My son turned 3 yesterday. For his birthday, I wanted to bake an eggless chocolate cake with frosting and all. Earlier, I baked an eggless carrot cake and also a chocolate cake without eggs, using soy milk.
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This eggless chocolate cake was way before I started the blog, and for some reason, I did not save the recipe. It had a soy milk ganache for the frosting and came out very well. I wish I had saved the recipe.
I wanted to bake a layered chocolate cake because he loves it and was going through various resources to find a good chocolate cake recipe without eggs.
I bought the EnerG egg replacer from the grocery store earlier this month. I thought I would buy a ready-made cake mix from the store, use the egg replacer instead of the eggs, and bake the cake.
Then only I found that EnerG does not give desired results with store-bought mixes. So I dropped that idea.
I have read in many books/sites that tofu is a good egg substitute in baked goods. I also had silken tofu sitting in the refrigerator and decided to use it to make the cake.
Some of the chocolate cake recipes I was looking for had a minimum of 3 eggs. Then I found a recipe that required only 2 eggs in my "Baking for Dummies" book.
I proceeded with that recipe and used pureed tofu instead of eggs. The rule is adding ¼ cup of tofu per egg to be replaced.
This was the first time I was baking a layered chocolate cake without eggs and also using tofu as an egg substitute in a cake recipe.
Even though I proceeded with the recipe, I was skeptical about the taste and texture until I cut the cake on Sunday and tasted it.
I baked the cake on Saturday, let it cool off until Sunday afternoon, and then frosted it. I was more anxious than my son to taste the cake.
We also talked about running to the grocery store on Sunday evening to buy a ready-made cake if this one flops.
But I need not have worried so much after all! The eggless chocolate cake turned out so moist, and together with the icing, it was no different than the usual cakes.
We did not taste/smell the tofu at all. More than anything, I was so happy that my son liked the cake very much.
Why this recipe works?
This eggless chocolate cake is a dream come true for chocolate lovers. It’s moist, rich, and has an incredibly tender crumb that melts in your mouth. The deep chocolate flavor is perfectly balanced, making it hard to believe there are no eggs involved! This cake is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth with its decadent taste and flawless texture.
What makes it work so well? The secret lies in silken tofu. It’s an excellent egg substitute, providing the moisture and binding needed for a dense, fudgy texture. Silken tofu is neutral in taste, allowing the rich cocoa to take center stage while ensuring the cake stays soft and tender.
Vegetable oil further boosts the moisture, ensuring that the cake stays soft, even days after baking. Unlike butter, oil keeps the cake rich and melt-in-your-mouth without drying out.
Baking soda and baking powder are key for giving the cake its perfect rise and airy texture. Together, they ensure that the cake rises evenly and stays light, even without eggs.
For an extra depth of flavor, high-quality cocoa powder is a must. Paired with hot coffee, the chocolate flavor intensifies, making every bite more indulgent without overpowering sweetness.
Best of all, this recipe is wonderfully simple. You only need a bowl and a whisk—no fancy equipment required. Minimal cleanup, maximum results!
This recipe has been a no-fail favorite since I first baked it in 2008, and countless readers have enjoyed it ever since. If you're looking for the best eggless chocolate cake, give this one a try—you won’t be disappointed!
Ingredients
- 2 Cups All Purpose Flour
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
- 2 Teaspoons Baking Soda
- ¾ Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 2 Cups Granulated Sugar (See My Notes)
- 1 Cup Vegetable Oil (I Used Canola Oil)
- 1 Cup Hot Coffee (I Mixed 1.25 Teaspoons Of Instant Coffee Powder With 1 Cup Of Hot Water)
- 1 Cup Milk (I Used 2% Milk)
- ½ Cup Silken Tofu Pureed (I Used Nasoya Brand Silken Tofu)
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 Packet Dr Oetker's Organic Chocolate Icing Mix
- ¼ Cup Hot Milk/Hot Water (Heat It In The Microwave Oven For 15 Seconds)
- ⅓ Cup Soft Butter At Room Temperature (Which is 5 Tablespoons + 1 Teaspoon)
- ¼ Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- A Pinch Baking Soda
Cake Preparation
Here are the step-by-step instructions on making this simple and delicious egg-free chocolate cake from scratch:
13. Bake this cake for 25 to 30 minutes until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Frosting Recipe
Here are the step-by-step instructions on making the frosting from scratch and the cake decorations.
