 120 g sugar
• 30 g vanilla sugar

1. Beat eggs with salt and sugar, then add kefir and oil. Mix the sifted dry ingredients and add them to the mixture.
2. Stir the batter, pour into a pan, and bake for 40-45 minutes in the oven at 160 degrees Celsius.
3. Let the cake layer cool on a wire rack and cut it into several pieces.
4. Whip the cream ingredients in a blender until fluffy and smooth, spread on the cake layers, and assemble the chocolate cake.

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5. Lenten Chocolate Cake

Source: pinterest.nz

Even during Lent, you can treat yourself to your favorite cake!

Preparation time: 3 hours 20 minutes.
Servings: 8.

• For the cake layers
• 250 g flour
• 200 g sugar
• 120 g vegetable oil
• 30 g cocoa powder
• 1.5 tbsp instant coffee
• 250 ml water
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• For the cream
• 250 g dark chocolate
• 200 ml coconut cream
• For the soaking syrup
• 75 ml water
• 50 g sugar

1. For the cream, melt chocolate in coconut cream over low heat, stir everything, and leave for a couple of hours covered with cling film.
2. Brew coffee in hot water.
3. Mix all dry ingredients for the cake layers. Pour in vinegar, oil, and the water with coffee. Stir the batter, divide in half, and bake the cake layers for 30-35 minutes in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius. Let them cool on a wire rack and cut each into two more layers.
4. Whip the cold chocolate cream with a blender.
5. Separately, boil water with sugar until it dissolves for the soaking syrup, and soak the cake layers.
6. Spread cream on the cake layers and assemble the cake.

6. Healthy Chocolate Cake

Source: adonius.club

A quite diet-friendly chocolate cake with several types of flour.

Preparation time: 3 hours.
Servings: 4.

• For the cake layers
• 4 eggs
• 30 g rice flour
• 10 g almond flour
• 10 g sweetener
• 15 g cocoa powder
• 3 g baking powder
• 1 pinch salt
• For the cream
• 170 g cottage cheese
• 80 g cream cheese
• 2 tbsp sour cream
• 1 tsp sweetener
• 10 g chocolate chips
• For the soaking syrup
• 50 ml milk
• 2 pinches cocoa powder
• For the glaze
• 80 g sour cream
• 10 g cocoa powder
• 1 tsp sweetener

1. Separate egg whites from yolks. Beat yolks with sweetener. Add all the flour, cocoa, and baking powder, and stir. Separately, beat egg whites with salt until stiff peaks form, and gently fold into the batter with a spatula.
2. Pour everything into a pan, bake for 40 minutes in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius, let the sponge cake cool on a wire rack, and cut into two layers.
3. Heat milk for the soaking syrup almost to boiling, mix with cocoa, and soak the cake layers.
4. Whip all ingredients for the cream in a blender, spread on the cake layers, and assemble the chocolate cake.
5. Mix ingredients for the glaze, bring to a boil over low heat, cool, and cover the cake with it.

7. Chocolate Cake in a Frying Pan

Source: пицца-бест.рф

Here's an original chocolate cake recipe in case you don't have an oven.

Preparation time: 1 hour.
Servings: 6.

• For the cake layers
• 260 g flour
• 160 g sugar
• 130 ml milk
• 2 eggs
• 15 g cocoa powder
• 15 g vanilla sugar
• 10 g baking powder
• 0.5 tsp baking soda
• 150 ml boiling water
• 50 ml vegetable oil
• For the cream
• 500 g 20% sour cream
• 150 g powdered sugar

1. Mix all dry ingredients for the batter. Add eggs, milk, and oil, and stir. Then add boiling water, and quickly stir again.
2. This mixture will make 5 cake layers. Fry them over medium heat in a lightly oiled frying pan for 4-5 minutes per side, covered.
3. Whip sour cream with powdered sugar until fluffy, spread on the cake layers, and assemble the cake.

