53 answers

Moist Chocolate Cake Recipe

I am writing this out of desperation. I have been asked to bring a chocolate cake to Christmas Dinner this year. My chocolate cakes always seem to come out a little dry. I was wondering if anyone had a recipe for a good, moist chocolate cake. I don't want to disappoint for such an important meal.

7 moms found this helpful

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Wow. I have had so many responses and so many great ideas and recipes that I don't know where to start. Thank you everyone for you suggestions and recipes. I can't wait to start baking, and my family is looking forward to taste testing!

Featured Answers

Hi, C.! I have found the chocolate cake and frosting recipe on the back of the Hershey's cocoa can to be a real hit--and it's easy! It's my "go-to" chocolate cake recipe, and it has come through without fail! I've also had success with this receipe from allrecipes.com if you prefer to use a mix. It's very sinful, but ridiculously moist. I have been asked for the recipe every time I've made it:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chocolate-Lovers-Favorite-Ca...

Good luck!

K.

1 mom found this helpful

I didn't read through all the responses you received, so someone may have already suggested, as I do, that you either pick up or order a chocolate cake at Safeway. They have the moistest chocolate cakes ever - they brag about it on the label even, and every time I have brought a Safeway cake to an event, people have raved about it. They are also very reasonably priced. They have a variety of pre-made cakes available, but you could order ahead of time and tell them exactly what size and shape you want it to be. Delicious!

Ok I use Duncan Hines, using milk instead of water, and take it out of the oven when it pulls away just a little bit before you think it should come out.

More Answers

Hi C.,
I have the best moist chocolate cake recipe ever. You can find it on the website called http://www.kitchenlink.com/ch/2002/january/chocolatecake
The name of the recipe is "Ever-So-Moist Chocolate Cake with chocolate Sour Cream Frosting", by Chocolate from the cake mix doctor by Anne Byrn. If the address doesn't pull up the recipe, just remember you have to type in all of the title to locate the recipe in the search engine. If you have any problems please email me back and I will type the recipe out for you. I have a four month old so it is hard to do it right now.
Happy holidays and enjoy this cake it is to die for.
Sincerely, K. W.

2 moms found this helpful

My family's favorite is the "Hershey's Perfectly Chocolate Cake" on the back of the Hershey's Cocoa canister. In fact I made it just last night for my son's bday. It is easy,delicious and moist. I take it out of the oven just a couple minutes early than directed which makes it even more yumilicious!! The canister also has the homemade frosting recipe which makes for the BEST frosting. Whenever I take this to public events I get rave reviews and get comments like "That looks like a Martha Stewart cake!"

Good luck with your chocolate cake!
Happy Baking!

1 mom found this helpful

Chocolate Velvet Cake Batter
From Southern Living

The addition of hot water at the end of this recipe makes for an exceptionally moist cake.
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate morsels (I use whole bag dark choc chips)
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 (16-ounce) package light brown sugar
3 large eggs (I used 2 eggs last time -- nice and dense)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 (8-ounce) container sour cream
1 cup hot water (or coffee)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Melt semisweet chocolate morsels in a microwave-safe bowl at HIGH for 30-second intervals until melted (about 1 1/2 minutes total time). Stir until smooth.
Beat butter and brown sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer, beating about 5 minutes or until well blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition. Add melted chocolate, beating just until blended.
Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add to chocolate mixture alternately with sour cream, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended after each addition. Gradually add 1 cup hot water in a slow, steady stream, beating at low speed just until blended. Stir in vanilla. Use immediately, following directions for desired cake. Yield: Makes about 8 1/2 cups
Southern Living, DECEMBER 2003

Chocolate Velvet "Pound" Cake

Ice cream and warm Chocolate Ganache are also nice accompaniments for this cake. Chocolate Velvet Cake Batter
1/4 cup powdered sugar
Spoon batter evenly into a greased and floured 10-inch tube pan. Bake at 350° for 55 to 65 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack 10 minutes. Remove from pan, and let cool completely on wire rack.
Sift powdered sugar over top of cake. Yield: Makes 12 to 16 servings

(I prefer the ganache frosting over the powdered sugar)Ganache Frosting: 2/3 c. whipping cream to a boil (1.5 min. micro?) + 1 bag dark choc chips. Blend in magic bullet for 5 sec. or so till glossy.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi, C.! I have found the chocolate cake and frosting recipe on the back of the Hershey's cocoa can to be a real hit--and it's easy! It's my "go-to" chocolate cake recipe, and it has come through without fail! I've also had success with this receipe from allrecipes.com if you prefer to use a mix. It's very sinful, but ridiculously moist. I have been asked for the recipe every time I've made it:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Chocolate-Lovers-Favorite-Ca...

