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The Ultimate One-Bowl Fudgy Chocolate Cake: Rich, Moist & Effortlessly Decadent

Imagine a chocolate cake so incredibly rich and wonderfully decadent, yet perfectly balanced with a melt-in-your-mouth fudgy texture and a delightful fluffiness. Now imagine that this masterpiece can be made in just ONE BOWL, simplifying your baking process without compromising on flavor or quality. This is that cake.

Finished with an unbelievably easy-to-make chocolate ganache, this Fudgy Chocolate Cake is a true celebration of chocolate, delivering on every promise of deep, intense flavor and an unforgettable texture. Prepare to indulge in pure chocolate bliss!

Fudgy Chocolate Cake cut into pieces, showing its rich, moist interior and glossy ganache.

The Search for the Perfect Chocolate Cake Recipe

Finding a truly exceptional chocolate cake recipe can feel like an endless quest. Much like the elusive perfect brownie, many recipes promise the world but often fall short, leaving you with dry crumbs or a texture that’s simply not what you dreamed of. We’ve all been there: high hopes for a deeply rich, moist, and decadent dessert, only to be met with disappointment.

Over the years, I’ve baked my way through countless chocolate cake recipes, experiencing my fair share of failures and mediocre results. It became clear that to find *the one*, I needed to craft it myself. The goal was ambitious: to create the best chocolate cake our family had ever tasted. And, I’m thrilled to say, this recipe takes the cake! It’s an affirmation that sometimes, taking matters into your own hands leads to the most delicious discoveries.

A huge, generous slice of the Best Fudgy Chocolate Cake, showing its moist crumb and thick chocolate ganache.

The Secret to Our Best Fudgy Chocolate Cake Recipe: Simplicity Meets Decadence

When developing this recipe, my vision was clear: I wanted a cake that captured the intense fudginess of our Best Fudgy Cocoa Brownies, yet maintained the light, airy fluffiness characteristic of a perfect cake. But above all, I demanded uncomplicated steps. No more elaborate preparations involving melted butter and excessive chocolate cooked on the stove, separate dry and wet mixes, multiple bowls, and a kitchen that looks like a war zone. Who has time for a headache, two pain killers, and a bottle of vino before the cake is even out of the oven?

This fudgy chocolate cake recipe is different. It’s revolutionary in its simplicity. You truly only need one bowl, a humble wooden spoon (no electric beaters or fancy kitchen aids required), and absolutely zero sifters. It’s a minimalist approach to maximum flavor. Forget the stress; no pain killers or wine needed here – just pure baking joy.

Achieving this perfect balance of fudge and fluff, while keeping the process streamlined, required many, many batches of testing. I meticulously adjusted the ratios of flour, oil, cocoa powder, and baking powder until the texture was exactly right. The goal was a cake that was undeniably fudgy and incredibly moist, without being overly dense or dry. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in delivering that signature texture and rich chocolate flavor.

Finally, the moment arrived. Look at THAT! ⬇ The result is a SUPER fudgy and unbelievably MOIST chocolate cake. It comes so close to the perfection of those fudgy brownies that I dare say it rivals them – almost! The sheer delight of cutting into a slice and seeing that dense, glossy crumb is enough to make any chocolate lover swoon.

A fork pierced into a slice of Fudgy Chocolate Cake, highlighting its moist and dense texture.

The Effortless Chocolate Ganache: Perfection in Minutes

What’s a truly amazing chocolate cake without a sensational frosting? For this fudgy chocolate cake, we’ve created the most perfect ganache imaginable, and just like the cake, it’s designed for ultimate simplicity. Forget multiple bowls, delicate double boilers, or fussy techniques. All you need is a single small saucepan, and you won’t believe how easy it is until you try it.

The process is as straightforward as it gets: gently heat the cream, add your chocolate chips, let them melt into the warm cream, stir until smooth, and voilà – a glossy, rich ganache is ready. Even for the most reluctant bakers, this step is practically foolproof. If I, being the self-proclaimed “laziest person” when it comes to complicated baking, can master this, then so can you!