8. Chocolate Cake in a Multicooker

Source: klublady.ru

Minimum preparation – maximum pleasure!

Preparation time: 1 hour 40 minutes.
Servings: 8.

• For the cake layers
• 2 cups flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup boiling water
• 6 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1.5 tsp baking powder
• 1.5 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• For the cream
• 300 ml 35% cream
• 100-150 g powdered sugar

1. Mix the dry ingredients for the cake layers. Beat eggs until foamy, add oil and milk to them, and stir. Mix both of these mixtures.
2. Pour in boiling water, stir the batter, and pour it into an oiled multicooker bowl.
3. Bake the sponge cake for 1 hour in "Bake" mode, let it cool slightly, and cut into layers.
4. Whip cream with powdered sugar until fluffy and assemble the chocolate cake, spreading cream between the layers.

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9. No-Bake Chocolate Cake

Source: aroma-avenue.ru

This unusual cake is made with store-bought cookies.

Preparation time: 40 minutes.
Servings: 8.

• 800 g cookies
• 150 g roasted walnuts
• 150 g butter
• 150 g sugar
• 120 g 33% cream
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 60 g cocoa powder
• 150 ml water
• 120 g chocolate

1. Put butter, sugar, water, and cocoa in a saucepan, and cook everything over medium heat until smooth and thickened.
2. Break the cookies and chop the walnuts. Mix all of this with the hot chocolate syrup and transfer the cake to a pan.
3. Melt chocolate in heavy cream, stir until smooth, pour over the cake, and refrigerate overnight.

10. Chocolate Cake with Bananas

Source: кафе-сакура.рф

A very harmonious combination of flavors and textures.

Preparation time: 2 hours 20 minutes.
Servings: 8.

• For the cake layers
• 220 g flour
• 200 g sugar
• 100 ml milk
• 2 eggs
• 90 g butter
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 pinch vanilla
• For the cream
• 500 g 25% sour cream
• 2 bananas
• 5 tbsp sugar

1. Beat eggs with both types of sugar using a mixer. Add milk and melted butter, then add the dry ingredients.
2. Stir the batter, pour into a pan, and bake the cake layer in the oven for about 40 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius. Let it cool and cut lengthwise into three parts.
3. Whip sour cream with sugar until fluffy and slice the bananas into rounds.
4. Assemble the chocolate cake as follows: cake layer, cream, bananas, cake layer, cream, bananas, cake layer, and cream. Let the cake soak well in the refrigerator.

11. Chocolate Cake with Coconut Filling

Source: mykaleidoscope.ru

A delicious chocolate cake for lovers of coconut desserts.

Preparation time: 3 hours.
Servings: 8.

• For the cake layers
• 100 g flour
• 4 eggs
• 100 g sugar
• 20 g cocoa powder
• 1 pinch salt
• For the cream
• 1 cup milk
• 150 g coconut flakes
• 100 g butter
• 100 g sugar
• For the soaking syrup
• 130 ml 33% cream
• For the glaze
• 120 g dark chocolate
• 70 ml milk

1. Separate yolks from whites. Beat yolks with half the sugar until pale, and whites with the other half of the sugar until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whites into the yolks with a spatula.
2. Add the sifted dry ingredients and gently fold them in as well. Pour the batter into a pan and bake the sponge cake in the oven for 35-40 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius. Let it cool completely and cut in half. Soak the cake layers with cream.
3. For the filling, melt butter in milk, add sugar, and cook until dissolved. Add coconut flakes, and cook for another 7 minutes until thickened. Spread the cream on one cake layer and cover with the second layer.
4. Melt chocolate in milk over low heat and pour the glaze over the cake.

12. Moist Chocolate Cake

Source: kartinkin.net

The ingredients for this cake are probably always in your fridge!

Preparation time: 1 hour.
Servings: 6.

