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Home - Cake - Chocolate Cake Recipes

Published: Jan 24, 2018 · Modified: Oct 13, 2021 by Amanda Powell · This post may contain affiliate links.

Chocolate Loaf Cake

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A simple chocolate loaf cake that is a cinch to bake up - and you'll love that it is still wholesome enough to have as a special breakfast!

chocolate ganache being drizzled over loaf

I am always searching for solid recipes that I know I can trust and go back to again and again. When I found this chocolate loaf cake from the Fall/Winter Simple Fare cookbook by Karen Mordechai, I knew I had an instant winner on my hands.

Ingredients

My favorite part about this cake is how simple the ingredients are.

  • Cocoa powder - It's surprising that this cake doesn't require a ton of cocoa powder, and yet it is still chocolaty. I've been using Dutch-processed cocoa powder because I feel it has a deeper chocolate flavor, and plus, look at that color! Natural cocoa powder works well here too though!
  • Flour - I prefer all-purpose flour for a texture that is sturdy enough that this wonderfully moist cake doesn't collapse the second you slice it, but isn't too tough that the cake turns rubbery.
  • Sugar - I prefer regular granulated sugar, but I've heard people using light brown sugar turbinado, and even coconut sugar with success. Just know something like brown sugar will give you a light molasses flavor, which actually does pair well with the chocolate. If 1 cup is too much, you can try cutting back to ¾ cup.
  • Baking soda - We use this to leaven the cake. Just the right amount gets us that wonderful texture inside.
  • Salt - I like to use sea salt in all my baking. I feel it does the best with bringing out the flavors in everything.
  • Oil - The original recipe calls for refined coconut oil, but I use any neutral-flavored oil I have available.
  • Espresso - This helps bring out the flavors of the chocolate. I will use regular coffee sometimes. When I made my most recent loaves, I've been using 1 tablespoon instant coffee and enough water to make ¼ cup coffee and the flavor is incredible.
  • Vanilla - The vanilla balances the chocolate. If you really want some incredible flavor, you can also add a teaspoon of chocolate extract.
  • Vinegar - The vinegar is important to give the cake rise. Since we have no acid for the baking soda to react with when we use Dutch-processed cocoa powder, we have to add in our own acidity. I prefer white vinegar, but apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar will work in a pinch.
  • Water - We use it to add more moisture and get the batter to just the right texture without any dairy that can interfere with that pure chocolate goodness.
close up inside of chocolate cake

Why it works

This chocolate loaf cake is actually vegan! I'm not vegan, but I think that's a very big plus because now I have a delicious cake I can serve to more people and trust it will be enjoyed.

It only takes 10 minutes to prep, and is quick to bake up. It is also forgiving enough to withstand a little over baking. In short, it's the perfect recipe for a beginner baker, while still being delicious enough to appeal to everyone.

overhead showing off slices of the chocolate cake

How to make

Mixing together this cake is ridiculously easy. It's just a matter of mixing together the dry ingredients, then mixing together the wet ingredients before combining the wet and dry together. Liberally grease and flour a 9 x 5 loaf pan and bake!

The most important thing is to remember to preheat your oven so you can bake your loaf cake the moment it is mixed together.

The reaction between the baking soda and vinegar works fast and waiting for the oven to heat up will mean we lose out on some of that chemical reaction resulting in a denser and smaller cake.

close up macro showing cake slices

Serving tips

I ate mine with a nice dollop of creme fraiche as is recommended in the cookbook and it manages to make an incredible recipe that much more amazing.

You can also toast up slices (although it's my personal recommendation to enjoy how melt-in-your-mouth moist the cake is first) and slather with butter and spices.

The original recipe is also plain, but in my photos, I decided to add a topping of a delicious ganache. It really makes it loaf more decadent and perfect if you want it as a dessert.

slices of cake on plate with bite missing

Storage tips

Typically, I keep my cake my cake in an airtight container, or wrap well in aluminum foil. It will last for about 4 days this way.

You can freeze this cake, too! Keep it in an airtight container and freeze for up to a month. To thaw, leave it at room temperature for a few hours.

slice of cake with bite missing

Related recipes

If you love this recipe you may love my coffee-flavored cake or coffee cupcakes. My chocolate olive oil cake is also really good. The chocolate dutch baby, chocolate madeleines, and edible brownie batter are all really popular. You should also check out my chocolate frosting, giant double chocolate cookies, and double chocolate cupcakes.

Recipe Card

This simple chocolate loaf cake is the perfect excuse to have chocolate for breakfast

Chocolate Loaf Cake

Amanda Powell
A rich, moist chocolate loaf cake that is healthy enough for breakfast!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 50 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr
Course Cake
Cuisine American
Servings 1 loaf
Calories 183 kcal
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients
  

  • ¼ cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ⅓ cup vegetable oil
  • ¼ cup espresso room temperature*
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 1 cup water
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper or grease and flour.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together the cocoa powder, flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt together. Set aside. 
  • In a separate bowl, mix together the coconut oil, espresso, vanilla, vinegar, and water until well combined. 
  • Stir in the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. 
  • Pour the batter into the baking pan and bake for 50 - 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. 

Video

Notes

*Leftover coffee also works!

