Velvet Chocolate Mayonnaise Dream Cake

Prepare to embark on a delightful culinary journey with a timeless classic: the Old-Fashioned Super-Moist Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake with Decadent Chocolate Buttercream Frosting. This isn’t just any chocolate cake; it’s a testament to ingenuity and flavor, promising an unparalleled moistness that will have everyone asking for your secret. Trust us, once you try this recipe, it will become a cherished favorite for every celebration and craving.

The true magic of this incredibly moist chocolate cake lies in its unexpected, yet brilliant, secret ingredient: mayonnaise! Yes, you read that correctly – mayonnaise is the key to achieving a remarkably tender and rich crumb, perfectly complemented by a luscious chocolate buttercream frosting. This exceptional recipe also earned its place in our collection of 30 Mother’s Day Desserts for Mom, highlighting its universal appeal.

The Surprising Secret to the Best Moist Chocolate Cake!

Could you ever imagine that mayonnaise would be the star ingredient in a chocolate cake? This isn’t a modern fad, but a clever baking trick with a rich history. The Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake first gained widespread popularity during the Depression-era (1929-1939). In those challenging times, resourceful home bakers sought economic substitutions for costly ingredients like butter and milk. Mayonnaise, readily available and often promoted by brands like Best Foods/Hellmann’s, became the perfect solution. It not only provided a cost-effective alternative but also served as a fantastic stand-in for other popular moistening agents of the time, such as sour cream, sour milk, and buttermilk.

Why Mayonnaise Makes the Ultimate Chocolate Cake

• A Time-Tested Baking Hack: Beyond its historical significance, using mayonnaise in cake batter is a classic “cat-in-the-hat” baking trick that predates modern cake mixes. It consistently delivers a chocolate cake that is incredibly fudgy, intensely rich, and unbelievably moist.
• The Science of Super Moistness: Mayonnaise is essentially a stable emulsion of oil, vinegar, and egg. Each component plays a crucial role in transforming your cake:
  • Oil: The oil content in mayonnaise contributes significantly to the cake’s tender texture and deep moisture, ensuring a soft, melt-in-your-mouth experience.
  • Egg: The egg helps the batter retain moisture, resulting in a plush and resilient crumb that stays fresh longer.
  • Vinegar: The acidity from the vinegar reacts with baking soda, promoting a light and airy texture. More importantly, it remarkably enhances and brightens the complex flavors of chocolate, making the cocoa notes truly sing.

  As The Kitchn expertly points out, it’s this unique combination that elevates a simple chocolate cake to an extraordinary dessert.

• No Mayonnaise Taste, Guaranteed: For those hesitant about the idea of mayonnaise in a sweet dessert, rest assured: you will not taste the mayonnaise at all! Its role is purely functional, acting as a “super power” ingredient to impart that desirable super-moist texture and rich flavor profile without leaving any savory notes behind.
• Mayonnaise as a Cake Mix Substitute: Interestingly, mayonnaise can even be substituted for the oil and eggs in many commercial cake mixes. For more insights on this versatile hack, Duncan Hines offers valuable tips, proving just how effective this ingredient is in ensuring a moist and delicious outcome every time.

The Perfect Companion: Decadent Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

And let’s not overlook the star of the show’s crowning glory: the luscious Chocolate Buttercream Frosting. Oh my goodness! This dreamy frosting is the perfect pairing for our incredibly moist chocolate mayonnaise cake. Its creamy texture and rich chocolate flavor create an irresistible combination that elevates every bite. This combination is truly the ultimate chocolate lover’s dream and makes for a perfect birthday cake or any festive occasion.

If you’re exploring other baking options, you might enjoy this Easy Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake From Scratch, offering a wonderful alternative for those with dietary preferences.

Essential Ingredients for the Best Super-Moist Chocolate Cake

Crafting this incredible chocolate cake requires a careful selection of ingredients, ensuring both profound flavor and that signature moist texture. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Super-Moist Chocolate Cake:

• Bittersweet Chocolate: 2 ounces, chopped (ensure it does not exceed 61% cacao for optimal flavor balance).
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: 1 cup (either Hershey’s Special Dark or regular unsweetened cocoa powder).
• Boiling Water: 1 ¾ cups.
• All-Purpose Flour: 2 ¾ cups (high-quality, all-purpose flour).
• Baking Soda: 1 ¼ teaspoons (fresh baking soda for proper leavening).
• Baking Powder: ¼ teaspoon (double-acting baking powder).
• Granulated Sugar: 1 cup (fine granulated sugar).
• Brown Sugar: 1 cup, packed (light or dark brown sugar adds depth of flavor).
• Mayonnaise: 1 ⅓ cups (full-fat mayonnaise like Hellmann’s or Best Foods; do NOT use reduced-fat, fat-free, or Miracle Whip, as their composition will alter the cake’s texture).
• Large Eggs: 2, at room temperature (this ensures better emulsification).
• Vanilla Extract: 2 teaspoons (pure vanilla extract for best flavor).