• 1.5 cups flour
• 200 g sugar
• 200 ml water
• 50 ml vegetable oil
• 4 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tsp instant coffee
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp vinegar
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 pinch vanilla

1. Mix warm water, vegetable oil, coffee, and sugar. Separately, mix flour, cocoa, vanilla, and salt.
2. Combine both mixtures, quench baking soda with vinegar, and add it to the mixture.
3. Pour the batter into a pan, and bake the chocolate cake in the oven for 40-45 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius.
4. Let it cool directly in the pan.

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13. Chocolate Cake with Nuts in Glaze

Source: mykaleidoscope.ru

The recipe uses walnuts, but you can try different ones.

Preparation time: 2 hours.
Servings: 8.

• For the cake layers
• 250 g ground walnuts
• 250 g butter
• 100 g brown sugar
• 50 g flour
• 5 eggs
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 pinch salt
• For the soaking syrup
• 150 g orange or cherry jam
• For the glaze
• 150 g chocolate
• 125 g butter
• 2 tbsp 33% cream

1. Beat butter with sugar and vanilla using a mixer. Add egg yolks and beat again.
2. Separately, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form and gently fold into the batter with a spatula. Combine the sifted dry ingredients and fold them in as well.
3. Pour the batter into a pan, and bake the cake layer for about 50 minutes in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius. Let it cool slightly, cut in half, and spread with jam.
4. Melt chocolate in a double boiler, add soft butter and cream, stir everything thoroughly, and spread the chocolate glaze over the cake.

14. Chocolate Cake with Orange Cream

Source: kartinkin.net

This chocolate cake will beautifully adorn any festive table!

Preparation time: 1 hour 20 minutes.
Servings: 8.

• For the cake layers
• 130 g flour
• 150 g sugar
• 100 g butter
• 100 g chocolate
• 2 eggs
• 50 ml cream
• 20 g cocoa powder
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 1 tsp baking powder
• For the cream
• 150 ml orange juice
• 50 g butter
• 70 g sugar
• 2 tsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp orange zest
• 2 egg yolks

1. Whisk all ingredients for the cream, except butter, with a whisk. Bring to a boil and cook for a couple of minutes until thickened, stirring constantly. Add butter, stir, let the cream cool, and whip it with a mixer.
2. Melt chocolate with butter and cream, cook until smooth, and let this mixture cool. Add zest.
3. Beat eggs and add to the chocolate mixture. Gradually add all dry ingredients and stir the batter.
4. Pour the batter into a pan, bake the cake layer for about 35 minutes in the oven at 170 degrees Celsius, and let it cool.
5. Cut the cake layer in half, spread the cake with cream, and decorate to your taste.

15. Chocolate Cake with Tea and Honey

Source: kartinkin.net

A wonderful chocolate cake recipe for those who don't like to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

Preparation time: 1 hour.
Servings: 8.

• For the cake layers
• 2 cups flour
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup strong tea
• 50 ml vegetable oil
• 4 tbsp cocoa powder
• 4 tbsp honey
• 1.5 tsp baking powder
• For the cream
• 400 ml berry yogurt

1. Mix sifted flour, cocoa, and baking powder. Dissolve honey in tea and lightly beat eggs. Mix everything together until smooth.
2. Pour the batter into a pan, bake the cake layer for 40 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius, let it cool on a wire rack, and cut into thin layers.
3. Spread yogurt on the cake layers and assemble the chocolate cake.

16. Chocolate Cake with Lemon Zest

Source: fotostrana.ru

Another winning and simple recipe for your collection!

Preparation time: 2 hours.
Servings: 8.

• For the cake layers
• 250 g flour
• 300 g sugar
• 300 ml milk
• 60 g butter
• 50 g cocoa powder
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• 1.5 tsp baking soda
• 1 pinch vanilla
• For the cream
• 300 g 25% sour cream
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 3 tbsp sugar

1. Mix the dry ingredients for the batter and add the zest.
2. Then add the remaining ingredients and mix everything thoroughly with a mixer.
3. Pour the batter into a pan, and bake for an hour in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius. Cool and cut the sponge cake.
4. Whip the ingredients for the cream with a mixer, and assemble the cake, spreading it on all sides.