Sift the mix. Add the melted butter, hot milk, vanilla, and baking soda. (I read in the same book that adding a pinch of baking soda to icings prevents hardening and cracking, so icing stays moist)
Frosting the Cake
First, I placed the bottom layer upside down so the rounded side (top of the cake would be on the serving plate). If you have a dome top on the cake, even it out by slicing it with a serrated knife and then place it upside-down.
Cake Decoration
Readers Feedback
Giovanna says: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This recipe is amazing. I have been using this recipe for the last 7+ years for all my friends cakes/cupcakes. Her son has a ton of allergies including eggs, nuts, & soy. I replace the tofu with plain unsweetened apple sauce and use oat milk instead of regular milk and use canola oil. For icing I use just a basic buttercream icing recipe replacing the butter with the earth balance soy free butter. They absolutely love this cake when I make it. I make all of their birthday cakes and such since he has never had a reaction after making it the first time. (I did so much research on products i could use with out causing allergen risks)
Christine Renwick says: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This I started making when my friends daughter (who had an egg allergy), never had had a birthday cake. It was such a success. It has been my only chocolate cake recipe used ever since. My daughter (22) asked me to make this for her birthday next week. I could not find the recipe anywhere. You can imagine my delight in finding it again online after all this time.
I do find the cake a little fragile but letting it cool completely in fridge overnight and using slightly softer frosting does the trick.
Thankyou Madhuram for my go to chocolate cake recipe that I have used for the last 11 years.
AmaiMwana says: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hello Madhuram, I have been using this recipe of your for more than5 years now, as I posted a comment on here 8n 2017. It is my go to recipe and the only cake my son wants even @ 19. Having an egg allergy I have tried different recipes but he has flat out told me the only cake he wants is your recipe. Whenever I am asked for a chocolate cake recipe, I share yours. Thank you once again. Absolutely love it.
Kathleen says: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Change the title to BEST CHOCOLATE CAKE RECIPE PERIOD
I tried this recipe because one of the kids in my son's class has an egg allergy. Thank you little Vincent. For years I have been proud of my chocolate cake. I would make it the night before so it would be super moist. Not necessary with this recipe. I was never satisfied with my cupcakes though. They were never moist enough. THESE CUPCAKES WERE AMAZING!!!!!
I used store brand firm tofu. I'm trading my Hershey's Perfect Chocolate Cake Recipe for this one. Sorry Hershey's, but you've been outdone.
Recipe FAQs
I first baked and blogged about this eggless chocolate cake in 2008. It’s been 16 years now, and over the years, I’ve received so many questions from readers. This FAQ section is a result of carefully curated reviews and feedback, providing an exhaustive list of questions to ensure your baking experience is as smooth as possible. Please feel free to leave a comment if you have any other questions, and I will try to answer to the best of my knowledge.
You can use cake flour if you’d like a lighter texture, but you may need to increase the amount slightly since cake flour is lighter than all-purpose. For self-rising flour, it's not recommended unless you adjust the other leavening agents in the recipe (baking soda and baking powder), as self-rising flour already contains leavening.
Yes, you can easily make this cake vegan! The only dairy ingredient in the cake is 1 cup of milk, which can be replaced with any non-dairy milk of your choice, such as almond, soy, or oat milk. For the frosting, simply swap the butter with a vegan butter alternative and double-check that your frosting mix doesn’t contain any dairy ingredients. You can also explore some of the vegan frosting recipes I’ve shared for a fully vegan cake!
Yes, you can! Simply substitute the regular flour with an all-purpose gluten-free baking mix, which works measure for measure. Although I haven’t tested it specifically with this cake recipe, I’ve had great success using gluten-free mixes in muffin and cookie recipes. To be sure, you could halve the recipe and bake a single-layer cake as a test. This way, you can see how it turns out and adjust as needed before baking the full recipe.
