Go Back
Old-Fashioned Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake Recipe

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake

A classic 9 x 13-inch chocolate cake made with mayonnaise for an exceptionally moist, tender crumb. Serve it plain or finish it with traditional chocolate powdered-sugar frosting.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chocolate Cake
  • 2 cups All-purpose flour
  • 1 cup Granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons Baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 cup Full-fat mayonnaise
  • 1 cup Water
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
Optional Chocolate Frosting
  • 1/2 cup Butter, softened
  • 1/3 cup Unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/3 cup Milk
  • 4 cups Confectioners' sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan and line the bottom with parchment if desired.
  2. Whisk the flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl.
  3. Add the mayonnaise, water, and vanilla extract. Stir or beat just until the batter is smooth and evenly combined.
  4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it level. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes.
  5. Check the center with a toothpick; the cake is ready when the tester comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Cool the cake in the pan before frosting or serving.
  6. For the optional frosting, beat the softened butter and cocoa together. Alternately add the milk and confectioners' sugar, then mix in the vanilla and adjust the consistency with a little more milk or confectioners' sugar if needed.

Notes

Use regular full-fat mayonnaise rather than salad dressing or reduced-fat mayonnaise. Do not overbake; a few moist crumbs on the tester are ideal. For deeper chocolate flavor, hot water may be used in place of the standard room-temperature water to bloom the cocoa.