Travis' Favorite Chocolate Cake
A moist, rich chocolate cake with a tender crumb, featuring cocoa and mayonnaise for deep flavor and moisture, perfect for chocolate lovers and special occasions.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix flour, baking soda, salt, sugar, and cocoa in a mixing bowl on low speed.
- Add water, mayonnaise, and butter flavoring; mix well until smooth.
- Pour the batter into greased and floured cake pans.
- Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes or until done.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using dark cocoa powder instead of regular cocoa. If you're out of mayonnaise, you can substitute it with plain yogurt or sour cream for a similar moisture level. Mixing on low prevents overmixing, which can lead to a denser cake. Ensure your baking pans are well-greased and floured to prevent sticking; this is especially important for this chocolate cake.
Serving Suggestions
This chocolate cake is delightful on its own but can be enhanced with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of chocolate ganache. It pairs beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. For a festive touch, consider serving it alongside Caramel Dip For Fruit for a refreshing contrast.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to keep it longer, refrigerate the cake for up to a week. To reheat, place a slice in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or warm in the oven at a low temperature until just heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Travis' Favorite Chocolate Cake contains roughly 1086 calories, with 11g protein, 82g carbohydrates, and 81g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (48% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (43% of the Daily Value), and iron (32% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1233mg per serving (54% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of plain flour?
Yes, you can substitute whole wheat flour for plain flour, but the texture may be denser. Start with a 50-50 mix and see how it turns out. Keep in mind that whole wheat flour absorbs more liquid, so you might need to slightly adjust the amount of water in the recipe.
How can I make this cake gluten-free?
To make this cake gluten-free, substitute the plain flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Ensure that the blend contains xanthan gum or add it separately according to the package instructions. This will help achieve a similar texture to traditional flour.
Can I add chocolate chips to the batter?
Absolutely! Adding chocolate chips is a great way to enhance the chocolate flavor. Fold in about 1 cup of semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips after mixing the wet and dry ingredients. This will create pockets of melted chocolate in the cake.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).