Yes, you can make this cake soy-free by using a different egg substitute in place of silken tofu. While I haven’t personally tried other substitutes in this recipe, many reviewers have had success using unsweetened applesauce. One reader even mentioned that they skipped the tofu entirely, and the cake still turned out great! Another option could be to use an equal measure of yogurt, which should also work well.
I’ve only tested this recipe with granulated white sugar, but brown sugar should work just as well, adding a slightly richer flavor. I haven’t experimented with artificial sweeteners, but if you’re using a liquid sweetener like maple syrup, you’ll need to adjust the amount of other liquids in the recipe to maintain the right consistency. Start by reducing the liquid ingredients slightly to balance it out.
Yes, you can! The coffee isn't mandatory. Simply replace it with a cup of water. Coffee is typically used to enhance the chocolate flavor, but I haven’t done a side-by-side comparison to see how much of a difference it makes. Either way, your cake will still turn out delicious!
Yes, you can! Feel free to add up to a cup of chocolate chips, nuts, or other mix-ins to the batter. There’s no need to adjust the measurements for the other ingredients—just stir them in and bake as usual for a delicious twist!
Yes, of course! Line a muffin tin with paper liners and lightly grease them with non-stick cooking spray. Spoon about ⅓ cup of batter into each liner and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Enjoy your eggless chocolate cupcakes!
No worries! You can use any other frosting mix of your choice. Alternatively, you can try one of the homemade frosting recipes from the blog for a delicious, from-scratch option.
Yes, this cake tastes great even without frosting! You can simply dust it with powdered sugar or top it with fresh fruits like berries for a lighter option. A slice of this cake with some whipped topping and fresh fruits also makes for a delicious, simple dessert. The rich chocolate flavor and moist texture stand on their own, making it perfect as a snack or quick treat.
You can bake this cake a day or two in advance. Once cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to keep it fresh. If you're planning to frost it later, store the unfrosted cake layers at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze it for up to 3 months—just be sure to thaw it completely before frosting or serving. While I haven’t personally frozen this cake, this is the general procedure for freezing cakes.
If you tried this Eggless Chocolate Cake recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below!
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Recipe
Eggless Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients:
- 2 Cups All Purpose Flour
- 1 Teaspoon Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
- 2 Teaspoons Baking Soda
- ¾ Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 2 Cups Granulated Sugar (See My Notes)
- 1 Cup Vegetable Oil (I Used Canola Oil)
- 1 Cup Hot Coffee (I Mixed 1.25 Teaspoons Of Instant Coffee Powder With 1 Cup Of Hot Water)
- 1 Cup Milk (I Used 2% Milk)
- ½ Cup Silken Tofu Pureed (I Used Nasoya Brand Silken Tofu)
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Frosting Ingredients:
- 1 Packet Dr Oetker's Organic Chocolate Icing Mix
- ¼ Cup Hot Milk/Hot Water (Heat It In The Microwave Oven For 15 Seconds)
- ⅓ Cup Soft Butter At Room Temperature (Which Is 5 Tablespoons + 1 Teaspoon)
- ¼ Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- A Pinch Baking Soda
Instructions
Cake Preparation:
- Preheat the oven to 325F (160C) for 15 minutes.
- Grease and flour (I used cocoa powder to flour the base of the pan because it's a chocolate cake) two 9-inch cake pans.
- Sift the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa, and sugar into a large mixing bowl. Make a well.
- Add the canola oil. Then add the hot coffee decoction. Add milk.
- Add the pureed tofu. (Remove the silken tofu from the packet using a spoon, add it to the blender, and puree it to a creamy mixture)
- And a few drops of vanilla essence.
- With an electric mixer, beat at medium speed for 2-3 minutes. (At first, I did not use the hand mixer to combine the batter because I remembered reading somewhere that while using egg substitutes, in this case, tofu, beating the batter is not recommended, and I was so worried to see such a diluted batter and it was also having a lot of small lumps. So anyhow, I decided to use my hand mixer to get rid of the lumps, but still, the batter was considerably thin).
- Pour the batter evenly into both 9-inch cake pans. (or fill the 6 muffin cups halfway with batter and divide the remaining batter between both 8-inch pans).
