Everyday Cocoa Cake

A rich and moist chocolate cake made with cocoa powder and brown sugar, perfect for everyday occasions. This simple yet delicious cake is finished with a light dusting of confectioners sugar.

8 servings
2 hr 21 min

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • teaspoons baking soda
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter
  • cups light brown sugar
  • 2 whole eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1⅓ cups water
  • ¼ cup confectioners sugar

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a 9- by 2-inch round cake pan and dust with flour, knocking out excess.

    5 min

  2. 2.

    Whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.

    3 min

  3. 3.

    Beat together butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer until pale and fluffy. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat in vanilla.

    8 min

  4. 4.

    Add flour mixture and water alternately in batches, beginning and ending with flour and mixing just until combined.

    5 min

  5. 5.

    Pour batter into cake pan and bake in middle of oven until springy to the touch and a tester inserted in center comes out clean, 55 minutes to 1 hour. Cool in pan 1 hour. Invert onto a rack, then turn right side up and dust with confectioners sugar.

    120 min