Ingredients being mixed for the Fudgy Chocolate Cake in a single bowl.

While this is undeniably an all-out decadent recipe, we’ve also made some smart choices to keep it as balanced as possible. This chocolate cake uses only half the amount of oil typically found in traditional chocolate cake recipes and significantly less flour, with no butter at all! Despite these adjustments, it manages to retain a truly maximum rich chocolate flavor that will satisfy any cocoa craving. For those looking to further reduce the calorie count, a natural granulated sweetener that measures 1:1 with sugar can be easily substituted, making this luscious dessert adaptable to various dietary preferences.

A rich fudgy chocolate cake, frosted in a decadent chocolate frosting, is shown sitting on a white plate. The first slice of cake has been cut lifted up from the rest of the cake. The chocolate frosting is smooth and shiny, while the cake is dense and moist looking. A pieces of chopped, chocolate cake is laying white plate to display the moist fluffy inside.

How to Make the Best Fudgy Chocolate Cake

This recipe is truly the easiest, most amazing, and arguably the best chocolate cake you’ll ever make. It relies on simple, readily available ingredients and requires minimal time and effort to bring together. Don’t be alarmed by the batter’s thin, watery consistency when you first mix it – that’s precisely how it’s meant to be! This unique characteristic is the secret behind the cake’s signature fudgy, moist, and almost brownie-like texture.

Let’s dive into some essential tips to ensure your fudgy chocolate cake turns out perfectly every single time:

Some Key Tips for a Perfect Fudgy Chocolate Cake:

Choose Your Cocoa Powder Wisely: For maximum chocolate richness and a deep, dark color, I highly recommend using a dark, unsweetened cocoa powder. Brands like Hershey’s Unsweetened Cocoa powder work wonderfully. Remember, the darker the cocoa powder, the more intense and rich the chocolate flavor and color of your finished cake will be.
Stick to Oil: Resist the temptation to substitute the vegetable oil for melted butter. The oil is crucial for achieving that incredibly moist, fudgy texture that defines this cake. Butter produces a different crumb, and while delicious, it won’t give you the desired fudginess here.
Milk Type Matters Less: You have flexibility with your milk! Whether you use full-fat milk, reduced-fat milk, 2%, or skim milk, the recipe will still deliver fantastic results.
The Coffee Secret: Don’t skip the instant coffee! While you absolutely cannot taste the coffee itself in the finished cake, it works wonders to enhance and deepen the chocolate flavor, making it incredibly rich and vibrant. It’s a classic trick that truly makes the chocolate sing.
Avoid Overbaking at All Costs: This is perhaps the most critical tip for a moist, fudgy cake. Overbaking is the enemy of fudginess! Begin checking your cake around 30 minutes into baking by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out with too much wet batter, continue baking for another 5-10 minutes and check again. Our cake typically bakes in exactly 45 minutes, and for that perfect moist, fudgy texture, the toothpick should come out *a little dirty*, with moist crumbs sticking to it – not completely clean. This indicates that the cake is perfectly cooked but still retains its wonderful moisture.
Timing Your Ganache: For seamless frosting, prepare your chocolate ganache as soon as the cake comes out of the oven. This allows the ganache enough time to cool and firm up to a perfect spreading consistency (similar to Nutella) by the time your cake has completely cooled.

WATCH US MAKE The Best Fudgy Chocolate Cake RIGHT HERE

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4.82 from 176 votes

Best Fudgy Chocolate Cake

By
Karina

Prep Time:
25 minutes

Cook Time:
50 minutes

Total Time:
1 hour 15 minutes

Servings:
16 people

The most amazing, ONE BOWL, Best Fudgy Chocolate Cake is rich and decadent, with the perfect balance of fluffy and fudgy! An ORIGINAL Cafe Delites RECIPE!

