There's a reason the Hershey Chocolate Cake recipe has been the best chocolate cake recipe for decades! It's soft, moist, and has the perfect chocolate flavor, and don't even get me started on that homemade chocolate frosting! This one of our favorite desserts!
The Only Chocolate Cake Recipe You'll Ever Need.
The Only Chocolate Cake Recipe You'll Ever Need. This is one of the very first recipes I ever shared here on TBFS, back in 2010. I've made it hundreds of times, and my kids now make it on their own, too. Thank you Hershey's! Some changes I've made to improve the original recipe are using hot coffee, instead of water (to boost the rich flavor) and adding buttermilk instead of plain milk (for a more tender and moist cake).
I recommend freezing the baked cake rounds ahead of time, and then frosting them right out of the freezer, for super easy prep. Once you see how easy homemade chocolate cake is, you'll never buy a box mix again.
Don't miss all of my cake recipes, including Yellow Cake, Carrot Cake, Biscoff Cake, or Flourless Chocolate Cake.
How to make Chocolate Cake:
Make Cake Batter: Combine sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla then mix. While stirring, slowly pour in the boiling water or hot coffee, mixing to incorporate (the batter will be thin).
Bake: Carefully pour cake batter into prepared pans and bake at 350°F(180°C) for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cakes cool in the pan for a few minutes then invert onto a cooling rack. Let the cakes cool completely before frosting.
Frosting: mix butter and cocoa powder then add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Mix for several minutes until it has a smooth and fluffy texture.
Assemble and Frost: Carefully transfer one cake layer to your serving tray. Spread a generous amount of frosting on top then place the second cake layer on top. Use a cake spatula to frost the top and sides of the cake with remaining frosting. Slice and enjoy!
Recipe Variations:
- 9×13 Cake: Spray a 9×13 pan with cooking spray then pour the batter. Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 35-40 minutes. Let cool completely then frost and serve.
- Cupcakes: Place cupcake liners in a muffin pan then fill each one 2/3 of the way full with batter. Bake for 22-25 minutes then let them cool completely before frosting. This recipe makes 24-30 cupcakes.
- Bundt Cake: Grease and flour a 12 cup bundt pan then pour in batter. Bake for 50-55 minutes then let cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Invert on a wire cooling rack and let cool completely before frosting.
- Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 ratio of Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Flour instead.
- Dairy-Free: Instead of cow's milk, use almond milk in the cake and frosting with a 1:1 ratio.
Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions:
To Make Ahead: The cakes and the chocolate frosting can both be made ahead of time. Store frosting in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to two weeks, or in the freezer for up to three months. Let frosting come to room temperature (I also like to re-whip it, with electric beaters), until soft and smooth.
To Freeze: Allow the cakes to cool completely then wrap each layer in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to three months. Fully frosted cake can also be frozen, if covered really well.
More Cake Recipes:
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Recipe
Hershey Chocolate Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
Chocolate Cake:
- 2 cups granulated sugar (400g)
- 1 ¾ cup + 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour (235g)
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (64g)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs , room temperature*
- 1 cup buttermilk* (227g)
- 1/2 cup oil (99g), (vegetable or canola oil)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water (237g), or hot coffee
Chocolate Frosting:
- 1/2 cup melted butter (113g)
- 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (57g)
- 3 cups powdered sugar (360g)
- 1/3 cup milk (83g)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F(180°C). Line two 8 inch round baking pans with parchment paper* and then spray lightly with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Dry Ingredients: Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl.
- Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla and mix until well combined. Stir in boiling water (or hot coffee). Batter will be thin. Pour batter into prepared pans.
- Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.
- Chocolate Frosting: Combine butter and cocoa powder. Add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix for several minutes until smooth and fluffy.
- Assemble: Place one cake layer on serving tray. Spread a generous amount of frosting on top. Add second cake layer. Frost top and sides of cake with remaining frosting. Cut and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
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*I originally shared this recipe June 2010. Updated June 2019, April 2021 and April 2023 and February 2025.
The material in this blog post references the trademarked brand “Hershey’s.” The use of this trademark is for informational and editorial purposes only and does not imply sponsorship or endorsement by The Hershey Company.
This post contains affiliate links.
This is the best chocolate cake and icing I have ever had – my family loved it and keeps asking me to make it again!
This is a keeper! Absolutely delicious, just the right amount of chocolate taste and super easy recipe! Made it for my sister’s birthday and everyone said it was the best chocolate cake they have ever tasted!! WOW!!
A very chocolate chocolate, moist cake. Perfect for chocolate loving friends. I used the frosting recipe but sprinkled Ghirardelli chips on top. No complaints from the seven people indulging, only moans!
Do you use the normal stick in a cake tester or tooth pick and if comes out clean it is done baking?
I use a toothpick–if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs it is most likely done. Also “look” at it and make sure the top doesn’t look shiny or dough and touch it lightly on top to see if it feels springy.
Delicious cake! My family loves it. Do you store the cake in the fridge after making it?
Hiya, I’ve made this cake a numerous amount of times and it is delicious, but what I would like to know is “Is it a good cake to stack? I want to make it as a topsy turvy cake.
Anyone every tried this?
Yes, it works for stacking.
I have a desire to make this cake at my home. It looks delightful and yummy. Thanks a lot for sharing such an amazing recipe.
Very yummy. I used cacao powder because that is what I had on hand. Very moist. I also made 1/2 frosting recipe because I only had that much powdered sugar and I figured that was plenty. It was totally enough for my 9 x 13 pan.
I had some old cake mixes around that I decided to throw away because I didn’t want to risk a flat bday cake and after making a cake from scratch again I don’t know why anybody really buys cake mixes. Lol
I just made this for my mother’s Birthday cake. I topped mine with a coconut pecan topping and it was a hit! I should have baked 2 cakes! I will use this recipe again and again!
Coconut Pecan Topping
Cook and stir for 12 minutes until thick (I doubled this recipe to accommodate a 9×13 pan)
3egg yolks
1cup granulated sugar or packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
1 cup evaporated milk (from 12-oz can)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/3 cups flaked coconut
1 cup chopped pecans
The cake is great but the frosting is too sweet. A cream-cheese-based frosting would be preferable.
i agree the frositing was not my favorite i would prepher a glaze
This cake was perfect. My first truly from scratch cake. The frosting tastes great but I am looking for a recipe for frosting that hardens alittle. It tastes like candy. Any suggestions?
Big thanks for the wonderful recipe. Today I made this cake for third time. First two times, it came out so perfect. Today I followed the video and skipped the oil, Just like the video does. Guess what happened? The outcome was a chewy thin cake. I just wanted to mention it so that nobody make the mistake I made.
Thanks again