The easiest one-bowl chocolate cake recipe that you mix by hand in 10 minutes.

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

The cake in the movieMatildais a giant cake.

You need a lot of people around to eat an entire cake like that.

Slice of One-Bowl Double-Layer Chocolate Cake on a Small Plate with a Maraschino Cherry

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

While the cake bakes, you could make thechocolate buttercream.

Or it’s possible for you to just use store-bought frosting.

Its my go-to chocolate cake.

One-Bowl Double-Layer Chocolate Cake With a Slice Cut Out

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

A lot of cake recipes call for softened butter, which you have to beat until its creamy.

This cake is not like that.

So theres less to get dirty.

Slice of One-Bowl Double-Layer Chocolate Cake on a Small Plate with a Maraschino Cherry

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Any unsweetened cocoa powder will do.

Sometimes cocoa powder can get lumpy as it sits on the shelf.

Youll want to sift it to get the lumps out so you dont have to overmix your cake batter.

One-Bowl Double-Layer Chocolate Cake on a Plate

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

No Eggs?

No Problem

You might look at this recipe and think, Where are the eggs?

Well, this cake does not need them.

Two Circular Baking Pans Lined with Parchment Paper for One-Bowl Double-Layer Chocolate Cake Recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

It still bakes up with a tender crumb like the chocolate cakes you dream of.

Its almost like magic.

The finished cake doesnt taste like coffee, though, so if you dont like coffee, dont worry!

Dry Ingredients Whisked Together in a Bowl for One-Bowl Double-Layer Chocolate Cake Recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

It just helps the cake taste more chocolate-y.

Or you’re able to just use plain hot water.

Make One or Two Layers

Layer cakes feel more special, for some reason.

Brewed Coffee Poured into Bowl of Dry Ingredient, and Next to It, Small Bowls and Pyrex Measuring Cups With the Rest of the Wet Ingredients for One-Bowl Chocolate Cake Recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

I bake this cake in two small 6-inch round pans so that I can layer it.

If you dont have 6-inch pans, you might use an 8-inch round pan for a single layer.

Or double the recipe to make two 8-inch layers.

Bowl of Wet and Dry Ingredients (Not Whisked Together) for Double-Layer Chocolate Cake Recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

More Easy Cakes

One-Bowl Chocolate Cake

This is adapted from ourSuper Easy Chocolate Cupcakesrecipe.

Grease two 6-inch round cake pans with cooking spray, dust with flour, and tap out the excess.

Line the bottoms with parchment paper or rounds of wax paper.

One-Bowl Double-Layer Chocolate Cake Batter Whisked Together

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

The batter will seem a bit thin.

Divide the batter between the prepared pans.

For two 6-inch round pans, this will take about 30 minutes; for cupcakes, 20 minutes.

Two Circular Baking Pans With Baked Cake Cooling on a Wire Rack for One Bowl Chocolate Cake Recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Remove the pans from the oven and let them sit on a rack for 5 minutes to cool.

Then gently run a knife along the sides and turn the cakes from the pans onto the rack.

Peel off the waxed paper or parchment, and cool completely.

Chocolate Cake Layers Resting on Cooling Rack (Without the Baking Pans) for One Bowl Double-Layer Chocolate Cake Recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

As the cakes cool, make theChocolate Buttercream Frosting.

If using another frosting, youll need 2 cups to frost two (6-inch) round layers.

These will help keep buttercream off the plate when you serve it.

Bowl of Easy Chocolate Buttercream Frosting for One-Bowl Double-Layer Chocolate Cake Recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Lay a cake layer in the center, flat side down.

Dont worry if its messy.

Lay the second cake over the frosting so its flat side down.

Four Strips of Parchment Paper on a Plate (Crisscrossed) for Chocolate Cake Recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Just worry about getting it spread outyoull make it pretty later.

Gather blobs of frosting on the spatula and smear on the sides until they are all coated.

Then go back and smooth them out with the spatula.

One Layer of Cake Placed on Parchment Paper for One-Bowl Double-Layer Chocolate Cake Recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Now it’s possible for you to go back and smooth the top so its pretty.

Keep some ridges to make attractive swirls.

Gently pull the strips of paper out from under the frosted cake.

Layers of One-Bowl Double-Layer Chocolate Cake on the Parchment Covered Plate With Icing Between the Layers and on the Top Layer

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Keep the frosted cake at cool room temperature for up to 1 day before serving.

If its hot, refrigerate the cake.

Its best enjoyed within 2 days.

Offset Spatula used to Spread Chocolate Frosting Along the Sides of the Double-Layer Chocolate Cake on the Parchment Lined Plate

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

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Sides of One-Bowl Double-Layer Chocolate Cake Covered in Frosting

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Aerial View of One-Bowl Double-Layer Chocolate Cake on a Parchment Lined Plate With the Icing Smoothened

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Top of One-Bowl Double-Layer Chocolate Cake Decorated With a Large Swirl and Parchment Paper Removed from Plate

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

One-Bowl Double-Layer Chocolate Cake Garnished with Maraschino Cherries on a Plate

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm