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Moist and delicious, this chocolate mayonnaise cake is the perfect addition to a dessert table or celebration. Flour, mayo, and sugar are the basis for this simple mayo cake, which is easy to make from scratch with ingredients you likely already have on hand, so no trips to the store are required!
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WHAT IS MAYONNAISE CAKE?
Mayonnaise cake draws its name by using mayo instead of eggs and butter in the cake batter. Since mayonnaise consists mostly of eggs and oil, it works great as a substitute for those ingredients typically found in cake recipes. In fact, mayonnaise can even be added to a box cake mix to increase the richness of the flavor.
It became a popular dessert dish during the Great Depression when families were forced to find more economical ways to recreate their favorite foods when they were unable to afford or find more expensive ingredients like eggs, milk, and butter. It continues to be a popular Southern comfort food today as well as a great choice for families looking for a rich dessert on a budget.
CHOCOLATE MAYONNAISE CAKE INGREDIENTS
You will need:
- 4 cups flour
- 2 cups sugar
- ½ cup cocoa
- 4 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 cups water
SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS
COCOA: This recipe works well with any type of cocoa you might have on hand. Dark dutch Cocoa or regular cocoa will both create delicious results.
VANILLA: Omit the cocoa for a vanilla mayonnaise cake or try adding other ingredients such as bananas, brown sugar, or coffee for a different dessert experience.
FROSTING: Top the mayo cake with your frosting of choice. You can use your favorite one from scratch or any can of frosting you have on hand.
For a simple chocolate frosting, you can use the following recipe: ·
- 1 cup butter, melted
- 1 cup cocoa
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup milk or more if needed
To make, first, place the cocoa in a large mixing bowl. Add the melted butter. Using a mixer mix until combined and smooth. Next add the vanilla, powdered sugar and milk and mix until smooth beating for 2-3 minutes.
HOW TO MAKE THIS MAYONNAISE CAKE RECIPE
STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9 inch cake pans.
STEP TWO: In a large bowl add the flour, sugar, cocoa and baking soda. Take a whisk and whisk the dry ingredients to remove any lumps.
STEP THREE: In a medium bowl add the mayonnaise, vanilla, and water and using a whisk mix together until smooth.
STEP FOUR: Slowly add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and stir just until combined. Do not overmix.
STEP FIVE: Divide the batter between the two prepared pans.
STEP SIX: Bake for 30 minutes or until toothpick or cake tester comes out clean.
STEP SEVEN: Remove from oven and cool completely.
STEP EIGHT: Ice with chocolate frosting.
This chocolate mayonnaise cake is easy to make and consists of simple ingredients including flour, sugar, and mayo, which combine to create a rich and decadent old-fashioned dessert.
MORE RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake
Ingredients
- 4 cups flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/2 cup cocoa
- 4 tsp baking soda
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 2 cups water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9 inch cake pans.
- In a large bowl add the flour, sugar, cocoa and baking soda. Take a whisk and whisk the dry ingredients to remove any lumps.
- In a medium bowl add the mayonnaise, vanilla and water and using a whisk mix together until smooth.
- Slowly add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and stir just until combined. Do not overmix.
- Divide the batter between the two prepared pans.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until toothpick or cake tester comes out clean.
- Remove from oven and cool completely.
- Ice with chocolate frosting.
Video
Notes
- 1 cup butter, melted
- 1 cup cocoa
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup milk or more if needed
- Place the cocoa in a large mixing bowl. Add the melted butter. Using a mixer mix until combined and smooth.
- Next add the vanilla, powdered sugar and milk and mix until smooth beating for 2-3 minutes.
I make cake but cut all ingredients in half then use 9 x13 glass pan in my air fryer. I reduce temp to 325 and bake 20 minutes after it is preheated. I use toothpick to test fineness. This is perfect size for my husband and me.
I haven’t made the cake yet , I was planning on it . One question ..?isn’t there a difference ( measurement wise) from a glass measuring cup and individual cups ? (If so wet and dry ingredients ) which one do you use for the Mayo ? Thank you .
Hey, there – measuring cups might show differently but the amounts would be the same no matter what you used. Enjoy!
Would i need to add more flour if I omit the cocoa??
Hi, Helen – I have never tried leaving out the cocoa so I am not sure how this cake would turn out if you omit it.
Yellow cake is the goal! That’s what I would want also.
It wouldn’t be a chocolate cake without the cocoa dear.
Self-rising or plain flour?
Hi, Wanda – I used regular flour. Enjoy!
Does the type of mayo matter? I have olive oil mayo.
That should be fine!
Do you think vegan mayonnaise would work? My son is allergic to eggs, so I thought I’d try it that way.
I haven’t tried it that way – let me know how it turns out if you do. I’ve never used vegan mayo for anything so I can’t speak for how it would work to bake with.
Is there no salt In this recipe??? Does not seem right. Am I missing something?
There is no salt in the recipe. Enjoy!
Can I use milk instead of water?
I haven’t tried it with milk so I don’t know if it will impact how the cake turns out! Please let me know if you test that. Enjoy 🙂
I have made this cake just last year and everyone loved it, well I’m making it again, but this time I want to make a 6 inch cake. How would I measure the ingredients from 9 inch to 6 inch?
This is my new go-to chocolate cake. I made the attached chocolate frosting and it was yummy but rich.