Chocolate Cake Recipe
Rich chocolate cake with a gooey center.
Was this page helpful?
Help improve this recipe for others.
Send this recipe to your inbox.
We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.
Ingredients
Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Cake Batter
Gooey Center
Frosting (optional)
Method
Preparing the Cake Batter
- 1
Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- 2
Mix Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk together until well combined.
- 3
- 4
Incorporate Boiling Water
Carefully stir in the boiling water (batter will be thin). Mix until smooth.
Baking the Cake
- 5
Pour Batter into Pans
Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans.
- 6
Bake
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- 7
Cool the Cakes
Remove from the oven and allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Preparing the Gooey Center
- 8
Melt the Chocolate
In a small saucepan, heat the semi-sweet chocolate and heavy cream over low heat, stirring until melted and smooth.
Assembling the Cake
- 9
Layer the Cakes
Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Pour the gooey chocolate mixture over the top, allowing it to seep into the cake.
- 10
Top with Second Layer
Place the second cake layer on top of the first, pressing down gently.
Optional Frosting
- 11
Make the Frosting
In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- 12
Frost the Cake
Spread the frosting over the top and sides of the assembled cake.
