Name: Moist Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour (256 g); 1 cup granulated sugar (200 g); 6 tablespoons cocoa powder (44 g); 2 teaspoons baking soda; 1 cup water (237 g); 1 cup mayonnaise (232 g); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

There’s something undeniably cozy about a homemade chocolate cake, especially when it’s as rich and tender as this Moist Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake Recipe. What makes it stand out is how effortlessly it turns out super moist without any complicated ingredients—mayonnaise does the magic here, trust me.

A close-up view of a single square piece of chocolate cake with two distinct layers on a white plate set on a white marbled surface. The bottom layer is a rich, dark brown moist chocolate cake with a crumbly texture. The top layer is thick, smooth, and creamy chocolate frosting that has a slightly glossy finish and soft swirls, covering the entire cake piece evenly. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Moist Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Moist Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Moist Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I baked this Moist Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake; it felt like a little baking secret passed down, but it’s honestly just simple ingredients coming together in the best way. The texture is to die for, and the flavor isn’t overpoweringly chocolatey but just perfectly balanced.

Super Moist Texture: The mayonnaise keeps this cake incredibly soft and prevents it from drying out, even days later.
Minimal Ingredients: With just seven simple pantry staples, it’s the perfect quick dessert fix.
Easy to Make: No creaming butter or complicated steps—just mix, bake, and enjoy.
Versatile Flavor: Subtle cocoa paired with vanilla means it pairs beautifully with anything you want—ice cream, whipped cream, or fresh berries.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Moist Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake Recipe plays an important role to create a tender crumb and that perfect chocolate flavor. I always keep these basics ready because they combine without fuss but with big results.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of rich cocoa powder, two whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white ceramic bowl of water, a small white ceramic bowl of creamy mayonnaise, a small white ceramic bowl of clear vanilla extract placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

All-purpose flour: Provides the cake's structure. Make sure it’s properly measured—too much flour can dry out the cake.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps with the tender crumb.
Cocoa powder: I prefer unsweetened, natural cocoa for a rich but not bitter chocolate flavor.
Baking soda: Gives the cake its rise and light texture.
Water: Hydrates the dry ingredients and helps dissolve the cocoa powder evenly.
Mayonnaise: The secret star! It’s basically eggs and oil combined, making the cake super moist without heaviness.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to the chocolate flavor.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One thing I love about this Moist Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake Recipe is how adaptable it is. While I stick to the classic version most of the time, you can easily adjust it to your taste or dietary preferences.

Variation: Sometimes I swap half the water for strong brewed coffee to intensify the chocolate flavor — it’s a game-changer if you love a deep mocha taste.
Dairy-Free Twist: Using vegan mayonnaise keeps it moist and perfect for those avoiding dairy.
Add-ins: I’ve thrown in chocolate chips or chopped nuts on occasion for extra texture.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Moist Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a slice of chocolate cake on a white plate with a white marbled background. The cake has two layers, each dark brown and moist looking, with a thick layer of smooth, creamy chocolate frosting on top that is swirled and glossy. A fork is digging into the front bottom left corner of the cake, lifting a small piece, and the rich texture of the cake and frosting is visible. The scene is warm and inviting, perfect for a chocolate dessert. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Mix Dry Ingredients

Start by whisking together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and baking soda in a large bowl. Make sure you break up any lumps, especially in the cocoa powder, so your batter is smooth and even.

Step 2: Add Wet Ingredients

In another bowl, combine the water, mayonnaise, and vanilla extract. Give it a good stir until it's all smooth. Then pour the wet mixture into your dry ingredients and gently mix until just combined. Don’t overmix here — a few lumps are totally fine.

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter into a greased or parchment-lined 8-inch pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs — the cake stays soft! Let it cool completely before slicing.

Top Tip

I’ve baked this cake dozens of times, and a few simple tips really improved my results. These came after a couple of trial runs when I wanted to get every bite just right—so here are the best tricks.

Measure Flour Carefully: Too much flour can make the cake dry, so spoon it into your measuring cup and level off instead of scooping directly from the bag.
Don’t Overmix: Overworking the batter develops gluten and can make the cake dense instead of tender.
Use Fresh Cocoa Powder: Old cocoa can lose flavor; fresh powder really boosts the chocolate taste.
Check Oven Temperature: An oven running hot can dry out the cake, so use an oven thermometer if you can.

How to Serve Moist Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake Recipe

Garnishes

I love serving this cake with a dusting of powdered sugar or a few fresh raspberries to add a bright contrast. A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side always gets rave reviews from guests.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs amazingly with a warm cup of coffee or a rich hot chocolate. For brunch or gatherings, I sometimes offer fresh fruit salad or candied nuts on the side for added texture and freshness.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve jazzed this cake up by layering it with whipped cream and sliced strawberries between two cake rounds or serving it in pretty individual ramekins topped with chocolate shavings. It’s a crowd-pleaser either way!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover cake stays wonderfully moist stored at room temperature wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to three days. I usually keep mine covered on the countertop so it doesn’t dry out.

Freezing

I’ve frozen sliced cake wrapped tightly in plastic and foil with great success—just thaw overnight in the fridge and avoid microwaving to keep the texture intact. It’s perfect for making ahead or saving for a special treat later.

Reheating

If you want a warm slice, I recommend gently reheating in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or popping it briefly in a low oven wrapped in foil. This maintains the cake’s softness without drying out the edges.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I substitute mayonnaise with something else?

Mayonnaise is the key ingredient that keeps the cake moist thanks to its mix of oil and eggs. However, if you don’t have mayo, you can try an equal amount of sour cream or Greek yogurt as an alternative, but keep in mind the texture might be slightly different.

How do I know when the cake is done baking?

The best way to test is by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, your cake is ready. Avoid leaving it in the oven too long since that can dry it out despite the mayo.

Can I make this cake gluten-free?

You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that works for baking. Look for one that already includes xanthan gum or add it separately to help replicate the texture. The cake may be slightly denser but still delicious.

How long does this cake stay fresh?

When stored properly at room temperature in an airtight container, this Moist Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake stays fresh and moist for up to 3 days. You can refrigerate it too, but bring it to room temp before serving for best flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Moist Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake Recipe truly feels like a comforting little hug in dessert form. Every time I bake it, I’m reminded how simple ingredients can deliver such joy and satisfaction. Give it a try—you might just discover your new go-to chocolate cake for all occasions.