- Bake this cake for 25 to 30 minutes until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. (Check the cupcakes after 15 minutes). I placed 1 pan on the middle shelf and then another on the bottom shelf set the timer for 25 minutes, and switched the pans around 12 minutes. Switching the pan means moving the pan from the middle shelf to the bottom and the bottom shelf pan to the top. This is done to ensure the even baking of both cakes. One of my make was done exactly at 25 minutes, and the other one took 30 minutes.
- Let the cakes cool completely before removing them from the pans. The time mentioned in the original recipe was 15 minutes, so I tried to transfer the cake to a wire rack after 20 minutes, which was a little messy. So I left the other cake in the pan for quite some time. Maybe after an hour, I touched the bottom of that pan and found that it had cooled completely, so I transferred it to the wire rack.
- The cake should cool completely on the wire rack before frosting. I baked the cakes on Saturday and frosted them on Sunday. I left it on the kitchen counter and covered it with a bamboo basket. You could also refrigerate the cake to cool it off.
Frosting Procedure:
- Sift the mix.
- Add the melted butter, hot milk, vanilla, and baking soda. (I read in the same book that adding a pinch of baking soda to icings prevents hardening and cracking, so icing stays moist)
- Beat the mix using a hand mixer at medium-high speed. Add a few drops of water/milk if required.
Frosting the cake:
- This was my first experience frosting an eggless chocolate cake, so I followed the steps in the book.
- First, I placed the bottom layer upside down so the rounded side (top of the cake would be on the serving plate). If you have a dome top on the cake, even it out by slicing it with a serrated knife and then place it upside-down.
- Spread about ½ cup to ¾ cup of frosting on top of the bottom layer. Don't use hard strokes; spread it gently using an offset metal spatula or plastic spatula.
- Place the second layer on the first, cut, or domed side up.
- Frost the sides of the cake first with another ½ cup of frosting.
- Finally, frost the top of the second layer.
Decorating the Eggless Chocolate Cake:
- As you all know, the options are endless. Being the rookie I am, and because my son loves M&M's, I used them to line the cake. I also used the ready-made Cake Mate decorating pens in the grocery store in the baking aisle to write birthday messages and draw some flowers.
Pooja Bhudia says
What is the Silken Tofu for ? How does it affect the Cake as it's Chocolate?
Madhuram says
You won't taste anything different at all, Pooja. I can promise you that. I have used it instead of eggs.
Sohana says
what can i used instead of
?1/2 Cup Silken Tofu Pureed?
Madhuram says
Unsweetened applesauce and yogurt will work too.
bhargavi says
I live in India. Silken tofu is not available here. Is there any substitute for silken tofu?
Thanks
Madhuram says
Plain yogurt also works, or any other pureed fruit like unsweetened applesauce or mashed bananas if you are okay with mild banana flavor.
jannet says
Hi :D,
well i'll be trying this mouth watering recipe tomorrow but then i don't have silken tofu. Is there any replacement to this? Thanks
Madhuram says
Unsweetened applesauce or plain yogurt works well too.
tamesh sattan says
At first I was a little apprehensive about the tofu, but after it was baked and I was ready to decorate and serve I was very, very, very pleased. this has to be one of the moistest cakes I have ever made. I would highly recommend this cake to other bakers
Madhuram says
Thanks Tamesh.
Puja says
Looks like a great recipe.
Can I use whole wheat pastry flour instead of all purpose? same quantity?
Thanks!
Madhuram says
Yes you can, Puja.
Mare says
This looks like a recipe I'd like to try for my daughter's bday cake, but I'm concerned about the texture. From your pictures it looks like a dense cake and I prefer a nice crumb in my cakes. Does this cake have a nice crumb or can you please suggest another recipe? Thanks.
Madhuram says
Yes this is a moist and dense chocolate cake, Mare. I think you should try this Whacky Vegan Chocolate Cake instead.
pratibha says
Hi,
thanx for d wondeful recipe,i haven't baked anything in mu life but i am going to try this recipe tomorrow,i just have one problem that unsalted butter is unavailable where i live so can i use home-made butter as a substitute to that?
Madhuram says
Are you wondering about the butter in the frosting? Yes you can use homemade butter.
pratibha says
yes i am talking about butter in the frosting,anyways thanx for the answer.
