Chocolate Sponge Cake can be used as the foundation for so many different desserts. With just four, simple ingredients, this recipe is the perfect addition to any home baker’s tool belt.
An easy sponge cake is a must for every home cook. Once you learn the basics of the cake, you’ll be able to use it for so many different recipes. Consider it the gift that keeps on giving.
Despite its impressive texture and appearance, this cake comes together so simply. It doesn’t require oil or butter, just sugar, flour, cocoa powder, and eggs.
How to Make Chocolate Sponge Cake
While the ingredients are simple, the technique makes all the difference. To get that light, airy texture associated with all great sponge cakes, follow the simple steps below.
- With a stand or handheld mixer, beat eggs with sugar until they increase three times in volume. For a stand mixer, this will take about 10 minutes. If using a hand mixer, it may take twice as long. The batter is the correct consistency when you get thick ribbons.
- Sift in flour and cocoa powder.
- Using a spatula, fold in the dry ingredients. Be gentle and don’t over mix as this can compromise the fluffiness of the cake.
- Add cake batter to oiled or parchment paper lined baking pan.
- Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Do the classic toothpick check to gauge doneness. Use for your favorite recipe!
Hot Tip: If you have a springform pan, use it! Since the sponge cake is so delicate, this will help ensure you don’t break or crack the cake.
Tips for the Best Chocolate Sponge Cake
You don’t need to have the background of a fancy French baker to make the perfect sponge cake. Below, find our top tips and tricks to nail this recipe each and every time.
- Use room temperature eggs. They will beat better and will help achieve that fluffy, airy texture.
- Beat the egg mixture long enough. In a stand mixer, this will take about 10 minutes on medium-high speed. The batter is ready when you get thick ribbons and can create shapes with it.
- Use the right flour. A high-quality, all-purpose flour is all you need. No cake flour required for this recipe. We love to use European or Canadian brands sine they typically have a higher protein content.
- Add the cocoa powder. You can use any cocoa powder but my absolute favorite is this one. It’s my go-to for baking!
- Don’t forget to fold. It might seem like an inconsequential step, but folding in your dry ingredients with a spatula makes all the difference. Stirring or whisking will destroy the cakes fluffiness and result in a flat, dense cake.
- Line or oil the pan. Prevent your cake from sticking and cracking by lining or oiling your cake pan. If you do run into issues, simply take a butter knife and run it along the edges of the pan to loosen the cake from its hold. Additionally, give the cake time to cool to room temperature and set before you attempt to remove it.
- Getting a nice, even cake top. Right before placing the sponge cake in the oven, shake the pan slightly to create an even top. This will remove any air bubbles and ensure your frosting can glide right across the cake with no issue.
- Resist the urge to open the oven. When baking, it can be really tempting to want to open the oven and check in on your cake. Resist the urge! When cold, outside air enters the oven, it can cause your cake to sink in the center.
- Cool on a wire rack. After you allow your sponge cake to cool in the cake pan for 10-15 minutes, transfer it to a wire wrack to finish the process. This will help the bottoms and sides set.
Ways To Use Chocolate Sponge Cake
Now that you’ve mastered the chocolate sponge cake base, it’s time to create some awesome desserts. Here are a couple of our favorite recipes try:
- Chocolate Liqueur Cake – Liqueur soaked cake is a game changer. Talk about moist and flavorful.
- Strawberry Chocolate Cake – A chocolate dipped strawberry in cake form. What more is there to say?
- Drunken Cherry Cake – These cherries may have had too much to drink, but they sure do make for a wonderful cake.
FAQ
What makes a sponge cake light and fluffy?
It’s all about the folding. Overmixing your cake batter will result in a dense, flat cake.
What is the difference between a regular cake and sponge cake?
Regular cake often requires butter, sugar, flour, eggs, and some type of leavening agent. Sponge cake, on the other hand, can be made with just flour, beaten eggs, and sugar. In this case, we add a bit of cocoa powder, but feel free to omit if you don’t want to go the chocolate route.
Why is my chocolate sponge cake dry?
If there’s too much flour, your cake will likely turn out dry. When it comes to baking, measuring really matters. This is where the sifting step comes in handy too. Ensuring that there are no lumps prevents pockets of flour from drying out your cake.
Cakes, Cakes, and More Cakes
Looking for a couple more cakes to add to your baking arsenal? Check out a few more of our favorites below.
- Cherry Cake Recipe – Summer is a cherry season, so bust out this cherry cake recipe to make the most of it.
- Tiramisu Crepe Cake – Coffee and crepes come together for a unique spin on a classic tiramisu.
- Russian Honey Cake – For all the sweet tooth havers out there. This cake packs some serious decadence.
- Tiramisu Cake – Cap off pasta night with this popular Italian dessert.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
Instructions
- Beat 6 eggs (no need to separate them) with sugar until batter is three times in volume. This will take roughly 10 minutes in a stand mixer, longer if using a hand mixer.
