Moist Chocolate Loaf Cake
Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 60 mins | Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins | Servings: 8–10 slices
This rich, tender chocolate loaf cake is perfect for when you’re craving something homemade and comforting. It’s soft, deeply chocolatey, and stays moist for days. Add a touch of coffee to enhance the cocoa flavor, and you’ll have a bakery-quality cake straight from your oven!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ cup (75g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup (120ml) milk
- ½ cup (120ml) hot water or hot coffee (for a richer flavor)
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven and pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder.
- Cream the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3–4 minutes).
- Add the eggs and vanilla: Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Combine dry ingredients and milk: Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture in three parts, alternating with milk. Begin and end with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Add hot water or coffee: Gently stir in hot water or coffee. The batter will be thin—this helps make the cake moist.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 55–65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Pro Tips
- For a more intense flavor, use espresso instead of water.
- Dust the chocolate chips with a bit of flour to prevent them from sinking to the bottom.
- Top with chocolate ganache or powdered sugar for a beautiful finish.
