Last Updated on March 20, 2023
Wanting to make chocolate cake, but you only have a vanilla cake mix? Already have a trusty vanilla cake recipe you want to make chocolate? Let’s take a look at how to make a vanilla cake chocolate. Knowing how to convert a vanilla cake recipe to chocolate will solve this problem.
If you only have a box of vanilla cake mix at home but want chocolate cake, you can easily convert the recipe. In addition, if you already have a tried and true vanilla cake recipe from scratch, you can make some simple adjustments to make it chocolate. You only need a couple of ingredients to transform your vanilla cake into chocolate. Let’s take a look at how to make a vanilla cake chocolate.
What You Need: How to Make a Vanilla Cake Chocolate
Ingredients
- One package of vanilla cake mix
- 1/4 cup of cocoa powder
Or
- Your favorite vanilla cake recipe
- 1/4 cup of cocoa powder
- Replace the milk with hot water or hot coffee
- Replace the butter with vegetable oil
Equipment
- Whisk
- Mixing Bowl
- Measuring cups
Measuring Cups: U-Taste 18/8 Stainless Steel Measuring Cups and Spoons Set of 10 Piece
Step-by-Step: Vanilla Box Cake Mix to Chocolate
Step One: Pour Cake Mix Into a Large Bowl
Pour your cake mix into a large bowl. Add your 1/4 cup of cocoa powder to the dry ingredients and mix with a whisk until fully combined.
Step Two: Prepare the Ingredients According to the Instructions
Continue making your cake mix according to the instructions on the box. Bake the cake according to the instructions. Allow the cake to cool fully before decorating with your choice of frosting.
Step-by-Step: Converting Vanilla Cake Recipe From Scratch to Chocolate
Step One: Add the Cocoa Powder to the Flour Mixture
When combining the dry ingredients for your recipe, add the cocoa powder. Mix the dry ingredients with a whisk until combined.
Step Two: Replace the Milk With Hot Water Coffee
Replace all or half of the milk with hot water or hot coffee. Hot water and hot coffee allow the cocoa powder to bloom, meaning the flavor will come through more.
Step Three: Replace the Butter With the Oil
Substitute the butter for 1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil. Oil has a more neutral flavor than butter and will let the chocolate flavor shine through.
Step Four: Continue Recipe as Original Instructions State
Follow the instructions of the recipe after making the substitutions. Bake the cake according to the original recipe. Allow the cake to fully cool before decorating with your choice of frosting.
Tips and Tricks: Convert Vanilla Cake Recipe to Chocolate
There are two main types of cocoa powder: Dutch-process, and natural cocoa powder. Unlike natural cocoa powder, Dutch-process cocoa powder has been made with an alkalizing agent. This lowers its acidity level, which makes it have more of a chocolatey flavor.
If your recipe contains baking powder, you can use either kind of cocoa powder. However, if it does not have baking powder, use natural cocoa powder. Dutch-process does not react with baking soda, so the two can’t always be substituted for each other.
Instead of cocoa powder, you can use a package of instant chocolate pudding mix. This will give the cake a fluffy consistency with a chocolate taste.
Adding a small amount of sour cream, like 1/4 cup, can help with the moisture of the cake. You can also add three ounces of melted unsweetened or semi-sweet baking chocolate to your batter instead.
Adding hot coffee to your cake batter will not make it taste like coffee. Instead, it will enhance the chocolate flavor of the cake. Hot water will also work just fine and will still result in a delicious, chocolate cake.
Though some places may say to substitute 1/4 to 1/3 cup of flour for 1/4 to 1/3 cup of cocoa powder, you need to be careful. Cocoa powder and flour do different things in the recipe and taking flour out can mess up the texture of the cake. Add cocoa powder and, if needed, some additional liquid.
How to Make a Vanilla Cake Chocolate: Best Secret Recipe
Equipment
- Measuring cups
Ingredients
With Vanilla Cake Mix Box
- One package of vanilla cake mix
- 1/4 cup of cocoa powder
With Your Favorite Vanilla Cake Recipe
- Your favorite vanilla cake recipe
- 1/4 cup of cocoa powder
- Replace the milk with hot water or hot coffee
- Replace the butter with vegetable oil
Instructions
With Vanilla Cake Mix Box
- Pour Cake Mix Into Large Bowl - Pour your cake mix into a large bowl. Add your 1/4 cup of cocoa powder to the dry ingredients and mix with a whisk until fully combined.
