Dense, moist chocolate cake from scratch! This chocolate mayonnaise cake is a not-too-sweet chocolate cake that’s perfect with a sweet chocolate or vanilla frosting.
This chocolate mayonnaise cake is a great basic cake. It’s moist and chocolatey – thanks in large part to the mayo and the buttermilk.
How to Make Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake
Chocolate mayonnaise cake tips and tricks
- This cake is moist and is a little more dense than a fluffy chocolate cake.
- The cake is not a super sweet cake, so I suggest pairing it with a frosting like my whipped buttercream frosting or the cooked chocolate frosting on this cake.
- I’ve used both lighter (olive oil) mayonnaise and full-fat mayonnaise in this cake. Both have worked equally well.
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Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup hot water not boiling
- 3 large eggs
- 1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup buttermilk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan.
- Stir hot water and cocoa powder together in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Using an electric hand or stand mixer, beat the eggs, sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl on high speed until thick and very light yellow in color; about 5-6 minutes.
- Add the mayonnaise, and beat on medium speed until combined.
- Add the cocoa mixture, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, and mix in until combined. The mixture will look thick and fudgy.
- Add the buttermilk, and mix on low speed just until it's incorporated.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake for about 30-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Allow the cake to cool in the pan until it reaches room temperature.
- Frost with desired frosting.
Notes
Nutrition
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Originally published 6/11/12. Updated with new photos and tips 5/31/18.
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Comments & Reviews
Maria phelan says
Hi Kate many thanks for this lovely recipe and the recipe for chocolate muffin brownies. These are just what I needed to take to a “chocoholic family (there will be 40 of us for Christmas) I may have to make 2 batches!
Kate says
Thank you! I’m glad that you like the cake and the brownies! =) I hope everyone enjoys them, and thanks for commenting!
Jen says
Yum!! The cake is just as described. It is very moist and that’s what I wanted. Thank you for the recipe!