- Sift flour and cocoa powder into the egg mixture.
- Using a spatula, carefully fold in dry ingredients. Be very gentle with the dough so you don’t over mix it and lose all the fluffiness.
- Add cake batter to an oiled or parchment paper lined baking sheet. A springform baking pan works amazing as well and makes the transferring process that much easier. Aim to use a pan that is 9-12 inches is diameter.
- Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes. Do the toothpick check to gauge doneness. Use in your favorite desserts that require chocolate sponge. The possibilities are endless!
- This recipe doesn’t need baking soda or baking powder. The leavening agent is the air that is beat into the batter.
Hallo Have yet to make this cake.... can't wait! Thanks for sharing. Just a question, please clarify. When NOT using a raising agent, baking powder or baking soda (bi-carb) is it necessary to grease your pan?
Hi Kathy, yes, you would need to grease pan to prevent sticking. Also, the cake doesn't need raising agent, the eggs become very fluffy and give this cake enough of a raise. Also, I think you will find this video useful: https://www.youtube.com/watch…. Enjoy!
Can I bake in fan oven?
Hey there Antonio, If you are referring to a convection oven, Yes you absolutely can!
How far in advance can this be made?
Hi Mariya- sponge cake can easily be made a few days in advance, just make sure to store it in an airtight cake saver container OR wrapped tightly in plastic wrap. Enjoy!
I love the simplicity of your cake
Thank you so much Karine! I appreciate the feedback.
I am completely bummed on how my cakes came out both times. I'm just getting into baking. I creamed the eggs and sugar until described. Sifted the floor and cocoa (Hersheys baking powder), and then folded it gently into the sugar/egg mixture. I doubled the recipe in two batches to cover 2 9" light colored springform pans. The first time I tried, the two cakes were like flat couch seat foam. Tonight I tried again, but these two came out just flat and even more dense. In reading other recipes, does this recipe not need baking soda or powder? If not, I'm hoping you can offer up some ideas on what I am doing wrong. I never opened the oven, and cooking for 30 minutes exactly, cooking in an electric oven at 350° on the middle rack (third slot up from the bottom) in opposing corners not touching. Please help rescue my sponge. 😔
Hi Ron- Most cakes use a leavening agent like baking powder but in this case the air in the beaten eggs is what *should* cause the sponge to rise. You need to make sure to beat them for 15-20 minutes or so, so that enough air is beat into it. We will be reviewing this recipe soon and hope to add more notes and details to the recipe so that everyone can be successful.
So the sugar/egg mixture should be thick and 'foamy' with tiny bubbles? I only mixed until they were mixed and I had say 'dime sized' bubbles that produced more of a shiny look. Thank you for your help. I also intend on making an Amaretto syrup to lightly apply to layers. Will that work with a sponge cake such as this? And lastly, is the batter enough for two 9" springforms, or just one? Again thank you for your help.
Hi Ron- you will need to beat a bit longer, until you get thick ribbons (when you lift the whisk attachment from the mixture, the batter should fall back in thick ribbons). The batter should also be voluminous (nearly tripled in size) before you fold in the flour and cocoa powder. The amaretto syrup will work, it sounds like a delicious addition! Last, this recipe is for just one 9" sponge cake, so you will need to either double this recipe or make it in 2 batches if you need two sponge layers.
The egg/sugar beating had been my downfall. The batter came out beautifully silky on the remake, and all three cakes (for a 6 layer cake) came out perfectly! Yay! Now I start assembly, complete with a Frangelico syrup, a Frangelico Swiss meringue buttercream. And then a Nutella drip ganache, drip candied hazelnuts and spun sugar for the top. I know it sounds too rich, but that's what my spouse loves. Thank you SO much for your help. I learned a lot about doing my own sponge for the first time. I couldn't have done it without you.
Ron- this makes me so happy! I'm really glad I could help you troubleshoot the sponge recipe and that it worked out the second time around. That sounds like a lovely cake, you're welcome to tag us with a photo of it on social media (@momsdish for Instagram or "Momsdish" on Facebook). Enjoy!
Hi I'm wondering if I can use an 8.5" springform? That's all I have 🙂
Hi Sally, I recommend using a 9inches or larger pan, but if it's all you have then give it a try. I hope you love it!
Hi! I loved your regular sponge cake but I’m wondering with this one are we using natural cocoa or Dutch cocoa? Thanks
Hi Win- my favorite cocoa powder that I use every time is actually the Navitas brand one. I'm so glad you asked because now I can go add that tidbit of information into the recipe so others know as well. 🙂 Here is the affiliate link to my favorite: https://amzn.to/3oQnhpV
Hi Natalya, I just wanted to say a massive thank you for sharing this recipe. I made it for my partner's birthday last year and it came out absolutely AMAZING. Compliments all around (from his family), and the cake was soft and delicate. It's actually an anniversary of making it again for my partner's birthday this year. And I can't wait to share it with others! Best, V.
