This old fashioned chocolate mayonnaise cake recipe is adapted from the original that was on the back of the Hellman’s Mayonnaise jar back in the early half of the 1900s. It’s incredible fudgy flavor and super moist texture have made it a favorite for generations. Make it and find out why. Not quite what you’re looking for? Here’s a classic vanilla layer cake. This post has been updated from the original – dated July 2010.
For this recipe you’ll need: bittersweet chocolate, dark cocoa, strong coffee, all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, sugar, brown sugar, mayonnaise (not salad dressing), eggs, vanilla, confectioner’s sugar, sour cream, dark chocolate, white corn syrup,
The Restless Chipotle Channel
May 8, 2017
Today would have been my dad’s 100th birthday. That fact was what controlled the decision about updating this chocolate mayonnaise cake recipe – his favorite cake. My father was not the best husband to my mother, he was not the nicest person to other people. Many people despised him. Many people were afraid of him. He was, in many ways, the real life Don Draper. He pulled himself up from an impoverished childhood to become a sought after corporate businessman.
Most importantly, he loved me beyond all reason, beyond all imaginings, beyond anyone else…we were simpatico. I was his sun and moon and stars and he was my hero. I rode on his shoulders, I danced on his feet, he taught me to play poker, to swim, and to mix a perfect extra dry martini. Eventually he taught me to drink like a man while holding my liquor like a lady. He taught me to defend myself physically, intellectually, mentally, and emotionally. He told me I was beautiful and that he believed in me every single day of my life and while he was alive I almost believed it.
He died before I published my first book, wrote my first blog post, or collected my first royalty payment. I wish he was on the earth to share those accomplishments with me, I wish I could talk to him about things just one more time. Yet, his voice is as much in my head as my mother’s and often nullifies her unending criticism with one simple sentence – “You can do this standing on your head – you may not be perfect but you’re close enough for me.”
I dedicate this recipe, this updated post, and this day to my dad. Enjoy.
July 5, 2010
I couldn’t find a definite answer to my question about the origins of Chocolate Mayonnaise cake but most people believe that Hellman’s came up with it in the early half of the 1900s.
Who knows? The fact of the matter is that mayonnaise cake is fudgey, moist, chocolate Nirvana. There is something about the mayonnaise that reacts with the rest of the ingredients to create a crumb that is unlike anything else.. You can’t taste the mayo at all…and many recipes don’t call for eggs
This cake will go together really quickly for you. There isn’t any separating of the eggs, fancy mixing, or special techniques – just a straight forward cake. You may want to put on a retro style apron and play some Big Band music while you put this together…don’t forget the heels and pearls…
I dust my cake pans for chocolate cake with cocoa. That way any cocoa that clings to the crust of the cake it the same color as the cake. Just do it the same way you do with white flour…spoon a little into a greased pan and shake it around until it covers all surfaces then dump it out.
Once the layers have completely cooled brush them lightly with your hand to get the loose cocoa and any crumbs off. Put the first layer on the cake plate, spoon your frosting on and you are ready to go…. To my original cake I added a chocolate drip made with equal amounts of dark chocolate and heavy cream, heated to just a simmer and stirred smooth the poured over the chilled cake. I also added 1/2 cup of chopped pecans to the top. These additions are not reflected in the recipe or nutritional information.
The frosting recipe was adapted from Sweetopia. SO good!
YOU MIGHT NEED…
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Good cake pans are a must. I use high sided 8-inch cake pans for my cakes so if your cake pans have low sides you may need to make it 4 layers. These are my favorites, from Wilton.
Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake
Ingredients
Cake
- 4 ounces high quality 70% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate , chopped
- 1 cup Cocoa , I used Hershey's Special extra dark
- 1 3/4 cups dark coffee or water , boiling
- 2 2/3 cups all purpose flour
- 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup dark brown sugar , packed
- 1 1/3 cups mayonnaise ,(I prefer Hellman's to anything else....but do not use reduced-fat or fat-free)
- 2 eggs ,large
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Fudge Frosting
- 2 1/4 cups butter , softened
- 1 1/2 cups Confectioners' sugar
- 3/4 cup dark cocoa powder , I used Hershey's Special extra dark
- 1/2 cup coffee ,hot and double strength
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
- 10 ounces dark chocolate , chopped and melted
- 1 tablespoon white corn syrup
Instructions
Cake
- Preheat oven to 350F
- Grease and dust three 8 -inch cake pans with cocoa
- Melt the chocolate in the microwave just until softened and you can stir it smooth - about 1 minute.
- Combine melted chocolate and cocoa in a bowl. Whisk in boiling coffee (or water) and whisk until the mixture is smooth. Set aside.
- Sift the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a bowl. Set aside.
- With a mixer beat the sugar and the mayonnaise until blended. Add eggs one at a time, and finally the egg yolk.
- Beat in the vanilla.
- Add the flour in four additions, alternately with the chocolate mixture.
- Beat well after each addition.
- Divide batter evenly among the cake pans.
- Bake about 30 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.
- Cool cake for 20 minutes.
- Loosen cakes from sides of pans, turn out, and cool completely.
Frosting
- In a bowl of stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment beat the butter on medium speed about 6 minutes or until pale and fluffy.
- Sift together the confectioners' sugar and cocoa powder.
- Reduce mixer speed to low.
- Add the confectioners' sugar mixture, beating until well blended.
- Continue beating on low and add the coffee, sour cream, vanilla, and salt.
- Beat 1 minute.
- Increase the speed to medium and whip for 2 minutes.
- Add the melted chocolate and beat until smooth, about 2 minutes more.
Nutrition
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Original Images
Margie says
Does the chocolate mayonnaise cake need to be refrigerated?
Marye Audet says
No
Leslie says
Is 2 1/4 cup of butter a typo?
Marye Audet says
Nope. It’s correct.
Hayley says
Wow, the new photos of the cakes look AMAZING! Such huge progress (the old photos do also look quite delicious too FYI).
Marye Audet says
Thank yoU!
Monica says
Close, but not quite my grandmother’s mayonnaise cake recipe… truly a nommy delight.
Austin Cook says
i love to eat cakes and bake them too that is why i am always on the lookout for cake recipes,`:
Nathan Rodriguez says
Cake recipes are the specialty of my best friend, my favorite ones are those exotic fruit cakes
Neé Neé says
Mary – how much salt should we use?
maryeaudet says
Just a fourth teaspoon
maryeaudet says
Jonica – they would make great cupcakes.