This moist, delicious Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake is an easy cake recipe that is perfect for special occasions. Made with only 7 ingredients, it can be ready in 30 minutes and is as quick and easy as a cake mix. and will be devoured even quicker. It has a deep, dark, rich and chocolate flavor pairs perfectly with this chocolate buttercream frosting.
Say goodbye to cake mixes, and hello to homemade chocolate cake. This is the easiest recipe out there that is a no-fail recipe made from scratch. Just dump, mix and bake. The flavor is out of this world delicious and has been a favorite of mine since childhood.
An easy chocolate cake recipe for special occasions
Every year, on my birthday, my Nanny would make me my favorite cake. I always asked for Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake. Depending on my mood I would ask for different types of frosting. Two of my favorites would be chocolate or caramel frosting.
I have always thought of this Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake as a special occasion only cake and would make it whenever we had a special family event. While the frosting may not always chocolate, the cake recipe was. This will always be my forever favorite cake recipe.
What you need to make a Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake
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The two major ingredients that make this Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake are Cocoa Powder and Mayonnaise. Flour, sugar, baking soda, and vanilla are also ingredients, but I don't stick to any one brand for any of those for this cake. I make it with what I have in the cupboard.
Cocoa Powder: I use natural cocoa powder for the most part, but have also used dutch process cocoa. Both are great, but I prefer the dutch process cocoa for its deeper chocolate color and flavor.
Mayonnaise: This is the ingredient that takes place of the oil and eggs in the cake recipe. Many people have strong feelings about mayonnaise, and I have seen many people turn their nose up at the cake name because of it.
Mayonnaise is basically an emulsion of oil and eggs. It gives the cake a moistness and rich flavor that cannot be beaten. Everyone has their own opinion on what mayonnaise is best. My favorite is this brand.
8"Cake Pans are the best choice for this particular recipe. I have made it in 9" and the cake is too flat for my liking.
Cake Tips for the best results
- Use a full-fat mayonnaise. Whatever brand you prefer should be fine, but I do not recommend Miracle Whip as it has a sweetness to it that will change the flavor or the cake.
- Use a hand mixer to blend the ingredients together, however, don't over mix. Once the dry and wet ingredients are fully incorporated, stop mixing.
- Line the bottom of the cake pan with parchment paper. I do this with regular and non-stick cake pans just to be on the safe side.
- Let the cake cool at least 15 minutes before removing from the cake pan. Then turn it out onto a cooling rack, remove the parchment paper from the bottom, and let it cool completely before frosting.
Cake frostings you may like
When it comes to a frosting recipe, you can use whatever your favorite one is. I have several frostings that are my go tos when making this cake.
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting is one of our favorite icing recipes and is the one pictured on this particular post.
Peanut Butter Oreo Frosting is creamy and delicious with bits of Oreo cookie in the frosting.
Almond Cream Cheese Frosting is creamy, easy to spread, and delicious.
Bailey's Irish Cream Frosting will add a little nip of booze in the frosting and is so creamy and delicious!
Caramel Frosting is like a nice thick piece of fudge coating a moist and delicious cake!
*If you made this recipe for Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake, please give it a star rating*
Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1-¼ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder
- 1-½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup Mayonnaise
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Spray two round 8-inch cake pans with cooking spray, line with parchment paper, then coat with cooking spray once again.
- In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, sugar, and cocoa powder.
- Add the mayonnaise, water, and vanilla to the flour mixture and mix with an electric mixer until dry ingredients are just combined. Scrape the bowl to be sure to get all of the flour incorporated and the batter is smooth.
- Pour the batter into prepared pans and bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Transfer the cake to wire racks and cool completely before frosting or storing. If unfrosted, store airtight at room temperature for up to 3 days; freeze for longer storage.
Medena
I have tagged you! It is interesting, check out my blog for instructions!
HoneyB
Vinty & Dana - yes, that is seven minute frosting, so delish! 🙂
Brianna
Could this be turned into a Keto cake by subbing the flour with almond flour and a natural sugar substitute?
Shelby Law Ruttan
Hi Brianna, I have not tested a large cake as keto and I do think you would need to probably make other adjustments, such as more almond flour and possibly add eggs to help with the rise. I can't tell you what exact adjustments to make as I haven't tested it myself. However, I do have a microwave keto mayonnaise cake on my website (under keto desserts) that is for two and it's very highly rated. Shelby
Dana McCauley
Fun! Sounds like a great party.
Mayo cakes are so retro. Is that 7 minute frosting? Perfect choice if it is.
noble pig
Mayonnaise cake! Are you kidding? My favorite ingredient of all time...just sounds perfect.
familiabencomo
Hi there, HoneyB! I just tagged you for an award 😉 and a new recipe tag. You are such a fun-lov'n dear!
xoxox Amy
Bellini Valli
I have never made a mayo cake, but I have seen them in magazines. This may be the push I need to give it a try...too bad I am trying (but unsuccessfully) to avoid sweets:D
Carrie
Looks good! I never heard of a mayonnaise cake until a couple of months ago...at first I thought it was bizarre sounding but then I realized how common they are in other places.
Sounds like you have some sweet students there. 🙂
Creating Myself
Your cake is beautiful! Is that 7 minute icing? How sweet the boys were to you...you deserve it!
SaraLynn
Awwww...how sweet!!!
And that cake looks divine!!!!!!!!
HoneyB
Chocolate shavings - yes, the mayo does contribute to a moist cake..if you think about what may is made of, like Medena states above, it makes sense! 🙂
chocolate shavings
You got me intrigued just by the title! Does the mayonnaise help make the cake moist?
Anonymous
Shelby, I just love Croghan Bologna! Sometimes we take a trip up to Croghan to get it at "the source". It's not always easy to find anywhere else for us. - edlear
Kevin
I don't think that I have ever had a mayonnaise cake but it sounds really interesting. I will have to try it!
Medena
Oh my, this cake is for me! I'll bake you some breads, and you bake me this cake, how's that?
At first I was like "Mayo CAKE"!!!
Then I read your post, and realized after just thinking what mayo is made of, it all clicked. Looks delicious!
Barbara Bakes
This is the first time I've heard of a mayonnaise cake. I imagine it makes it very moist, like adding sour cream. It looks delicious!
familiabencomo
Ooooh, yum! I wish the ladies I worked with at my alma mater had been as nice to me! You are such a good soul. I'll have to try this mayo cake - I've heard good things about it.
xoxox Amy