Viktoriya- thank you so much for taking the time to leave this kind comment! I'm so happy this cake is becoming a tradition of sorts for you. Enjoy!
Hello! Is there any difference in using powdered sugar vs. regular cane sugar in the cream in terms of texture and quantity?
Hi Elona, I have only tried using can sugar. I do think it will effect the sponge cake if you use powdered sugar. Hope this helps.
Great easy recipe. I'm from Indonesia. I try this recipe and change chocolate to cheese version by using fine shredded cheddar cheese 165gram. It turn really great despite only using smaller pan (not 9"). But the cheese flavor is kinda lacking... Photo is available, inform me if you want it.
Next I will buy the 9" pan and try to make it again.
My question is, if I want this sponge cake have more cheese flavor. What should I do?
I like sponge cake without filling. Pure sponge cake is love 💕
Hi Aris - Thanks for such detailed feedback! One of our team members is Indonesian, so she knows exactly about this cheesy sponge cake. 🙂 How cool! If you follow us on Facebook, you can share you picture there. We love getting photos from our readers. In terms of adding extra cheese flavor, I'm not too sure. I've never made this style of sponge cake before. Sorry I can't help more here!
When using a springform pan, can it be a 9”, 10” or 12” pan?
Hi John- yes, any of those sizes will work. Enjoy!
I've tried this recipe today and very disappointed as to how it turned out. I followed the recipe and the cake came out stodgy and dry.
Hi Reyah- sorry to hear the cake didn't come out, I know that can be disappointing. My suggestions for making sure it comes out fluffy and not too dry are: 1) make sure eggs are room temperature 2)sift flour 3) fold in flour gently and don't overmix, this will compromise the fluffiness and airy-ness of the cake. I hope these tips are useful!
Would it be possible to stack this 2 or 3 layers with a light frosting or whipped cream in-between or would it collapse?
Hi Rachel - That would definitely be possible! We always slice the sponge cake into several layers for many different cakes on our website and frost it. For example, check out this recipe for Cake Prague: https://momsdish.com/recipe/7…. Thanks for your note!
Please advise can I use cake flour?
Hi Eileen - We advise against using cake flour for this recipe and have not tried it ourselves. Typical all-purpose flour works best in our opinion. Hope this helps!
I made it with two layers and half the icing and it turned out really well! Used the toasted hazelnuts to spell out the age on a birthday cake. Thank you Natalya!
Hi Trish, your cake sounds beautiful!! I am so glad you loved the recipe, thank you for taking the time to comment!
I had to bake for 55 mins to have the cake cooked through. What did I do wrong 😅
Hey Elle, I would check your oven. Unless you used a different size pan, it shouldn't take that long.
What do you like to use for the soaking syrup? Any recommendations that would work for all types of cakes?
Hey Ang, under "Ways To Use Chocolate Sponge Cake" you can see some options on how we use the sponge cake and how you can soak it up. Enjoy
Can I double this recipe to get two cakes, or is it best to do it one at a time?
Hey Ang, this sponge cake is used as a layering base. You can definitely double it up. Tip, You may need a very large mixing bowl.
Did it! Followed the recipe to a tee and it worked perfectly!! Looks exactly like picture which very rarely happens. Is there a way however I could make the cake more moist?
Hey Jasna, the sponge cake is there as a base for layering. In the recipes, we linked we have creams that go with it, they make it moist. You can also soak it with different syrups as well.
No baking powder?
Nope, this recipe doesn't require any.
I used a 9.5” springform pan and it came out super thin and hard. I thought about using a smaller pan size but it certainly didn’t rise much at all. All other recipes I’ve seen for done cake separates the yolks and whites and fold into the meringue so I thought I’d try this one since it was less fussy. Maybe I’ll try to give it another go.
Hey Josephine, you have to be gentle when you fold in the flour and make sure that eggs are perfectly fluffy. We have a video we did on Instagram, it may be helpful, account is @momsdish.
Thank you for sharing such an easy recipe. It's light but full of flavour and is perfect for layer cakes!
I'm glad you enjoyed it, Julia! Thank you for your feedback!
I like to live simply...usually. And this cake is so perfect for my obsession with simple cake toppings of whipped cream and strawberries. Just absolutely incredible combination! I love the bouncy delicate texture of the cake and the smooth, simple sweetness! Way easier than I thought and so delicious!
Oh yum, whipped cream and strawberries sounds delicious! I'm so glad you loved the sponge, thank you for your feedback!
This was such a yummy and unique cake. Heaven on the tongue!
So glad you loved it, thank you, Krystle!!
My cake was dry . What did I do wrong? It was not like a vs Illa sponge moist cake.
Hello Barbara, I'm sorry the recipe didn't turn out as expected. My advice is to make sure you don't use too much flour (to measure correctly: spoon flour into measuring cup and then level off with a butter knife), and to also sift the flour before using. I hope this information is helpful and yields better results if you give this recipe another go!