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    Create Bake Make / Cakes and Muffins / Simple Chocolate Cake Recipe | Nan’s Recipe

    Simple Chocolate Cake Recipe | Nan’s Recipe

    Published: Sep 10, 2014 · Modified: Jul 26, 2021 by Lauren Matheson ·

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    Looking for the best simple Chocolate Cake recipe? Well you’ve found it! This moist and light Chocolate Cake is made using seven basic ingredients and will be ready to enjoy in less than one hour. This cake is versatile and can be doubled, halved or even made into cupcakes. You can also freeze this cake when it is both iced and un-iced.

    overhead view of chocolate cake

    One of the first recipes I shared on the blog was for my Great Nan’s Chocolate Cake.  That was year ago and it’s time to revamp it. This is a recipe I grew up with, enjoying cakes made by both my Nan and then my Mum.  My sister and I would sit on the kitchen bench, eagerly helping Mum sift ingredients, add them to the bowl and then fight over who got to lick the spoon.

    Why you will love this recipe:

    • Cooking with Kids – It’s a great recipe to make with kids, with sifting, melting, stirring and egg cracking involved.  I’ve never had a failure when making this cake, it really is that easy to throw together.
    • Versatile – I like to make it in an 18 x 28cm slice tin or a loaf tin, but you can really bake it any sized tin. In the past we’ve used round, ring and slice tins – you just need to adjust the baking time.
    • Budget – this Chocolate Cake doesn’t actually include any chocolate and just a few simple ingredients is all that you will need.
    • Freezer friendly – this cake can be frozen for up to three months.
    Child reaching for a slice of chocolate cake

    How to Make this Simple Chocolate Cake Recipe:

    This Chocolate Cake honestly couldn’t be easier to make, all you need to do is:

    1. Melt the butter
    2. Add the remaining ingredients and mix until smooth.
    3. Transfer to your prepared baking dish and bake until cooked through when tested with a skewer.
    Collage showing images of how to make a chocolate cake

    Tips for making my Nan’s Simple Chocolate Cake:

    • You can use a variety of cake tins for this recipe, please not the baking time will vary if using a different tin to the one specified in the method below.
    • I like to make this simple Chocolate Cake using a slice tin as it goes further and cuts into smaller size pieces which is great for the kids.
    • This cake can be baked in a variety of cake tins, please note the cooking time will vary if using a tin other than the one specified in the method below.
    • You can freeze this cake either iced or un-iced for up to three months.
    • You can also make this recipe as muffins, find the cooking instructions here.
    • The BEST way to enjoy this cake however, is by cutting off a big end piece (the best slice!) while it’s still warm and alongside a glass of milk – yum!
    • Ice cake using this easy Chocolate Icing recipe and decorate as desired.
    • You can find the Thermomix instructions for this recipe here.
    overhead view of chocolate cake

    More Easy Cake Recipes:

    • One Bowl Lemon Cake
    • Orange Cake Recipe
    • Vanilla Butter Cake
    • Magic Custard Cake Recipe
    • Butterfly Cakes
    • Simple Strawberry Cupcakes
    • Lemon and Poppy Seed Cake
    • One Bowl Banana and Strawberry Bread
    • Double Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe
    overhead view of chocolate cake

    Nan’s Chocolate Cake – Back to Basics

    Lauren
    This moist and light Chocolate Cake is made using seven basic ingredients and will be ready to enjoy in less than one hour. This cake is versatile and can be doubled, halved or even made into cupcakes. You can also freeze this cake when it is both iced and un-iced.
    4.25 from 24 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 35 mins
    Total Time 50 mins
    Course Snacks
    Cuisine Australian
    Servings 12 people
    Calories 119 kcal

    Equipment

    • Loaf Tin

    Ingredients
      

    • 90 grams butter
    • 2 tablespoons cocoa
    • 2 eggs
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ¾ cup caster sugar
    • 1 & ¼ cups self raising flour
    • ½ cup of milk

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat your oven to 170 degrees celsius (fan forced) and line the base of a loaf tin.
    • Melt the butter in the microwave and set aside to cool slightly.
    • Sift flour and cocoa into the bowl of an electric mixer, then add all the other ingredients.
    • Beat for approximately 2 -3 minutes until ingredients have all combined and the mixture is smooth.
    • Pour into the cake tin and bake for 35 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean.
    • Allow cake to cool in the tin for five minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

    Notes

    • I like to make this simple Chocolate Cake using a slice tin as it goes further and cuts into smaller size pieces which is great for the kids.
    • This cake can be baked in a variety of cake tins, please note the cooking time will vary if using a tin other than the one specified in the method below.
    • You can freeze this cake either iced or un-iced for up to three months.
    • You can also make this recipe as muffins, find the cooking instructions here.
    • The BEST way to enjoy this cake however, is by cutting off a big end piece (the best slice!) while it’s still warm and alongside a glass of milk – yum!
    • You can find the Thermomix instructions for this recipe here.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 0gCalories: 119kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 3gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 23mgPotassium: 60mgFiber: 1gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 69IUCalcium: 27mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword Budget Recipes, Cakes
    Tried this recipe? Please leave a rating and tag me on Instagram! Mention @createbakemake or tag #createbakemake!

    Looking for even more?

    You can find more easy family recipes in our books and eBooks – shop the collection here.

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    « Make your own Play Dough
    How to make Buttercream Icing – Back to basics »

    Filed Under: Baking, Cakes and Muffins, Chocolate, Desserts, Lunchbox Ideas, Snacks & Treats

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Fiona

      July 14, 2020 at 9:12 am

      5 stars
      Hello – I feel I had to leave a review for this cake….because it’s so darn easy and delicious.
      I make a double recipe and bake in a large round tin, but also make it as a (lopsided) slice!
      If I have taken this cake to a party or given to friends with a cuppa, then I always get asked for the recipe.
      I use the simple icing with 100’s & 1000’s and a busk if whipped cream.
      I’m about to try your apple and cinnamon loaf.
      Thanks for the recipes that are real, delicious and achievable .

      Reply
      • Lauren Matheson

        July 15, 2020 at 11:30 am

        Thank you so much for your feedback Fiona, I really appreciate it x

        Reply
    2. Robyn

      January 21, 2016 at 12:56 pm

      Just about to make this for afternoon tea!! I have 7 children today!!!!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        January 24, 2016 at 3:42 pm

        Oh my goodness you poor woman – 7 kids is crazy ?!

        Reply
    3. Lucy @ Bake Play Smile

      September 12, 2014 at 7:37 am

      Yum! I love a simple chocolate cake – just beautiful! Your nan must have been a great person to cook with. xx

      Reply
    4. vegeTARAian

      September 11, 2014 at 8:06 pm

      This sounds so easy, it’s bound to be perfect! I love the simplicity of recipes from the past. Looks fab too.

      Reply

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    Lauren placing sprinkles onto cupcakes in her kitchen

    Hi, I'm Lauren! As a Mum of three VERY hungry boys, I know what it’s like to need dinner on the the table FAST. All of my recipes are made using simple ingredients and you will also find both conventional and Thermomix cooking instructions.

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