There’s nothing quite like a warm, gooey chocolate cake with just the right amount of frosting. Whether it’s for a special occasion or just to treat yourself, this dessert is one of the most popular cakes on the planet and for good reason! But making a chocolate cake isn’t as simple as grabbing a box mix at the store. The perfect cake is tender, dense, and rich—and you can only get those things by mastering the art of baking a cake from scratch. In this article, we’ll take you through some of the pro tips that bakers use to create a moist and delicious chocolate cake every time.

To make a chocolate cake from scratch, it’s important to have all of your ingredients at room temperature before you start. This helps to ensure that everything is mixed evenly and the batter is smooth.

It’s also a good idea to stir the dry ingredients together before adding any of the wet ones. This will help to aerate the flour and create a light, fluffy texture that’s essential for a chocolate cake.

When it comes to making a chocolate cake, the type of cocoa powder you choose makes a huge difference. Unsweetened cocoa powder is the classic choice, but higher-quality options from artisan chocolatiers or specialty stores can give you an even more intense flavor.

Another key ingredient to a moist chocolate cake is milk. The fat content in milk can help to give cakes structure and a soft crumb, so it’s a must for all cake recipes. Lastly, oil can be added to cakes to add extra moisture. However, it’s important to use an oil that doesn’t have a strong taste so that the cake doesn’t end up with too much of a flavored additive.

While this recipe calls for butter, it can be substituted with a combination of equal parts sour cream and vegetable oil for an oil-free cake that’s still super moist. The sour cream contributes dairy notes and richness to the cake, and the oil helps keep the finished cake super smooth and soft.

To get the most moist cake, it’s important to follow the baking instructions closely. The cake should be baked until a toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. The actual baking time can vary depending on your oven’s accuracy, the type of pan you’re using, and the altitude at which you live.

Once the cake is baked, it’s a good idea to cool it completely before frosting. This will allow the frosting to set properly, which is essential for a smooth and even finish. To speed up the cooling process, you can put the cake in the refrigerator for a few hours before frosting it.

If you’re a beginner or an experienced baker, this chocolate cake recipe is one of the easiest to succeed with. It’s simple to prepare and uses some of the most foolproof techniques that bakers use to achieve a professional-quality result. You’ll be able to whip up this cake quickly for a last-minute birthday party, unexpected company, or just because you need something sweet.