One of the best Chocolate Cakes out there with truly decadent Fudge Frosting! You won't believe how easy it is to make! No eggs or dairy needed!
BUSY DAY CHOCOLATE CAKE
Easy chocolate cake made in one bowl are always a winner in my book. My One-Bowl Chocolate Cake is always a huge hit but sometimes there are days when I am completely out of eggs. This Busy Day Chocolate Cake is perfect for those situations! It does not require eggs or dairy! You can dust it with powdered sugar, top with store-bought frosting or make my fudge frosting. To make this cake in a bundt pan, check out my recipe for The Best Chocolate Bundt Cake!
HOW TO MAKE BUSY DAY CHOCOLATE CAKE?
- Start by preheating your oven. Line a 8"x8" square pan with parchment paper. Grease the paper. Set aside.
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In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, soda, salt and cocoa).
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In another mixing bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients (oil, water, vanilla and vinegar).
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Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and whisk together until smooth. Pour the batter into prepared pan.
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Bake until the toothpick inserted into few places in the cake comes out clean. (Out of toothpicks? Use an uncooked spaghetti noodle!)
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Cool in pan for 2 minutes. Transfer onto a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO MAKE THIS CAKE?
- flour
- sugar
- baking soda
- salt
- cocoa powder
- oil
- water
- vanilla extract
- apple cider vinegar
MORE CHOCOLATE CAKE RECIPES:
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I tested and tested and tested this recipe so many times and it works perfectly. I think everyone should print it out and keep it on hand.
BUSY DAY CHOCOLATE CAKE RECIPE:
Busy Day Chocolate Cake with Fudge Frosting Recipe
Ingredients
to make the cake:
- 1.5 c all-purpose flour
- 1 c granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ⅓ c unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ c vegetable or canola oil
- 1 c water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
to make frosting:
- ¼ c unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoon sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1.5 c confectioners' sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Line a 8"x8" square pan with parchment paper. Grease the paper. Set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, soda, salt and cocoa).
- In another mixing bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients (oil, water, vanilla and vinegar).
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and whisk together until smooth.
- Pour the batter into prepared pan.
- Bake for 23 to 28 minutes, or until the toothpick inserted into few place in the cake comes out clean. (Out of toothpicks? Use an uncooked spaghetti noodle!)
- Cool in pan for 2 minutes. Transfer onto a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.
to make the frosting:
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan. Take off the heat.
- Whisk in cocoa and sour cream/Greek yogurt.
- Place back on the burner and cook just until it starts to bubble.
- Alternately, you can melt the butter in a microwave safe dish, whisk in the cocoa powder and Greek yogurt and cook for 10 to 15 more seconds, just until it starts to bubble.
- Transfer the mixture into a bowl.
- Sift the sugar over the bowl and whisk it in.
- Add vanilla and mix well.
- Let the frosting cool for 10 minutes.
- Spread over the cake.
- It will set more as it cools.
Amber says
Hello
Is the batter suppose to be so runny!
Thank you Amber
Amber says
Hello I worked it out Anna. 🙂
Amber
Jo says
Such an amazingly simple yet delicious recipe! I've been looking for an easy cake that doesn't require tons of ingredients or baking tools. Baked this last night and it is already halfway finished!!
Anna says
Thank you so much, Jo! I am glad it was a hit!
Kate says
Cant wait to try this recipe. Is there a substitute for apple cider vinegar? I live on a game reserve so no shops to pop out to quickly:-)
Anna says
Hi Kate! You can use white vinegar or lemon juice. I hope this helps!
Kirsty says
I have made this cake so many times and it is absolutely amazing! Delicious and so simple too. The one problem I have is the icing? Every time I try to do it and I stick to the recipe to a t and each time the icing comes out very dark and bitter? I can't help but think I must be missing something or maybe 4tbsp of cocoa powder is too much? I don't know, your icing looks delicious on this cake though, i just wish I could make it the same!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Hi Kristy! I am so happy you enjoy the cake! It's my very favorite and my 4 layer chocolate cake is based on this recipe. If the frosting seems to bitter - try adding more sugar or more vanilla. The sour cream/Greek yogurt should lighten the color so I am not sure why yours looks dark... I made this frosting many times and it always works. I will make it again and see if I have the same issues. Thank you!
Cathy says
growing up we called this cake a wacky cake, it's amazing, i've made it into mini muffins as well.
Jodi - 5 Boys Baker says
I made this cake today and I have to say, it is absolutely delicious!! We all loved it! It's so moist! I have to say though, my frosting looked nothing like yours. It was soooo much darker and I followed the recipe exactly. I ended up having to add more powdered sugar and sour cream because it was actually to chocolatey, even for me who is a huge chocoholic!
CrunchyCreamySw says
Hi Jenny! I am so excited for you to try this cake! Yes, c is for a cup. The confectioners sugar is another name for powdered sugar, you can find it next to brown sugar in a store. Let me know how the cake turns out!! Happy Baking!