Ingredients

CHOCOLATE CAKE:

▢ 1 1/2 cups all-purpose or plain flour
▢ 1 1/2 cups white granulated sugar or a natural granulated baking sweetener measuring 1:1 with sugar
▢ 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
▢ 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
▢ 1/2 teaspoon salt
▢ 1/3 cup vegetable oil
▢ 1 large egg
▢ 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract (20 ml)
▢ 3/4 cup milk (190 ml)
▢ 2 teaspoons instant coffee mixed with 3/4 cup (190 ml) Boiling water

CHOCOLATE GANACHE:

▢ 1 cup heavy cream or thickened cream
▢ 8 oz semi sweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8-inch round cake pan (or 9-inch) with non-stick cooking oil spray. Line the base with parchment paper. *SEE NOTES*

CHOCOLATE CAKE:

Combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Whisk thoroughly to combine well, ensuring no lumps remain.
Add the vegetable oil, large egg, pure vanilla extract, and milk to the dry flour mixture. Beat well (with a wooden spoon or whisk) to combine, mixing for about 30 seconds until mostly smooth. Pour in the boiling water (that has been mixed with instant coffee), and continue to mix gently until the batter is glossy and uniform. (Do not be concerned; the cake batter is intentionally thin in consistency at this stage.)
Pour the thin cake batter into your prepared pan. Bake for approximately 40-45 minutes. To check for doneness, insert a toothpick into the center of the chocolate cake. It should come out semi-clean, with a few moist crumbs (not runny batter) clinging to it. This slightly “dirty” toothpick is the key to a perfectly fudgy and moist texture.
Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 20 minutes. After this initial cooling, carefully transfer the cake from the pan to a wire rack to cool down completely before you apply the frosting.

CHOCOLATE GANACHE:

Pour the heavy cream (or thickened cream) into a small saucepan. Heat it over low heat for a few minutes, stirring occasionally. Be vigilant and ensure it does not boil or even simmer aggressively. Once the cream is hot and gently steaming, remove the saucepan from the heat immediately.
Add all the chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark, as preferred) into the hot cream in the saucepan. Cover the saucepan with a lid and let it sit undisturbed for a good 5 minutes. This allows the residual heat from the cream to gently soften and melt the chocolate chips.
Uncover the saucepan. Begin to stir slowly with a spatula or wooden spoon, gradually increasing your speed. Continue mixing until the ganache transforms into a perfectly smooth, creamy, and wonderfully glossy consistency. For the ideal spreading texture, refrigerate the ganache for one hour to an hour and a half, until it thickens to a consistency similar to Nutella.
Once the cake is completely cool and the ganache is the right consistency, spread it evenly over the top and sides of your decadent chocolate cake.

Notes

BAKING POWDER: This fudgy chocolate cake recipe is specifically designed to be super moist and incredibly fudgy. If you prefer a slightly fluffier cake texture, you can increase the baking powder to 2 teaspoons. However, be cautious: using more than 2 teaspoons may cause your cake to rise excessively and potentially crack through the middle, altering its intended structure. Baking soda is not required in this recipe, as the baking powder provides sufficient leavening.

SPRINGFORM PAN (PLEASE NOTE): While convenient, springform pans are generally not 100% leakproof. The thin consistency of this chocolate cake batter means it can potentially leak through the base. To prevent this, thoroughly line the base of your springform pan with parchment paper, ensuring it extends up the sides where the base meets the ring, creating a protective ‘cover.’ Additionally, for extra peace of mind, place a baking sheet on the oven rack directly below your cake pan (or at the bottom of the oven) to catch any stray drips. Avoid placing the cake pan directly on the baking sheet to allow for proper air circulation.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this? Leave a comment below!

There you have it – the ultimate recipe for a fudgy chocolate cake that’s both incredibly simple to make and irresistibly delicious. This one-bowl wonder is perfect for satisfying your deepest chocolate cravings, whether for a special occasion or just a weeknight treat. Its rich, moist, and fudgy texture, paired with an easy, glossy ganache, makes it a dessert that will impress everyone who tries it. Give it a bake, and prepare to fall in love with your new go-to chocolate cake recipe!