Chocolate Cake From Homemade Cake Mix

By
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen
Linda Larsen is a journalist, quick-cooking and slow-cooking expert, and accomplished cookbook author with over 30 years of experience in testing and developing recipes.
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Updated on 02/5/23
Chocolate Cake
Ray Kachatorian/The Image Bank/Getty Images
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 25 mins
Total: 35 mins
Servings: 16 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
199 Calories
9g Fat
27g Carbs
3g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 16
Amount per serving
Calories 199
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 9g 11%
Saturated Fat 2g 12%
Cholesterol 36mg 12%
Sodium 241mg 10%
Total Carbohydrate 27g 10%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 14g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 91mg 7%
Iron 2mg 8%
Potassium 78mg 2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Make your own homemade cake mix, then make a chocolate cake from that mix. It's easy to make your own mix, less expensive, and good for you and you control the ingredients!

This simple cake recipe is very chocolatey and very rich. Frost it with your favorite chocolate frosting or, for a switch, use a cream cheese frosting. This cake is perfect for a birthday cake, for entertaining, or just because it's Wednesday.

Ingredients

  • 4 cups cake mix

  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

  • 1/4 cup hot water

  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

  • 1/3 cup oil

  • 3 large eggs

  • 1 cup milk

  • 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled

  • Chocolate frosting, optional

Steps to Make It

  1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray two 8" round cake pans OR one 13" x 9" cake pan with​ a nonstick baking spray containing flour and set aside.

  2. Pour one portion of the cake mix into a large bowl. In a small bowl, combine the cocoa powder and hot water; mix well. This makes the chocolate "bloom" and increases the flavor.

  3. Make a well in​ the center of the cake mix and add the vanilla, oil, eggs, and 1 cup milk. Beat the mixture for 1 minute with an electric mixer at low speed until blended. then stir in the cocoa mixture and the melted chocolate. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl and beat 2 minutes longer at medium speed until the batter is smooth.

  4. Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake the layer cakes for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the cake springs back when pressed lightly in center and begins to pull away from edges of ​the pan. Bake the 9" x 13" cake for 25 to 35 minutes until the cake tests done.