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Busy Day Chocolate Cake with Fudge Frosting Recipe

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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 1 Busy Day Chocolate Cake with Fudge Frosting Recipe

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!

busy day chocolate cake 4 Busy Day Chocolate Cake with Fudge Frosting Recipe

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.
  • 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 until the toothpick inserted into few places 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.

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:

The Best Chocolate Bundt Cake

Eggless Chocolate Cupcakes

The Best Chocolate Cake

One-Bowl Chocolate Cake

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:

5 from 5 votes
busy day chocolate cake 1 150x150 Busy Day Chocolate Cake with Fudge Frosting Recipe
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Busy Day Chocolate Cake with Fudge Frosting Recipe
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
45 mins
 
One of the best Chocolate Cakes out there with truly decadent Fudge Frosting! You won’t believe how easy it is to make!
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chocolate cake, easy chocolate cake, eggless dairy-free chocolate cake
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 469 kcal
Author: Anna
Ingredients
to make the cake:
  • 1.5 c all-purpose flour
  • 1 c granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/3 c unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 c vegetable or canola oil
  • 1 c water
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
to make frosting:
  • 1/4 c unsalted butter
  • 4 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 Tbsp sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • 1.5 c confectioners' sugar
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
US Customary - Metric
Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Line a 8"x8" square pan with parchment paper. Grease the paper. Set aside.
  3. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, soda, salt and cocoa).
  4. In another mixing bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients (oil, water, vanilla and vinegar).
  5. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and whisk together until smooth.
  6. Pour the batter into prepared pan.
  7. 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!)
  8. Cool in pan for 2 minutes. Transfer onto a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.
to make the frosting:
  1. Melt butter in a medium saucepan. Take off the heat.
  2. Whisk in cocoa and sour cream/Greek yogurt.
  3. Place back on the burner and cook just until it starts to bubble.
  4. 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.
  5. Transfer the mixture into a bowl.
  6. Sift the sugar over the bowl and whisk it in.
  7. Add vanilla and mix well.
  8. Let the frosting cool for 10 minutes.
  9. Spread over the cake.
  10. It will set more as it cools.
Nutrition Facts
Busy Day Chocolate Cake with Fudge Frosting Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 469 Calories from Fat 189
% Daily Value*
Fat 21g32%
Saturated Fat 5g31%
Cholesterol 17mg6%
Sodium 456mg20%
Potassium 127mg4%
Carbohydrates 69g23%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 47g52%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 205IU4%
Calcium 18mg2%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. 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!!

    Reply

  3. 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:-)

    Reply

  4. 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!

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

  6. 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!

    Reply

  7. 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!

    Reply

  8. Elisabeth M Schubert says

    I made this tonight on a whim, and it tasted fantastic! However, I baked it for 28 minutes, and ended up having to lower the temp to 300 for 5 more minutes to cook the middle without burning the edges. Edges still turned out a little crunchy, but delish none the less. And whisking the frosting I could not get it to lighten. I would probably use a beater next time to get it a bit fluffier. And a small piece was perfect for my mom and I! Planning on cutting it up and freezing individual pieces so we can pull pieces out on a whim and have it last longer. 🙂 Really happy I tried this recipe. Totally worth it.

    Reply

    • CrunchyCreamySw says

      Yay! I am so glad you liked the cake, Elisabeth!! Thank you for your comment! I like the idea of freezing individual pieces. 🙂

      Reply

  9. Jane says

    My understanding is that this is a Depression-era recipe, hence the lack of eggs and butter. I’ve never seen it with cider vinegar – white vinegar works fine too. The cake itself is vegan and lactose free.

    Reply

  12. Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says

    Anna, don’t know how I missed this earlier in the week! (Cray-cray week, for sure. Same with you with the shopping, eh? 😉 But, my chocoholic brain wants this fudgy moist cake for dessert…right NOW! Beautifully captured in your photos, too. Thanks for sharing, girl. Have a lovely Fall weekend! Pinned!

    Reply

    • CrunchyCreamySw says

      Thank you so much, Stacy! Life can be crazy sometimes but there is always time and place for a chocolate cake. 🙂

      Reply

  15. Ashley - Baker by Nature says

    You’re kiiiiiiilling me with this! I have been craving chocolate cake ALL day! And now this beauty is all up in my face but so far away!? I must have!

    Reply

  18. Jennie @themessybakerblog says

    You poor dear. Cake makes everything better. Oh, and this cake is a winner. That frosting is calling my name. Pinned!

    Reply

  20. Gintare @Gourmantine says

    As a lifelong chocoholic, I’d say this is right up my alley, beautiful and looks delicious too!

    Reply

  21. Kate@Diethood says

    Oh I HEAR YOU! I have two, and going to the stores with them is quite the challenge… let’s just say Pier 1 Imports does not care to see us again… 🙂

    The cake is SO pretty! It looks like something I could eat up before any guests even arrive! 🙂

    Reply

  23. Nancy says

    “So if you are having one of those crazy busy days, want a cake but
    without all the fuss of layers and buttercreams, you are out of eggs but
    want to bake something delicious, you have unexpected guests or a
    dessert recipe failed you” <– lol, this sounds like everyday for me! I'm always so exhausted after work and I want to bake but am too tired. This is perfect! I love the simple ingredients that I always have in my pantry and this cake looks simply amazing. It definitely won't last longer than three days in my house!

    Reply

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