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17. Chocolate Cake with Condensed Milk

Source: aroma-avenue.ru

Both regular and boiled condensed milk will work – to your taste.

Preparation time: 1 hour.
Servings: 6.

• For the cake layers
• 350 ml condensed milk
• 130 g flour
• 2 eggs
• 25 g cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• For the cream
• 500 ml milk
• 1 egg
• 70 g flour
• 25 g cocoa powder

1. Beat eggs until fluffy, and add condensed milk, baking soda, and cocoa. Add flour, stir the batter, pour into a pan, and bake in the oven for half an hour at 180 degrees Celsius. Let the cake layer cool and cut into two.
2. Beat egg for the cream with sugar. Add milk, stir, and add flour with cocoa.
3. Whisk everything and cook over low heat until thickened, stirring constantly.
4. Let the cream cool, spread on the cake layers, and assemble the cake.

18. Chocolate Cake with Cherries in a Multicooker

Source: maxvps.ru

Instead of cherries, you can also use any other berry you like.

Preparation time: 1 hour 20 minutes.
Servings: 8.

• 2.5-3 cups flour
• 400 g cherries
• 2 eggs
• 100 g sugar
• 100 g butter
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 3 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 pinch salt

1. Beat eggs with sugar and melted butter. Add sifted flour with salt and baking powder. Also add cocoa and honey.
2. Mix cherries with cornstarch and leave for about 5 minutes.
3. Pour the batter into an oiled multicooker bowl. Arrange cherries on top and set to "Bake" mode for 1 hour.

19. Chocolate Cake in the Microwave in 10 Minutes

Source: ohotamyasa.ru

If guests are already at the door, this chocolate cake recipe will definitely be your savior.

Preparation time: 10 minutes.
Servings: 2.

• For the cake layers
• 110 g flour
• 40 g cocoa powder
• 70 g sugar
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 70 ml vegetable oil
• 225 ml boiling water
• For the glaze
• 130 g powdered sugar
• 25 g cocoa powder
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 pinch salt
• 40 ml boiling water

1. Mix all dry ingredients for the batter, add vegetable oil, pour in boiling water, and quickly stir.
2. Pour everything into a suitable oiled pan. Microwave for 3 minutes at maximum power.
3. Mix all ingredients for the glaze until smooth and spread it over the finished cake layer.

20. Chocolate Cake with Prunes

Source: chocoladstvo.ru

This cake also has no butter – only advantages!

Preparation time: 2 hours.
Servings: 6.

• For the cake layers
• 100 g dark chocolate
• 70 g flour
• 150 g sugar
• 200 g prunes
• 4 egg whites
• 50 g cocoa powder
• 150 ml boiling water
• 60 ml cognac or rum
• For the cream
• 250 ml milk
• 100 g dark chocolate
• 40 g sugar
• 20 g butter
• 2 egg yolks
• 1.5 tbsp cornstarch

1. For the cream, rub yolks with sugar and cornstarch. Boil milk and pour it in a thin stream into the yolks, stirring constantly.
2. Strain the mixture through a sieve, bring to a boil, and cook for a couple of minutes.
3. Melt chocolate in a double boiler, add to the cream, stir, and cool the cream over ice.
4. Pour cognac over the prunes.
5. Chop chocolate for the batter in a blender and mix with cocoa and half the sugar. Pour in boiling water and stir until smooth.
6. Beat egg whites with the remaining sugar until stiff peaks form. Gently fold flour into the whites. Then gently fold the resulting mixture into the chocolate.
7. Pour half the batter into a pan, arrange prunes, and pour the remaining batter over them. Bake the sponge cake in the oven at 190 degrees Celsius for about 35 minutes and let it cool in the pan.
8. Thoroughly spread the sponge cake with cream and decorate with whatever you like – berries, nuts, coconut flakes.