Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup mayonnaise (classic or light)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk or buttermilk
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Your Pan: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your cake pan well with butter or non-stick spray and lightly dust with flour to prevent sticking, or line with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Sifting helps incorporate air and removes lumps, ensuring an even texture.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, beat the eggs lightly, then mix in the sugar, mayonnaise, vanilla extract, and milk or buttermilk until smooth and creamy. The mayonnaise will blend seamlessly, adding richness without a heavy texture.
- Bring Wet and Dry Together: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, gently folding until just combined. Avoid overmixing, which can make the cake dense rather than light and fluffy.
- Bake to Perfection: Pour the batter into your prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Be careful not to overbake – you want the cake moist, not dry.
- Cool and Frost: Let your chocolate cake cool completely before frosting or serving. This step helps the flavors meld, and the cake will slice much cleaner.
Notes
- Choose the Right Mayonnaise: Use a good quality, classic mayo for the best flavor—avoid flavored or low-fat varieties.
- Measure Flour Correctly: Spoon and level your flour instead of scooping to prevent a dry, dense cake.
- Don’t Skip Sifting: Sifting the cocoa and flour ensures there are no lumps and gives a smoother batter.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Bring eggs, milk, and mayonnaise to room temperature before mixing to blend evenly.
- Test Doneness Early: Start checking your cake 5 minutes before the timer ends to avoid drying out.
- Use Buttermilk for Tenderness: If possible, opt for buttermilk instead of regular milk to enhance moisture and subtle tang.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Can be made dairy-free and gluten-free with adaptations
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of cake)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: chocolate cake, mayonnaise cake, moist chocolate cake, easy chocolate cake, beginner friendly dessert