How to bake a moist chocolate cake to warm you up in July

There is something comforting about the smell of chocolate cake baking in the oven.

Whether it is a cold afternoon, a celebration, or just a craving for something indulgent, a homemade chocolate cake is the perfect snack.

And the good news... You do not need to be a professional baker or have fancy tools to make one from the comfort of your kitchen.

Chocolate cake has long held a place in homes as a symbol of warmth, joy, and togetherness.

While many still turn to bakeries, there is a growing return to home baking, spurred by economic reasons and the desire to control ingredients.

What you need:

Ingredients

• 1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour

• ¾ cup (75g) unsweetened cocoa powder

• 2 cups (400g) sugar

• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

• 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 2 large eggs

• 1 cup (240ml) whole milk

• ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil

• 2 teaspoons vanilla essence

• 1 cup (240ml) boiling water or hot brewed coffee (for deeper flavour)

Steps to follow:

step 1

Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Lightly grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan or line it with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, then stir to combine.

Step 3

Add in the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla essence. Beat using a whisk or wooden spoon until smooth.

Step 4

Pour in the hot water or coffee, and the batter will be thin, but this is normal. Stir gently until fully combined.

Step 5

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and place it in the centre rack of your oven.

Step 6

Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean.

Step 7

Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.

Optional chocolate frosting:

If you want to take it a step further, here is  a quick buttercream chocolate frosting recipe:

Ingredients:

• ½ cup (115g) butter, softened

• 1 ¾ cups (220g) icing sugar

• ¼ cup (25g) cocoa powder

• 2–3 tablespoons milk

• ½ teaspoon vanilla essence

Steps to follow:

Step 1

Beat all ingredients in a bowl until fluffy.

Step 2

Spread over the cooled cake with a spatula or the back of a spoon.

From here, the cake becomes your canvas. Sprinkle grated chocolate or top with fresh strawberries.

If you have young ones at home, decorating with colourful sprinkles can turn baking into a shared memory.

And with just a few pantry staples, a homemade chocolate cake can offer that moment of sweetness we all deserve.