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    Home » Desserts » BEST Homemade Chocolate Cake Mix

    BEST Homemade Chocolate Cake Mix

    Lainey in the kitchen holding a cupcake pan with glasses
    Modified: Sep 28, 2026 · Published: Jan 8, 2016 by Lainey · This post may contain affiliate links · 14 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Pin Recipe

    Wanna know the secret to satisfying my cravings? Here's the best homemade chocolate cake mix recipe. This simple pantry staple is perfect for any chocolate cake lover. With just a few easy ingredients, create this ready-to-use chocolate cake mix. Let's bake a soft, rich, and chocolatey cake from scratch!

    Any chocolate dish is a great gift, so add mini chocolate cupcakes or vegan chocolate cake to your list!

    homemade chocolate cake mix in a ziplock bag
    Jump to:
    • Why You’ll Love This Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Substitutions & Variations
    • Storage Tips
    • FAQs
    • BEST Homemade Chocolate Cake Mix

    Why You’ll Love This Recipe

    This homemade cake mix takes only a moment to prepare. It needs only a few simple ingredients, too. And anytime you have sudden cravings, you can bake your homemade mix.

    Cocoa powder gives the cake its deep chocolate flavor. It also naturally contains plant compounds called flavanols, along with minerals such as iron and magnesium.

    Ingredients

    Listed below are all the ingredients you will need:

    • all-purpose flour
    • white sugar
    • cocoa powder
    • baking powder
    • baking soda
    • salt
    • milk
    • vegetable oil
    • eggs
    • coffee
    • vanilla extract

    See the recipe card for quantities.

    All ingredients for homemade cake mix in bowls

    Instructions

    Make and Store

    First, add the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to a bowl. Mix for a few seconds until evenly combined.

    Next, transfer the dry mixture to an airtight container or resealable bag. Keep it sealed until you are ready to bake.

    Dry ingredients mixed and packed

    Prepare the Pans

    When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F.

    Then grease two 8-inch round pans. Line each with parchment paper.

    Mix the Ingredients

    Next, whisk the milk, vegetable oil, eggs, coffee, and vanilla extract in a large bowl.

    Then, add the prepared dry cake mix. Stir gently with a wooden spoon until just combined.

    Dry ingredients mixed into wet ingredients

    Fill and Bake

    After that, divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans. Bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes.

    Insert a toothpick near the center to check for doneness. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

    Baking pan filled with batter

    Remove and Cool

    When ready, remove the cakes from the oven. Let them cool in the pans for about 10 minutes.

    Then, gently run a knife around the edges of each cake. Carefully turn the cakes onto a cooling rack.

    Homemade chocolate cake on wire rack

    Lastly, let them cool for about 1 hour before frosting, decorating, or serving!

    Substitutions & Variations

    • Ingredient Swap
      Substitute coffee with water or imitation coffee.
    • Variation
      If you want a vegan cake mix, use plant-based substitutes for egg and milk.
    • Mistake to Avoid
      Don't overmix the batter after adding the dry cake mix. Stir only until everything is combined.

    Storage Tips

    • Keep it in a tightly sealed, airtight container in a cool, dry pantry for 2-3 months.
    • A baked, unfrosted cake can also be wrapped well and frozen for 2-3 months.

    FAQs

    How much cake can this homemade cake mix make?

    The batter is enough for two 8-inch round cake pans. This batch will make one 2-layer chocolate cake. After it's cooled, you can decorate it with your favorite chocolate frosting.

    Why do we add coffee to the mix?

    Coffee makes the cocoa flavor taste richer and more intense. But it won't be enough to make the cake taste strongly like hot coffee. Make sure to let it cool to room temperature before adding to the wet ingredients.

    Can I make the dry cake mix ahead of time?

    Yes, of course! Just store the dry mix in a jar or airtight container until you're ready to bake.

    What type of cocoa powder should I use?

    Use natural cocoa powder. Unsweetened cocoa powder or Hershey's works well, too. Avoid sweetened ones since they change the flavor of the cake.