- Prepare the Ingredients According to Instructions - Continue making your cake mix according to the instructions on the box. Bake the cake according to the instructions. Allow the cake to cool fully before decorating with your choice of frosting.
With Your Favorite Vanilla Cake Recipe
- Add the Cocoa Powder to the Flour Mixture
- When combining the dry ingredients for your recipe, add in the cocoa powder. Mix the dry ingredients with a whisk until combined.
- Replace the Milk With Hot Water of Coffee - Replace all or half of the milk with hot water or hot coffee. Hot water and hot coffee both allow the cocoa powder to bloom, which means the flavor will come through more.
- Replace the Butter With the Oil - Substitute the butter out for 1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil. Oil has a more neutral flavor than butter and will let the chocolate flavor shine through.
- Continue Recipe as Original Instructions State - Follow the instructions of the recipe after making the substitutions. Bake the cake according to the original recipe. Allow the cake to fully cool before decorating with your choice of frosting.
Notes
How to Turn Brownie Mix Into Chocolate Cake
Now you know how to make a vanilla cake chocolate, you may be wondering how to turn a brownie mix into a chocolate cake. Let’s take a closer look at how to achieve this. The ingredients you’ll need for this recipe are:
for the cake:
- 1 box of Brownie mix
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 3 eggs
- 1/3 cup of melted butter
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoons of water
for the chocolate ganache:
- 1 1/4 cups of chocolate
- 1/2 cup of heavy cream
Now all you need to do is:
- Gather all of the ingredients you need for this recipe and preheat your oven to 350F. You’ll also need to grease and line a cake. Then dust the sides with flour.
- Add the box of brownie mix to a bowl, with the baking powder. Mix well and leave to one side. In a separate bowl, add the eggs and mix until frothy with a whisk. Add the vanilla extract and butter to the eggs and mix well.
- Mix in the dry ingredients with the wet ones and use a spatula to form a smooth batter. Add water, if needed to thin the batter.
- Pour the batter into your cake pan and place it into the center of your preheated oven for 27-30 minutes. A toothpick in the center of the cake should come out clean. Remove from oven and leave to cool.
- Heat cream on medium heat, until warm. Pour cream over your chocolate and stir until melted. Leave to cool slightly, and thicken. Spread ganache on top of your cake. Serve and enjoy!
How to Make a Chocolate and Vanilla Cake
You may be curious about how to make a chocolate and vanilla cake together. For this, you’ll need the following ingredients:
for the vanilla cake:
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup of sugar
- 1/2 cup of vegetable oil
- 3/4 teaspoon of salt
- 2 teaspoons of baking powder
- 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 cup of heavy cream
for the chocolate cake:
- 1 1/3 cups of sugar
- 1 1/3 cups of all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
- 1/2 cup of cocoa powder
- 1 1/4 teaspoons of baking powder
- 2 teaspoons of espresso powder
- 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup of vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup of water
Now all you need to do is:
- Gather all of the ingredients you need and preheat your oven to 350F. You’ll also need to grease and line two round cake pans.
- You’ll first need to make the vanilla cake. Grab a mixing bowl and add the following ingredients: eggs and sugar. Mix until smooth, and slowly add the oil. Once mixed, add the salt, vanilla extract, and baking powder.
- Add the flour and cream gradually, alternating between the two. Keep doing this until completely mixed.
- Pour the batter into one of the pans and then place it into the center of your preheated oven for 30-35 minutes. Remove from oven and leave to cool.
- Now to make the chocolate cake. Add the dry ingredients to a bowl and mix. Now gradually add the vanilla, oil, and eggs. Keep mixing until smooth. Now pour in the water and keep mixing until your batter is ready.
- Pour the batter into your second prepared pan and bake in the center of your preheated oven for around 35 minutes. A toothpick into the center should come out clean. Remove from oven and leave to cool.