Bhavna says
Hi,
Thanks for this wonderful recipe, I am going to try this today. For the Frosting can you please give me the proportion for Ganache??
Madhuram says
You're welcome Bhavna. I just used a frosting mix, so don't remember the proportions.
Janel says
I love this recipe, I've made it twice already! This is officially my go-to fail proof recipe.
Madhuram says
Thanks Janel.
Samm says
I'm wondering if the EnerG egg replacer should be good enough because I already have that at home??
Madhuram says
You could try Samm, because I haven't tried Ener-G to replace 4 eggs so far.
Simmi J says
Hi,
I tried baking this cake today.Initially i was apprehensive about trying to make an eggless cake but it turned out amazing. didnt know tht an eggless cake could taste so yummy. Thanks for sharing this recipe.Keep up the good work!
Cheers!
Madhuram says
You're welcome Simmi.
Kajal says
Is there a substitute for silken tofu in this recipe?
Madhuram says
You can try equal amount of yogurt like I did in this http://www.egglesscooking.com/2009/03/23/eggless-chocolate-cake-yogurt/
Hyun says
It's my first time to make cupcake with your recipe. Wonderful. Now I'm in love with this cake. So soft and moisture. But I did not add tofu, I used egg. Next time I will try again with tofu and soy milk.
Madhuram says
Thanks Hyun.
Akhila says
Hi!
I tried this cake today and used the cookies n creme pudding frost that you suggested for another cake. It turned out YUMM!! I usually use vinegar for my eggless cakes, but this tofu recipe is my new favorite. Its amazing how you can't even taste it! I poured the whole quantity in 1 giant cake pan and the cake turned out a little extra-moist in the center. Do you have any idea if increasing the baking temperature will eliminate this problem?
I look fwd to trying out more of your recipes. Keep up the good work!
Madhuram says
Thanks Akhila. The baking temperature and time needed for baking depends on the size of the pan and I need to know that to suggest you the same.
Claudine says
LOVE IT
Madhuram says
Thanks Claudine.
Beeny says
Hi, I loved the taste and texture. I was doubtig using veg oil in the batter but well I must say it tasted too good. But my mistake I think was I over cooked so it became dry and hard. Anyway I'm gonna try again today half the amount. Let's see how it turns.
Madhuram says
Thanks Beeny. This cake is a very moist cake, so I'm not sure why it turned out hard for you. Usually people ask me how to make it less moist.
sowmya says
Madhu!
You are wonderful! I doubled and baked two cakes and cut them to make the shape of penguin and covered it with another frosting recipe and coloured piping gel made at home. The cake was soooo moist even though we cut it almost 24 hours after baking it. My guest definately took another helping and praised it with comparison to other eggless choco cakes which are usually dry and hard!! 😛 And most of all! My son loved the choco and penguin combination which is both his favourites!! Only problem was that I used SF flour and the cake was a little crumbly..should have stuck to maida. I had a hard time patching up the cake and sticking it with frosting 🙂
Madhuram says
Thanks Sowmya. Yes using self rising flour plus the leaveners in the recipe will make the cake crumbly. You should have at least cut back on the leavener.
Swati says
Hi, can you suggest an alternative for the silken tofu puree? Is it a must to bake the above recipe? I'm trying eggless cake for the first time so am very apprehensive. Please help.
Madhuram says
Are you hesitating to use silken tofu or do you have to avoid it for any other reasons? If you are hesitating, then you don't need to because you won't feel it at all. If you are still not convinced, then try unsweetened applesauce or yogurt instead. I have tried it in this Chocolate Layer Cake and Eggless Chocolate Bottle Gourd Cake Using Yogurt with Ovaltine Frosting recipe.
Beeny says
Hey hi, I would like to tell you on this that I don't know what tofu is and here at my place we don't get it. So I used yogurt. Initially I was bit surprised using vegetable oil and curd, but the taste really turned out great 🙂
Madhuram says
Yes, yogurt works too. I have tried the same recipe with yogurt and you can check it out here: http://www.egglesscooking.com/2009/03/23/eggless-chocolate-cake-yogurt/