Good luck!

K.

1 mom found this helpful

I just add EXTRA oil to a cake mix, for example if the mix asks for 1/2 c I add 3/4- 1 full c . Since sour cream is high in fat, and so is mayo, these all pretty much do the same thing. Be careful unloading and frosting these moist cakes, they will crumble more easily than a more firm cake.

The reason for the wet strips that vicky suggested is that they keep the cake baking evenly on the top without "doming" and they help keep the cake from forming that hard crusty edge. I beleive Wilton makes these silver baking strips and they are sold at places like Micheal's Craft store or bakery supply outlets. Baking a little longer at 25 degrees lower temp also helps with doming.

I Usually set my timer for 5-8 minutes under the time suggested, and keep checking until the cake is "just" done by checking the center for when it is set. A really moist cake might pull up a crumb or two on the toothpick but it wont pull up a blob like when its not done. Overbaking makes a more firm cake and forms more of those crusty hard edges.

1 mom found this helpful

This may be a bit unorthodox, but it is ALWAYS a hit -- everyone loves it -- Kahlua cake (the kahlua liquor mostly bakes off, so kids can eat it too, and it is SO rich and moist, only a thin slice fills one up). And it is so easy, its almost embarrassing: Preheat oven to 350. Mix together 1 box devil's food cake mix, 4 eggs, 1 C. kahlua, 1 C. sour cream, 3/4 C. veg oil - beat for 5 minutes continuously (very important to get the eggs, etc. to the right point for rising well). Add 10-12 oz choc chips and mix in by hand. Prepare bundt cake pan -- grease with butter and flour well, otherwise will stick. Bake at 350 for 55-60 min., ck to see if knife comes out clean (allowing for melted choc chips), bake 5 min. more if necessary. Cool 5 min. (upside down if have a bottle to put bundt pan on). Loosen sides and middle all the way around carefully with knife, and remove cake while still warm. Sprinkle powdered sugar liberally on top (with flour sifter works very nicely). Serve in thin 1/2 inch slices.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi C.,
Buy a can of hersheys cocoa and on the back is a recipie for hersheys perfectly perfect chocolate cake it's moist and tasty. I am making one today for an order for a catering co that I supply desserts to and always use this recipie. It's easy....Good Luck!

Prep Time: 15 min | Cook Time: 30 min
Skill Level: Beginner
Ingredients:2 cups sugar
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water
"PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE" CHOCOLATE FROSTING(recipe follows)

Directions:1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.

2. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pans.

3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost with "PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE" CHOCOLATE FROSTING. 10 to 12 servings.

VARIATIONS:
ONE-PAN CAKE: Grease and flour 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Heat oven to 350° F. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely. Frost.

THREE LAYER CAKE: Grease and flour three 8-inch round baking pans. Heat oven to 350°F. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost.

BUNDT CAKE: Grease and flour 12-cup Bundt pan. Heat oven to 350°F. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 50 to 55 minutes. Cool 15 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack. Cool completely. Frost.

CUPCAKES: Line muffin cups (2-1/2 inches in diameter) with paper bake cups. Heat oven to 350°F. Fill cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake 22 to 25 minutes. Cool completely. Frost. About 30 cupcakes.

"PERFECTLY CHOCOLATE" CHOCOLATE FROSTING

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine
2/3 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Melt butter. Stir in cocoa. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency. Add small amount additional milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla. About 2 cups frosting.

1 mom found this helpful

omg! I made my favorite chocolate cake twice in the past two weeks by request! It is a super moist cake that is always very well received. I fill it with a cream cheese pudding layer and top it with a chocolate ganache. It has a very easy one bowl prep. Here is the recipe for the cake and the chocolate ganache.
Cake
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup water
2/3 cup cooking oil
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. sale
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9 x 1 1/2 inch round baking pans; set aside.

In an extra large bowl combine buttermilk, water, oil, sugar, eggs, baking soda and salt. Using a large wire whisk, whisk until well combined. Add flour and cocoa powder; whisk vigorously until smooth. Divide batter between prepared pans.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until top springs back when lightly touched in center. Cool in pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pans and cool completely.

Chocolate Ganache
1/4 cup whipping cream
4 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped

In a saucepan bring whipping cream just to boiling over medium high heat. Remove from heat. Add chocolate (do not stir). Let stand 5 minutes. Stir until smooth. cool 15 minutes or until slightly thickened. Pour over cake, allowing glaze to drip down sides. Chill until set, about 30 minutes. Top with desired toppers like whole berries.

This cake is so easy you can probably make a sample one before Christmas to see if you like it, which I'm sure you will! Enjoy!

1 mom found this helpful

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