- Cut each cake in half lengthwise, so you have four layers. Fill each layer and top with frosting. Serve and enjoy!
Can I Add Chocolate Syrup to Yellow Cake Mix?
Of course! If you’re looking for a quick, easy way to make a chocolate swirl cake, or turn your yellow cake mix into a chocolate-flavored cake mix, you can use chocolate syrup! It’s worth noting that you may need less liquid than your recipe calls for, as you’re using chocolate syrup, which is predominantly water. On average, you should be using around 1/2 cup of chocolate syrup in your recipe to enhance that chocolate flavor.
If you don’t have any chocolate syrup, you could also try adding cocoa powder to your cake batter. However, you’ll only need around 1/4 cup of cocoa powder to transform your yellow cake into chocolate.
What is Better Chocolate or Vanilla Cake?
In terms of ease, both are just as simple as the other. The main differences between the two flavors are the taste and texture of the cake. Chocolate cake is usually rich and luxurious in taste, whereas vanilla cake is often milder in flavor and often tastes much lighter.
When it comes to texture, chocolate cake is often dense and fudgy. The vanilla cake couldn’t be more different. Vanilla cake is often light, fluffy, and airy. It all comes down to the individual as to which taste they prefer, as they’re both great for different reasons. Whether chocolate or vanilla, both will no doubt be a hit with the whole family.
How to Make a German Chocolate Cake From a White Cake Mix?
If you only have a white cake mix available, and you’re looking to make a German chocolate cake – then look no further! The only ingredients you’ll need are 1 box of white cake mix, 4 eggs, 1/2 cup of butter, 1 cup of buttermilk, 1/4 cup of chocolate syrup, 1 1/2 tablespoons of cocoa powder, prepared German cake frosting and 1/2 cup of prepared ganache.
Now all you need to do is add the butter, buttermilk, and eggs to a bowl and mix until light and fluffy. Once you have achieved this consistency, add the white cake mix, chocolate syrup, and cocoa powder. If there are a few lumps – don’t worry too much.
Prepare two cake pans with parchment paper. Pour the batter into the pans and in the center of your preheated oven at 350 for around 40 minutes. Leave the cakes to cool before adding the German cake frosting and ganache. Enjoy this tasty treat!
How to Make Chocolate Cupcakes With Yellow Cake Mix?
Most of the time, you can use a cake mix to make cupcakes and yellow cake mix is no exception. To convert a yellow cake mix into a chocolate cake mix, all you need to do is add around 1/4 cup of cocoa powder. The only ingredients you’ll need for this recipe are 1 box of yellow cake mix, 1/4 cup of cocoa powder, 4 eggs, 3/4 cup of oil of your choice, 3/4 cup of milk, 1 cup of sour cream, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Then all you need to do is add the dry ingredients to one bowl and mix well. Add your wet ingredients to this bowl and beat until a smooth batter forms. Once you have achieved this, pour batter into cupcake liners in a cupcake pan. Be sure not to overfill. Place in the center of your preheated oven at 325F and bake for around 18-20 minutes. Leave to cool and your delicious cupcakes are ready to eat!
Conclusion on How to Make a Vanilla Cake Chocolate
I hope this post has helped you to learn how to make vanilla cake chocolate. Fortunately, if you only have a vanilla cake mix or a favorite vanilla cake recipe from scratch, you can make it chocolate. With just a few simple steps and substitutions, you can have a delicious chocolate cake. Not only is this easy to do, but it also results in a delicious dessert.
Did you enjoy this tutorial on how to make a vanilla cake chocolate? If so, please share your thoughts in the comments down below and share this post with your family and friends.
Ever since she was a young girl, Anna has been a lover of desserts. As an adult, she enjoys
baking a variety of desserts from cakes, cookies, brownies, bread, and more from scratch. She
enjoys sharing her passion for baking with others who also have a sweet tooth. From properly
measuring ingredients to making sure they are the correct temperature, Anna knows the
importance small details can make in baking. She wants to share her experience with others in
hopes they can make the most delicious baked goods. When she’s not busy blogging, Anna
enjoys trying new recipes in the kitchen.
