This 4-Step Chocolate Cake Is the Easiest Thing You’ll Ever Bake

This basic chocolate cake recipe, with its foolproof all-in-one method, can be whipped up in a matter of minutes. You can keep it plain and simple for a sneaky slice of chocolate cake for elevenses, or jazz it up a little with whatever icings, fillings, or decorations you could possibly dream up. 

Using both cocoa powder and melted chocolate, this chocolate cake should be enough to satisfy even the biggest chocoholic. And because it takes so little time and effort, it’s a perfect cake to decorate for any occasion. Brownie-like in texture, delightfully versatile, and wonderfully simple, this is a go-to recipe for whenever you’re feeling in the mood for chocolate cake.

Basic Chocolate Cake

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 5 minutesCook time: 20 minutesTotal time: 25 minutesServings:10 servings

Ingredients

• 75g melted and cooled dark chocolate
• 175g self-raising flour sieved
• 175g caster sugar
• 175g softened butter
• 85g cocoa powder sieved
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons boiling water

Instructions

1. 
   Preheat the oven to 180ºC. Put all the ingredients in a bowl, trying not to let the eggs touch any of the warm ingredients (i.e. melted chocolate or boiling water), so they don’t cook.
2. 
   Mix everything together, either with electric beaters or a wooden spoon. If the batter is looking dry, add more water tablespoon by tablespoon, until it’s smooth and creamy.
3. 
   Divide the mixture into two cake tins (I used 8-inch/20-cm ones), and bake for 20-25 minutes.
4. 
   Remove from the oven when springy to the touch, and leave to cool in the tins. Feel free to ice and decorate them however you want!

• Dessert
• Vegetarian