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For chocoholics, there’s nothing better than a tender, moist chocolate sponge cake. This classic treat brings together a deep, rich chocolate flavor with a light and fluffy texture that melts in your mouth.
While chocolate cakes often dry out quickly, this recipe produces a super moist chocolate sponge cake that stays soft and delicious for days. Read on to learn the secrets behind creating the ultimate chocolate sponge cake at home.
The best ingredients for Moist, fudgy chocolate cake when making any chocolate cake recipe, high quality ingredients are key. Here are some tips for choosing ingredients to ensure moist chocolate bliss:
Dark Cocoa Powder – Use a high quality dark cocoa powder rather than drink mix cocoa. Dark cocoa like Guittard or Valrhona provides more intense chocolate flavor.
Butter – The rich taste of butter enhances chocolate better than oil. Use unsalted butter to control saltiness.
Eggs – Whole eggs add moisture and structure. For ultimate richness, look for pasture-raised eggs.
Full-Fat Milk – The fat in whole milk gives more moistness than low-fat or skim versions. Warmed milk also helps dissolve the cocoa powder.
Granulated Sugar – While powdered and brown sugars work, regular granulated sugar makes the lightest, fluffiest sponge cake.
Vanilla Extract – Real vanilla extract boosts chocolate’s flavor. Use imitation extract sparingly as the alcohol can dry out the cake.
Tips for Making a Perfect Moist Chocolate Sponge Cake
Tips for a perfectly moist cake crumb achieving a tender, moist crumb without dryness or gumminess requires a few key considerations:
- Don’t overmix the batter. Gentle folding preserves the air bubbles that create lightness.
- Check doneness early to prevent overbaking.
- Add an extra egg yolk or two for extra moisture and richness.
- Brush cooled cakes with simple syrup for an extra moist cake.
- Store cakes covered at room temperature, not refrigerated. Fridge dries cakes out.
With the proper ingredients and techniques, you can create chocolaty sponge cake perfection at home. Adjust the recipe as desired with nuts, espresso powder, or liqueurs to make it your own!
What Is the Difference Between Sponge Cake and Moist Cake?
The main difference between sponge cake and moist cake comes down to their textures and ingredients. Sponge cakes get their name from their light and airy texture, achieved by whipping eggs into the batter which gives it rise.
Sponge cakes use only eggs as the leavening agent and tend to have fewer eggs than moist cakes. Moist cakes rely on additional leaveners like baking powder or baking soda rather than just eggs.
They have a dense, soft crumb and often contain more fat from ingredients like oil or butter. Moist cakes also tend to include liquids like milk or juice to add moisture. While sponge cakes get their lift from whipped eggs, moist cakes’ rise comes from chemical leaveners and extra fat.
Moist Chocolate Sponge Cake
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ⅔ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup full-fat milk (warmed)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease two 8 or 9 inch cake pans and line with parchment.
- Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.2 cups all-purpose flour, ⅔ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1½ tsp baking powder, 1 tsp baking soda, ½ tsp salt
- With electric mixer, cream butter and sugar 3-5 minutes until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time.3 large eggs
- Stir in vanilla.Whisk 1/2 cup milk into cocoa powder until smooth paste forms.1 cup full-fat milk (warmed), 1½ tsp vanilla extract
- Add flour mixture and milk paste alternately in batches to butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour.
- Fold gently after each addition just until combined.Divide batter evenly between prepared pans.
- Bake 30-35 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes clean.
- Cool in pans 10 minutes before inverting onto wire racks. Cool completely before frosting.
- Enjoy this rich, chocolatey sponge cake on its own or top it with chocolate ganache, buttercream, or your favorite frosting!
