Hey Lykkers, do you remember the smell of cake baking in the oven when you were a kid? That warm, chocolatey scent that filled the house and made you want to sneak a taste of the batter from the spoon?
For me, it was my mom's go-to chocolate cake—simple, rich, and filled with love. Today, I want to share that exact cake with you. It's easy enough for beginners, doesn't need a mixer, and it's perfect for making sweet memories with your own family.
A cake that started at school
Back when I was in elementary school in Ecuador, our class would raise money for our end-of-year trip by selling food during recess. One of our most popular items? This exact chocolate cake. My mom would bake it whenever it was my turn, and it would sell out before the break was over. She also made it for birthday parties and get-togethers, and it became a family tradition. For years, I thought it was a complicated recipe. Turns out, it's actually one of the simplest cakes you can make.
Simple ingredients, no fancy tools
You don't need any fancy equipment—just a spoon, a bowl, and an oven. No eggs, no mixer. The ingredients are super common and budget-friendly:
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• 5 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 6 tablespoons melted butter or oil
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup warm water
Let's get baking
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9-inch round baking pan.
Now in a medium mixing bowl, sift the flour. Then stir in the cocoa powder and sugar. Mix the salt and baking soda into it as well.
Here comes the fun part—dig three little holes in the dry mix: one big for the butter or oil, and two smaller ones for the vinegar and vanilla. Pour in the warm water and stir everything together with a spoon until it turns into a smooth batter. That's it!
Pour the batter into your pan and bake for about 30 minutes. You'll know it's ready when a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.
Time to frost
While the cake cools, let's whip up a quick chocolate ganache. You'll need:
• 6 oz of semi-sweet or dark chocolate, chopped
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon cream
Melt the butter over very low heat in a small pan. Add the chocolate chunks and keep stirring gently. Once everything melts, stir in the cream until it's smooth and glossy. Let it cool a bit before using.
Spread the ganache over the top and sides of the cake with a spatula. You can serve the cake in the pan or gently lift it out. Either way, it's going to look and taste amazing.
How to top it off?
Want to make your cake look extra special? Try these toppings:
• Fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
• A sprinkle of powdered sugar
• Chocolate shavings
• Toasted shredded coconut
These add color, texture, and even more flavor. Personally, I love the combo of chocolate and berries—it's always a winner.
Small cake, big heart
This recipe makes one small 9-inch round cake. If you want to bake for a bigger crowd, you can double the ingredients. A larger pan (like 9x13 inches) will need about 45 minutes in the oven.
And here's something cool: if you use oil instead of butter, this cake becomes completely dairy-free. The taste is just as rich—I promise. My mom sometimes mixes butter with melted unsweetened chocolate for an extra deep flavor, but the basic version works beautifully too.
From our kitchen to yours
Lykkers, this isn't just a recipe—it's a piece of our childhood. A reminder of school bake sales, birthday parties, and cozy afternoons. It's the kind of cake that brings people together, whether you're baking it with your kids, sharing it at a potluck, or enjoying it alone with a cup of tea.
Have you tried baking with your little ones yet? Or maybe you've got a twist on this recipe you love? Let's chat in the comments—we'd love to hear how your version turns out. Happy baking!
