Best-Ever Chocolate Cake

Name: Best-Ever Chocolate Cake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 12-15 servings.
Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour; 2 cups sugar; 6 tablespoons baking cocoa; 2 teaspoons baking soda; 1 teaspoon salt; 2 cups water; 2/3 cup vegetable oil; 2 teaspoons vinegar; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; FLUFFY CHOCOLATE FROSTING:; 1 cup cold whole milk; 1 package (3.9 ounces) instant chocolate pudding mix; 1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed

39 reviews

Test Kitchen Approved

Total Time

Prep: 15 min. Bake: 40 min. + cooling

Makes

12-15 servings

You can't miss with this delightful old-fashioned dessert. It's truly the best ever chocolate cake! It is moist and chocolaty, and its light, fluffy frosting stirs up in a jiffy. Use vanilla pudding instead of chocolate in the frosting if you wish. -Catherine Dawe, Kent, Ohio

Best-Ever Chocolate Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home

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Ingredients

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
6 tablespoons baking cocoa
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups water
2/3 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vinegar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
FLUFFY CHOCOLATE FROSTING:
1 cup cold whole milk
1 package (3.9 ounces) instant chocolate pudding mix
1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions

In a bowl, combine the first five ingredients. Add the water, oil, vinegar and vanilla. Beat on low speed for 1 minute. Beat on medium for 1 minute.
Pour into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.
For frosting, in a bowl, beat the milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes. Beat in whipped topping. Spread over cake. Refrigerate leftovers.

Editor's Note: This cake does not contain eggs.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 365 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 2mg cholesterol, 443mg sodium, 58g carbohydrate (34g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.

Reviews

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Average Rating:

DELLQ
Apr 27, 2020
This a great chocolate cake! When I made this for my coworkers they couldn't get enough!
ebramkamp
Aug 31, 2019
This cake is delicious. The frosting has a mousse like texture. I doubled the frosting recipe as I made cupcakes and wanted plenty for piping.
Bart
Mar 8, 2018
This Sadiesuper is on drugs. I got this recipe from my first mother in law. As you can see there are no eggs. My father in law was allergic to eggs. To think this person thinks a box mix is better. Anyway we called this the Never Fail Chocolate Cake. The only difference is my recipe calls for 2 Tablespoons of vinegar and I cut the chocolate to 5 Tablespoons doesn't seem to make a difference to me and it saves chocolate.
ehadlington
Nov 10, 2017
No comment left
sadiesuper
Jul 13, 2017
I bake a lot and did not like this recipe. I found it dense and not much flavor. Sadly a cake mix is better
2124arizona
Jul 2, 2017
This cake turns out perfect every time!! We love the chocolate taste!! We will fix this again and again!!
mrkcook
Jun 2, 2017
This cake was FANTASTIC! I made it in two round pans baked for 30 minutes. I layered the cakes and frosting and was skeptical if it would stay together -- it did! It was just the perfect moistness and choc flavor. I like to make something a little extra special for my kids' birthdays and this one fit the bill!
deelyon
Apr 9, 2016
This as a very moist and delicious cake. The cake is not real sweet which I liked but very "chocolatey" . I made mine in a 10" springform pan this time and it took 55 minutes in my convection oven. I will definitely make this again and again. There is nothing like a scratch cake. If you like light and airy puff and blow cakes, then maybe this isn't for you. It was beautifully heavy...a perfect cake in my opinion. Surprised to see NO EGGS in this cake. SUPER!!!!!
auntiggy
Mar 22, 2014
I made this for my husbands birthday several years ago and every year since!! Now my kids are asking for it for their birthdays!! It is the Best Ever Chocolate Cake!!! So moist and yummy!
amysmess
Mar 7, 2014
Gotta love chocolate and this cake satisfies that craving!