SAEDNEWS: Are you looking for a simple and quick chocolate breakfast cake with plenty of rise? This article provides a complete recipe along with all the baking tips and techniques for a soft, fragrant chocolate cake. Follow this step-by-step guide to bake a remarkable cake for breakfast or afternoon tea and enjoy its exceptional flavor.
According to the Cooking Section of Saed News, a chocolate breakfast cake—with its soft texture and rich chocolate flavor—is one of the most popular choices for a delightful breakfast or an energizing afternoon snack. Not only is this cake easy to make at home, but its unique aroma and taste can fill any home with warmth and happiness. In this article, we provide a complete, foolproof recipe for a fluffy, delicious chocolate breakfast cake, along with all the key tips for achieving a café-quality result at home.
To make a delicious chocolate breakfast cake for 8 servings, you need high-quality ingredients at room temperature. Removing items like eggs, milk, or yogurt from the fridge about 30 minutes before starting will significantly affect the cake’s final texture. This ensures that the ingredients blend smoothly, resulting in a uniform and tender cake.

Required ingredients:
All-purpose flour: 2 cups (250 g)
Sugar: 1 cup (200 g)
Eggs: 4 (at room temperature)
Milk or yogurt: 1 cup (at room temperature)
Vegetable oil: 1/2 cup (120 ml)
Cocoa powder: 4 tablespoons (bitter and high-quality)
Baking powder: 2 teaspoons
Vanilla extract: 1/2 teaspoon
Salt: 1/4 teaspoon
The preparation and baking process is straightforward, but careful attention to each step ensures success. Start by preheating your oven to 180°C (350°F) to ensure it’s fully heated—a crucial step for a well-risen cake. Grease a loaf pan (rectangular breakfast pan) or a 23 cm round pan with butter or oil and line the bottom with parchment paper.
Prepare the dry ingredients:
In a large bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt, then sift the mixture three times. Sifting incorporates air into the flour, creating a light, spongy texture.
Prepare the wet ingredients:
In another large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar with an electric mixer on high speed for 5–7 minutes until the mixture is pale, fluffy, and stretchy. Adding vanilla at this stage helps eliminate any eggy odor. Next, add the oil and milk (or yogurt) one at a time, mixing each for only 30 seconds on low speed until combined. Overmixing here can deflate the batter.
Now, gradually add the sifted dry ingredients to the egg mixture in three portions. After each addition, gently fold the mixture using a spatula or wooden spoon until no flour streaks remain. Overmixing at this stage activates gluten, which can make the cake dense.
Once the batter is uniform, pour it gently into the prepared pan and smooth the surface with a spatula. Tap the pan lightly two or three times on the counter to release excess air bubbles. Bake in the preheated oven on the middle rack for 40–45 minutes. Important: Do not open the oven door during the first 20 minutes, as sudden temperature changes can cause the cake to collapse. After 40 minutes, test for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready.
Achieving a perfectly soft and airy cake requires a few golden rules:
Ingredient temperature: Always use ingredients at room temperature.
Sifting dry ingredients: This removes impurities and adds air, contributing to the cake’s lightness.
Whipping eggs and sugar: Beat until the mixture is fully voluminous and pale, as most of the air for rising is incorporated here.
Avoid overmixing after adding flour: This prevents the cake from becoming dense.
Optional substitutions: Using yogurt instead of milk can create a moister, tender cake.
High-quality cocoa: Bitter, high-quality cocoa powder enhances both taste and color.
Preheated oven: Ensures even baking and proper rise.
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Cooling fully before slicing or decorating prevents it from breaking.
Simple decoration idea:
Prepare a quick chocolate ganache by melting 100 g of chopped chocolate with 1/4 cup of cream over a double boiler until smooth and glossy. Pour the ganache over the cooled cake, letting it drip down the sides. You can also add powdered sugar, chocolate chips, fresh berries (like strawberries or raspberries), or a few almond or walnut flakes. Served with tea or coffee, this cake makes for an unforgettable breakfast or afternoon treat.
Making chocolate breakfast cake at home is a satisfying experience. By following a few key tips—using room-temperature ingredients, sifting dry ingredients, properly beating eggs and sugar, and controlling oven temperature—you can easily achieve a soft, moist, and fluffy cake. This base recipe can be customized with chocolate chips, nuts, or a layer of ganache for decoration, allowing you to enjoy your homemade creation to the fullest.