Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake With Peanut Butter Frosting

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 12/13/22
Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

The Spruce 

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 25 mins
Total: 40 mins
Servings: 12 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
434 Calories
26g Fat
48g Carbs
5g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Amount per serving
Calories 434
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 26g 33%
Saturated Fat 7g 36%
Cholesterol 21mg 7%
Sodium 470mg 20%
Total Carbohydrate 48g 18%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Protein 5g
Calcium 38mg 3%
*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.)

This chocolate mayonnaise cake has long been a favorite with my family. Mayonnaise is the secret ingredient in this super easy, moist chocolate cake and the optional peanut butter frosting is amazing. Mayonnaise replaces the eggs and oil in this easy chocolate cake.

This is frosted with the included fluffy peanut butter frosting, but feel free to dust the cake with powdered sugar or use a fluffy caramel cream cheese frosting or a basic butter frosting.

Ingredients

  • For the Mayonnaise Cake
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup water
  • For the Frosting
  • 6 tablespoons butter (softened)
  • 3/4 cup peanut butter (creamy)
  • Optional: 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
  • Optional: milk or cream (if necessary)

Steps to Make It

Make the Chocolate Cake

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake recipe ingredients
    The Spruce 

  2. Heat the oven to 350 F (180 C/Gas 4).

    Grease and flour a 9-inch square baking pan.

    Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake recipe
     The Spruce

  3. Sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.

    Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake recipe
     The Spruce

  4. Whisk the sugar and mayonnaise until smooth.

    Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake recipe
    The Spruce 

  5. Then, whisk in the vanilla and water.

    Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake recipe
     The Spruce

  6. Add dry ingredients to the mayonnaise mixture; whisk until well blended.

    Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake recipe
     The Spruce

  7. Pour batter into the prepared cake pan.

    Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake recipe
     The Spruce

  8. Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the cake springs back when lightly touched in the center with a finger.

    Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake recipe
    The Spruce 

  9. Cool and then remove from the pan. 

    Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake recipe
     The Spruce

Make the Peanut Butter Frosting

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Peanut Butter frosting recipe ingredients
     The Spruce

  2. In a mixing bowl with an electric mixer on high speed, beat 6 tablespoons of softened butter with 3/4 cup of creamy peanut butter and 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract, if using.

    Peanut Butter frosting recipe
     The Spruce

  3. With the mixer on low speed, beat in the confectioners' sugar. Increase the speed to high and beat until fluffy.

    Peanut Butter frosting recipe
    The Spruce 

  4. If the frosting is too thick, add milk or cream in small amounts.

    Peanut Butter frosting recipe
     The Spruce

  5. Dust the cake with confectioners' sugar or frost with the peanut butter frosting, if desired.

    Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake With Peanut Butter Frosting
     The Spruce

  6. Slice, serve, and enjoy!

    Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake With Peanut Butter Frosting
     The Spruce