This is the easiest chocolate cake ever. If you’re looking for a simple yet tasty dessert, it’s the recipe to turn to. And if you use coconut oil and vegan chocolate chips in the ganache, you can make the cake vegan-friendly too.

Makes one 13-x 9-inch cake; 18 to 24 servings

Prep time: 25 minutes
Cooking time: 35 to 40 minutes
Setting time: about 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp fine sea salt
• 2 cups cold water
• 2/3 cup vegetable oil
• 2 Tbsp white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• 1 Tbsp vanilla extract

PREPARATION

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 13-x 9-inch baking pan, then dust with cocoa powder. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. In a medium bowl, stir together the water, oil, vinegar, and vanilla extract. Set aside.
4. Make a well in the flour mixture. Pour the water mixture into the well. Stir until the batter is smooth and no lumps of flour remain. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan. Tap the pan lightly on the counter a couple of times to remove any air bubbles.
5. Bake until a wooden skewer inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes.
6. Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 5 to 10 minutes. Run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen the cake. Turn the cake out onto the wire rack and let cool completely.

QUICK CHOCOLATE GANACHE

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or finely chopped dark chocolate
• 2 Tbsp coconut oil or unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips, melted (optional)

PREPARATION

1. Melt the chocolate and coconut oil in a small bowl set over a saucepan of hot, but not boiling, water. Stir often until smooth.
2. Set the wire rack holding the cake over a rimmed baking tray. Using a wooden skewer or lollipop stick, poke holes in the top of the cake.
3. Pour the ganache over the cake.
4. Using a spatula, spread the ganache evenly and let it soak into the cake.
5. Drizzle the cake with melted white chocolate (if using), then let set before serving, about 15 minutes.