For the Rich Chocolate Buttercream Frosting:

• Butter: 1 ¼ cups, softened (unsalted butter is preferred, as you can control the salt level).
• Powdered Sugar: 4 ½ cups (confectioners’ sugar, sifted to prevent lumps).
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: ¾ to 1 cup (adjust to your desired darkness; for a truly dark frosting, use about 4 tablespoons of Hershey’s Special Dark cocoa).
• Vanilla Extract: 2 teaspoons.
• Milk or Heavy Cream: ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons (adjust consistency as needed).

Crafting the Best Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating this masterpiece is simpler than you might think. Follow these detailed instructions to achieve a flawlessly moist and delicious cake every time.

Instructions for the Super-Moist Chocolate Cake:

1. Prepare Your Oven and Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously grease and flour three 8-inch diameter cake pans with 1 ½-inch-high sides, or two 9-inch round cake pans. This crucial step prevents sticking and ensures easy release.
2. Create the Chocolate Base: In a medium-sized heatproof bowl, combine the chopped bittersweet chocolate and unsweetened cocoa powder. Carefully whisk in the boiling water until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy. Set this aside to cool slightly.
3. Sift Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Sifting ensures there are no lumps and that the leavening agents are evenly distributed. Set this mixture aside.
4. Cream Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat both the granulated sugar and brown sugar together with the mayonnaise. Beat for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture is light in color and well blended. This step incorporates air and begins to create a smooth batter.
5. Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla: Add the large eggs to the sugar-mayonnaise mixture, one at a time. Beat well after each addition until fully incorporated. Finally, beat in the vanilla extract, ensuring it’s evenly distributed throughout the batter.
6. Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the sifted flour mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the cooled chocolate mixture. Begin and end with the flour mixture. Beat on low speed until just blended after each addition. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to a tough cake. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
7. Bake to Perfection: Divide the cake batter evenly among your prepared pans. Place them in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean.
8. Cooling Process: Once baked, remove the cakes from the oven and let them cool in their pans on wire racks for approximately 20 minutes. This allows the cakes to firm up slightly before removal.
9. Loosen and Fully Cool: After 20 minutes, run a small, thin knife around the sides of each cake to gently loosen it from the pan. Carefully invert the cakes onto the wire racks and let them cool completely. It’s essential that the cakes are entirely cool before frosting to prevent the buttercream from melting.
10. Frost When Ready: Once the cake layers are completely cooled, they are ready for frosting.

Instructions for the Luxurious Chocolate Buttercream Frosting:

1. Prepare the Buttercream: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, cream the softened butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract. Begin mixing on low speed until combined, then increase to medium-high and beat until the frosting is smooth, light, and creamy.
2. Adjust Consistency: Slowly add the milk or heavy cream, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired frosting consistency. You might need slightly more or less depending on environmental factors. Beat until well-incorporated and fluffy.
3. Assemble the Cake: Place the first cooled cake layer on your serving platter or cake stand. Spread a generous amount of chocolate buttercream over the top.
4. Stack Layers: Carefully place the second cake layer on top of the frosted first layer. If you used three pans, repeat with the third layer.
5. Final Frosting: Frost the sides and top of the entire cake, smoothing the buttercream with an offset spatula or knife for a professional finish.
6. Decorate (Optional): If desired, decorate your beautiful chocolate mayonnaise cake with sprinkles, chocolate shavings, or fresh berries for an extra touch of elegance.
7. Serve and Enjoy: This recipe yields approximately 10-12 generous servings of pure chocolate bliss!

Embrace the Classic: Your New Favorite Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

There’s an undeniable charm and satisfaction in baking and enjoying this classic Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting. It has stood the test of time for a reason, consistently delivering a moistness and richness that makes it one of our absolute favorite chocolate cake recipes. Its simplicity, combined with its profound flavor, ensures it will always be a crowd-pleaser. Whether it’s for birthdays, lively parties, casual potlucks, or simply to satisfy an intense chocoholic craving, this cake is an absolute winner. Prepare for sighs of contentment and requests for the recipe!

For another delightful and incredibly easy option, you might also love our Super Easy Chocolate Cake Recipe with Chocolate Frosting.

More Cake Love Just For You!

Craving more amazing cake ideas? Explore these other fantastic recipes from our collection:

• “American Beauty” Retro Red Velvet Cake
• Double Dark Chocolate Banana Snack Cake (You won’t be able to stop eating it!)
• Ultimate Carrot Cake
• Sinful Triple Chocolate Fudge Poke Cake
• Decadent Red Wine Chocolate Cake
• Ultimate Fresh Pineapple Upside Down Cake
• Halloween Black Magic Candy Cake!
• Raspberry Cream Jello Poke Cake
• Super-Moist Vanilla Cake with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting!
• 3 Easy Halloween Cupcake Ideas
• Strawberry Dream Cake

This wonderful recipe was adapted from A Bountiful Kitchen.