    Homemade chocolate cake mix in a Ziploc bag
    4.60 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Recipe

    BEST Homemade Chocolate Cake Mix

    This recipe combines simple pantry ingredients for an easy make-ahead baking staple. Add the wet ingredients when you're ready and bake a soft, rich, chocolatey two-layer cake.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time30 minutes mins
    Cool Time1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
    Total Time1 hour hr 50 minutes mins
    Course: cake, Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine: Fusion (American-Filipino)
    Servings: 2 8-inch round pans
    Calories: 1874kcal
    Author: Lainey
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 1 ¾ cups all purpose flour
    • 2 cups sugar
    • ¾ cup cocoa powder
    • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
    • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 cup milk
    • ½ cup vegetable oil
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 cup coffee
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

    Instructions

    Make and Store

    • First, add the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to a bowl.
    • Mix for a few seconds until evenly combined.
    • Next, transfer the dry mixture to an airtight container or resealable bag.
    • Keep it sealed until you are ready to bake.

    Prepare the Pans

    • When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350°F.
    • Then grease two 8-inch round pans.
    • Line each pan with parchment paper.

    Mix the Ingredients

    • Next, whisk the milk, vegetable oil, eggs, coffee, and vanilla extract in a large bowl.
    • Then, add the prepared dry cake mix.
    • Stir gently with a wooden spoon until just combined.

    Fill and Bake

    • After that, divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans.
    • Bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes.
    • Insert a toothpick near the center to check for doneness. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

    Remove and Cool

    • When ready, remove the cakes from the oven.
    • Let them cool in the pans for about 10 minutes.
    • Then, gently run a knife around the edges of each cake.
    • Carefully turn the cakes onto a cooling rack.
    • Lastly, let them cool for about 1 hour before frosting, decorating, or serving!
    Leave a Comment
    Serving: 1gCalories: 1874kcalCarbohydrates: 309gProtein: 27gFat: 69gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 33gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 178mgSodium: 2424mgPotassium: 920mgFiber: 15gSugar: 207gVitamin A: 435IUCalcium: 414mgIron: 11mg

    Watch The Recipe Video!

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    Recipes for Every Moment

    Suddenly craving chocolate cake but don't want to measure the dry ingredients from scratch? Keep this homemade chocolate cake mix in your pantry. Instant cravings satisfied!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      4.60 from 5 votes (1 rating without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Yani says

      November 13, 2018 at 5:58 pm

      Wow! I need this recipe!

      Reply
      • Lainey says

        July 09, 2019 at 8:49 pm

        Go grab it Yani! Thank you so much!

        Reply
    2. Marissa Staben says

      June 27, 2021 at 8:37 am

      4 stars
      Listen I personally think it is stupid to have your entire life story on the recipe. I came to your website to find a recipe for chocolate cake mix and had to scroll forever to find it. I don't care about your blog I just want chocolate cake so just put the recipe at the top and give your dumb commentary at the end. And yes I know you have a jump to recipe button but the fact that you need that is just disappointing.

      Reply
      • Lainey says

        June 29, 2021 at 8:09 pm

        Hi Marissa, I guess you have clicked the "About Me" button. Beside it, there is a search box where you can directly type the recipe you want to check next time. Thank you for visiting my blog!

        Reply
    3. Charito Sabellano says

      October 13, 2021 at 12:20 am

      She gives me some informations on the things I didn't know before.

      Reply
      • Lainey says

        October 13, 2021 at 1:59 am

        Hi Charito,
        I hope you find the information here an interesting or helpful one. Thank you for checking out my blog. I appreciate it!

        Reply
    4. Crystal says

      April 17, 2022 at 10:30 am

      Recipe sounds good. How long would a full size cake cook for?

      Reply
      • Lainey says

        April 22, 2022 at 2:27 am

        Hi Crystal, it would take an hour or less to bake the cake and another hour for the cooling time. I'm sorry for the late response.

        Reply
    5. Sagar says

      March 27, 2024 at 2:19 pm

      5 stars
      Easy and great recipe, when you have kids at home and want to give them something healthy

      Reply
      • Lainey says

        April 22, 2024 at 11:14 pm

        Definitely! Thank you, Sagar. I appreciate you dropping by. 🙂

        Reply
    6. Debra says

      May 15, 2024 at 1:44 am

      5 stars
      Can I make cupcakes or use a 9x13 pan instead of round pans

      Reply
    7. MARLETE MARTINS BERNARDO says

      June 28, 2024 at 1:10 pm

      Gostei muito desta receita, adorei.

      Reply
    8. Robin Cowan says

      July 05, 2024 at 11:43 am

      5 stars
      Haven't made this but sounds amazing!

      Reply
      • Lainey says

        July 08, 2024 at 3:01 am

        Hi, Robin. I hope you can try this too. Please let me know how it goes with you when you try this. 🙂

        Reply

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