The Ultimate Guide to Baking a Decadent Hershey's Chocolate Cake at Home

Have you ever craved a rich, moist chocolate cake that melts in your mouth with every bite? There's nothing quite like the satisfaction of baking a hershey's chocolate cake recipe from scratch in your own kitchen. Making a homemade hershey chocolate cake recipe allows you to control the quality of ingredients, customize sweetness levels, and fill your home with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked chocolate goodness. This classic dessert has been a beloved favorite for generations, and today, you'll learn exactly how to recreate this bakery-quality treat without any complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients.

Ingredients List

    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 2 cups granulated sugar
    • ¾ cup Hershey's unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 2 teaspoons baking soda
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 cup whole milk
    • 1 cup vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 cup boiling water or hot coffee

For the Chocolate Frosting:

    • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
    • ⅔ cup Hershey's cocoa powder
    • 3 cups powdered sugar
    • ⅓ cup whole milk
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • Optional: ¼ cup chocolate chips for extra richness

Timing / Cooking Schedule

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 30 minutes

Total time: 45 minutes

This recipe is perfect for weekend baking or special occasions. While the cake bakes, you can prepare the frosting, making this an efficient one-hour project from start to finish including cooling time.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and ensures easy cake removal.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well combined. Sifting the cocoa powder prevents lumps and creates a smoother batter.

Step 3: Combine Wet Ingredients In a separate bowl, beat eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract together. Pour this mixture into your dry ingredients and mix on medium speed for about 2 minutes until smooth and well incorporated.

Step 4: Add Boiling Water Carefully stir in the boiling water or hot coffee (coffee enhances chocolate flavor without adding coffee taste). The batter will be thin—this is normal and creates the signature moist texture of this hershey's chocolate cake recipe.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Avoid opening the oven door frequently as this causes temperature fluctuations.

Step 6: Cool Completely Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely. Frosting a warm cake will cause the frosting to melt and slide off.

Step 7: Prepare Frosting Beat softened butter until creamy. Add cocoa powder and powdered sugar alternately with milk, beating until light and fluffy. Mix in vanilla extract. For an extra indulgent homemade hershey chocolate cake recipe, fold in melted chocolate chips.

Step 8: Frost and Serve Place one cake layer on your serving plate, spread frosting on top, add the second layer, and frost the top and sides generously. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to set the frosting before slicing.

Nutritional Information

Per serving (serves 12):

    • Calories: 485
    • Protein: 6g
    • Carbohydrates: 68g
    • Fat: 23g
    • Fiber: 3g
    • Calcium: 6% DV
    • Iron: 15% DV

Tips, Variations, or Cooking Advice

Dietary Modifications: For a gluten-free version, substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Replace dairy milk with almond or oat milk for a dairy-sensitive option. Use flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoons water per egg) for a vegan alternative.

Flavor Variations: Add 1 teaspoon of espresso powder to intensify chocolate flavor, or mix in ½ cup of chocolate chips to the batter for extra richness. For a festive twist, add 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract to the frosting.

Meal Prep Tip: Bake cake layers in advance and freeze unfrosted for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting.

Beginner Advice: Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly. Let eggs and milk sit out for 30 minutes before baking, or place eggs in warm water for 5 minutes to quickly bring them to room temperature.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overmixing the Batter: Mix just until ingredients are combined. Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in a tough, dense cake instead of a tender crumb.

Incorrect Oven Temperature: Use an oven thermometer to verify your oven's accuracy. Baking at too high a temperature causes dry edges and an undercooked center.

Skipping the Boiling Water: Many bakers hesitate to add hot liquid, but it's essential for activating cocoa powder and creating moisture. Don't skip this step.

Frosting Too Soon: Patience is key. Frosting a warm cake causes melting and sliding. Wait until layers are completely cool to the touch.

Uneven Layers: Use a kitchen scale to divide batter equally, ensuring even baking and a level finished cake.

Storage / Leftovers Tips

Store your finished hershey's chocolate cake recipe in an airtight container or cake keeper at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 1 week—bring to room temperature 30 minutes before serving for the best flavor and texture.

For freezing, wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. This homemade hershey chocolate cake recipe actually freezes beautifully, making it perfect for advance preparation for birthdays and celebrations.

To refresh refrigerated cake, microwave individual slices for 10-15 seconds to restore softness. The frosting may firm up in the fridge, but it will soften again at room temperature. Store unfrosted cake layers separately wrapped in the freezer, then frost when needed for the freshest possible presentation.