Nutrition

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 183kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 2gFat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 195mgFiber: 1gSugar: 17g
Keyword cake, chocolate, chocolate cake, dessert, loaf, vegan
Tried this recipe?Tag me on Instagram! @acookienameddesire #acookienameddesire

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About Amanda Powell

Baker, photographer, and sometimes world traveler behind A Cookie Named Desire. Obsessed with helping people live life sweetly with delicious food to share with the special people in your life and creating lasting memories.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. KO says

    September 30, 2024 at 12:48 am

    Aloha Amanda!
    I really enjoyed this recipe without eggs or milk, my BF really liked it too! I did make an easy “powdered peanut butter” glaze to top it. He loves chocolate and peanut butter so I used 1 Tbs softened butter, 1/2 cup PBfit peanut butter powder, 3/4 cup or more powdered sugar and almond milk to your consistency and glazed the cake/loaf it was amazing! Thank you so much for this recipe!4 stars

    Reply
  2. Priti Maniar says

    April 18, 2024 at 4:41 am

    Can I use this recipe to bake a sheet pan cake? If yes, what would be the baking time?

    Reply
    • Amanda Powell says

      May 08, 2024 at 2:18 pm

      You should be able to, I would recommend you start checking after about 12 minutes, but I cannot give you an accurate bake time as I haven't tried it myself!

      Reply
  3. Marilynne says

    March 17, 2024 at 5:34 am

    Haven't tried it yet. In the ingredients you list vegetable oil. In the directions you use coconut oil. Is there a difference in the taste? I've never used coconut oil.

    Reply
    • Amanda Powell says

      May 08, 2024 at 2:22 pm

      I apologize for the late response,I was in the process of moving out of state. You can use refined coconut oil and it has no taste. Any neutral oil works!

      Reply
  4. Emma Sestito says

    March 20, 2023 at 9:22 pm

    Super easy and delicious cake. No eggs, perfect because they are expensive. I’m really happy with this loaf. I’m going to make it again for Easter5 stars

    Reply
  5. doris says

    July 25, 2022 at 9:47 pm

    cake looks good except I won't be adding the coffee to it

    Reply
  6. doris says

    July 24, 2022 at 8:41 am

    the cake looks good but I wouldn't add the coffee since I don' drink the stuff

    Reply
  7. Siddharth dilawri says

    June 20, 2022 at 2:38 am

    Just made it and it’s soooo delicious!! Thank you so much!5 stars

    Reply
  8. Enja says

    February 15, 2022 at 4:33 am

    This was lovely! I was looking for a quick chocolate hit on a rainy afternoon and this ticked the box. Unfortunately I skimped on the sugar (despite the recipe saying I shouldn't use less than 3/4 of a cup I used only half a cup) and I think I will not be doing that again... It was still a good cake and we all enjoyed it, but it could have been a bit sweeter. Maybe a mashed ripe banana would have worked well too, or some chocolate chunks!5 stars

    Reply
  9. K says

    February 11, 2022 at 8:03 pm

    PS- Cool in or out of pan, how long, or on/off rack, or both?

    Reply
    • Amanda Powell says

      February 13, 2022 at 3:07 pm

      I usually cool in the pan until it is cool enough to the touch, then on a rack.

      Reply
  10. Katt D says

    February 11, 2022 at 7:55 pm

    My new go to chocolate craving crusher! I use allulose in place of sugar, a little less tender, but also good with brown sugar or splenda brown blend of you don't mind splenda...for the top spread I mix 1 cup chocolate chips melted carefully in microwave, stir in 1/2cup sour cream and 1 t vanilla, stir briefly til fluffy...luscious! Thanks for the recipe girl!

    Reply
  11. Brigitte says

    November 05, 2021 at 2:09 pm

    I made this loaf for my daughter-in-law (she is a vegan).
    I did not have any coffee, and I added a cup of crushed walnuts to the recipe.
    Even without the coffee, the recipe got major thumbs up 10+++++
    We are having a get together tomorrow and I was asked to make this recipe again.
    Thank you for this wonderful chocolate loaf.
    BTW, the smell permeating around the house was absolutely fantastic 🙂

    Reply
  12. Miguel says

    January 06, 2021 at 10:40 am

    Hi! I've seen the recipe and I have to make it! I love chocolate! But I have a problem, I don't know very well to do it using the cup as a measure. Could you tell me the ingredients in grams, please?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Amanda Powell says

      January 06, 2021 at 10:57 am

      Hi Miguel, Here is a super helpful chart that converts all common baking ingredients from cups to grams! https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/learn/ingredient-weight-chart

      Reply
      • Miguel says

        January 08, 2021 at 5:55 am

        Thank you very much!

  13. Debra Mylius says

    September 17, 2020 at 8:49 am

    This cake turned out amazing! Super easy to make as well. Thanks so much for sharing. I'm enjoying your site!

    Reply
    • Amanda Powell says

      September 17, 2020 at 2:36 pm

      Thank you! I am so glad that you enjoyed the cake as much as I do!!

      Reply
  14. Wendy Aguilar says

    September 10, 2020 at 11:12 pm

    Hi!! This looks so good and I want to make it but I don't see a recipe for the chocolate icing/frosting that's seen in the picture.. recipe please?

    Reply
    • Amanda Powell says

      September 11, 2020 at 12:01 am

      Hi Wendy, there is no recipe for the ganache as that was just something fun I added to that loaf for the photos and not a part of the original recipe. I did not measure what I used either, but it was roughly 1 1/2 cup chocolate and 1/3 cup heavy cream heated together and mixed

      Reply
  15. jenny c says

    July 21, 2020 at 7:12 pm

    if we dont have cocoa powder on hand can we substitue with baking dark chocolate?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Amanda Powell says

      July 22, 2020 at 8:46 pm

      I never made it with anything besides cocoa powder, so unfortunately, I am unsure how it would turn out as it changes the ratios of liquid to dry ingredients and the chocolate would bake differently. I always encourage experimentation, but cannot guarantee success!

      Reply
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Hey, I'm Amanda!

I am the baker and photographer behind A Cookie Named Desire. I'm a cookbook author, food science nerd, world traveler (sometimes) with a major weakness for cookies and cheese.

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