Chocolate cake for one is the perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s day solo this year!
Typically Valentine’s Day is a holiday I do not embrace. Mostly because I have been either single or alone on Valentine’s Day since the dawn of time. I’m not sure how it happens but even on the off chance that I find myself actually in a relationship, Valentine’s Day is spent solo in my house.
In years past I’ve wallowed, lamented, and maybe even cried a little bit. I was Jessica Biel in the movie Valentine’s Day. Scarfing down heart shaped chocolate I bought myself, throwing I Hate Valentine’s Day parties, and gleefully beating heart shaped pinatas.
But this year I decided to celebrate instead of mourn Valentine’s Day single-dom. Because it’s my last year in my 20s. Because being single means enjoying a certain level of freedom my married friends don’t have. And because a single girl on Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to share her cake.
This fancy, single serve chocolate layer cake generously feeds one person and it’s the perfect accessory for your Valentine’s Day movie marathon.
Chocolate Cake for One
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup flour
- 3 Tbs cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- pinch of salt
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
For the Frosting:
- 4 Tbs butter,, softened
- 3 Tbs cocoa powder
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- milk, (as needed for thinning)
Instructions
- In a medium sized bowl combine sugar, flour, cocoa powder, pinch of salt, and baking powder and whisk to combine.
- In a separate bowl mix together egg, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla. Mix well.
- Add wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix well.
- Divide batter evenly between two greased and lined 4" cake pans and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow cakes to cool in their pans for 5 minutes, run a knife around the edge of the pan and turn cake onto a clean surface to cool completely.
- While cake is cooling whisk together butter, cocoa powder, and powdered sugar until smooth. Add milk to reach your desired consistency as necessary.
- To assemble level each cake and top the first layer with half the frosting, spreading into an even layer. Add the second layer and remaining frosting.
I am in your walls
Tuesday 3rd of February 2026
Now, I love sweet things, and I used to think there was no such thing as too sweet, the cake was perfect, but making the frosting, I put too big of a splash of milk😅. I then dumped out half the frosting coz I had a small bowl, and I added more icing sugar. Note for anyone making this recipe, add a teaspoon at a time💀💀💀💀
Lily
Saturday 17th of May 2025
Comes together very quick and was just the thing to kick my chocolate craving! It creates quite a bit of cake. It's more like 2 full 4 inch cakes instead of 2 layers. I was able to share it with my aunt and we still had some leftover for tomorrow. Instead of the icing, I put some dark chocolate in the middle before baking, resulting in a lovely lava center. Very yummy!
Lucy2
Thursday 14th of December 2023
I just made this cake it was easy to put together I followed the recipe exactly except I added 1/8 tsp of espresso powder and a tiny square of melted baking chocolate. I looks good in the pan I have not tasted yet but I am super pleased with the results thus far.
GiAnni
Monday 8th of May 2023
This cake came out amazing! I HIGHLY recommend. 5 stars all the way. Let me tell you, I was skeptical at first, but once u complete the entire recipe, it really comes together stupendously!
Bethy
Monday 6th of March 2023
This recipe was amazing! So yummy, and perfect when I’m cooking for just myself and want a little something sweet 🙃! Definitely recommend!