Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake is an amazing treat in a pinch! With only basic kitchen ingredients, this delectable cake will amaze you with its decadent yet moist texture and deep chocolate taste.

This recipe comes from America’s Test Kitchen and is a great way to enjoy chocolate mayonnaise cake any time the craving strikes. The ingredients are simple and easy to find, making it the perfect emergency cake for those days when you want to make something sweet but don’t want to go shopping.
This version of the emergency cake comes together quickly and produces an incredibly moist and chocolaty snack cake that everyone will love.
Let’s take a look at this delicious chocolate mayonnaise cake recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
- 1 ¼ cups water
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan. (I used baking spray and a glass baking dish.)
Whisk flour, sugar, and baking soda together in a large bowl.
In a separate bowl (I recommend a medium bowl), whisk cocoa and water together until smooth. Whisk in mayonnaise and vanilla.
Stir the wet ingredients into the flour mixture until combined.
Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top with a rubber spatula. Bake until toothpick comes out with few crumbs attached, about 1 hour, rotating pan halfway through baking.
Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack, for 1 to 2 hours. Serve. (Cake can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days.)
Recipe FAQs
Regular cocoa powder is made from heated and dried cocoa beans, while Dutch-processed cocoa has been treated with an alkalizing agent to reduce its acidity. Dutch-processed cocoa has a milder flavor than regular cocoa and will add a deeper chocolate color to your emergency cake.
You can include any of your favorite mix-ins such as nuts, dried fruits, or chocolate chips. You can also top it with powdered sugar, icing, glaze, or buttercream for an extra special touch.
📖 Recipe
Emergency Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ¼ cups sugar
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
- 1 ¼ cups water
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 8-inch square baking pan.
- Whisk flour, sugar, and baking soda together in large bowl. In separate bowl, whisk cocoa and water together until smooth. Whisk in mayonnaise and vanila. Stir mayonnaise mixture into flour until combined.
- Transfer batter to prepared pan and smooth top with rubber spatula. Bake until toothpick comes out with few crumbs attached, about 1 hour, rotating pan halfway through baking.
- Let cake cool in pan on wire rack, 1 to 2 hours. Serve. (Cake can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days.)
Video
Notes
Nutrition
The Modern Pantry
This chocolate mayonnaise cake is from The Complete Modern Pantry: 350+ Ways To Cook Well With What’s On Hand by America’s Test Kitchen.
The book includes an array of tips, tricks, and techniques to make cooking with pantry staples a breeze. With over 350 recipes you’ll be sure to find the perfect dish for your next get-together. From classic family favorites like this Emergency Chocolate Cake to flavorful dishes like Shrimp Bisque and more, you’re sure to find something delicious.
The beauty of this book is that it helps you make the most of what’s already in your pantry. With simple ingredients and easy instructions and beautiful pictures, The Complete Modern Pantry will help you create delicious meals with ease.
The beginning of the book includes a handy guide to the pantry basics and how to use them. This helps you create flavorful meals with ingredients you already have in your kitchen.
The Complete Modern Pantry is a must-have for anyone who loves to cook and wants to make delicious making the most of what’s on hand. With its easy-to-follow instructions and pantry-friendly recipes, it’s sure to become a favorite. Look for it at your local bookstore or at Amazon.com.
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