A simple and rich chocolate cake that doesn’t need a sugary sweet icing to be delicious.

When I was little this was the very first cake recipe I ever made from scratch. I remember being so proud that I made a cake all by myself and the only thing I needed help with was taking it in and out of the oven. For a four year old, especially a very independent four year old, this is a very big deal. That’s how simple this chocolate cake recipe is, a four year old can make it. But just because it’s simple doesn’t mean it’s lacking in flavor. With the inclusion of chocolate milk and coffee, the taste of cocoa is amplified. Creating a rich and moist chocolate cake that’s so delicious you won’t even miss the icing. 

Simple and Rich Chocolate Cake 

2 cups granulated sugar

½ cup vegetable oil

2 large eggs

1 cup chocolate milk

⅔ cups cocoa powder

1 tsp baking powder

2 tsp baking soda

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup strong coffee

¼ tsp kosher salt

Powdered sugar for dusting

Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13” pan with cooking spray. 

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the oil, sugar and eggs until the eggs are fully incorporated. Add the chocolate milk and whisk. Sift in the cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and flour. Fold until the sifted dry ingredients are incorporated. Add the salt and coffee, whisk until the coffee is included into the batter. 

Place the batter in the greased pan and bake for 35-40 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely on a wire rack. Once cooled, dust the cake with powdered sugar and serve.

*Notes: Yes this cake doesn’t have any icing, just a gentle dusting of powdered sugar. But if you got to have your icing feel free to put your favorite icing on your chocolate cake. 

This cake is also great when eaten slightly warmed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.