Nairobi Chocolate Cake

This oil-based Nairobi chocolate cake recipe with unsweetened cocoa powder is from the American Women's Association in Kenya from the late 1970s.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 50 mins
• Calories: 508 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 eggs, room temperature
• 0.5 teaspoon baking powder
• 0.75 cup water
• 0.75 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 0.75 cup vegetable oil
• 1.75 cups white sugar

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line with parchment paper.

Step 2

Beat flour, sugar, 3/4 cup water, cocoa powder, vegetable oil, salt, baking soda, and baking powder in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add eggs, remaining 1/2 cup water, and vanilla extract; beat 2 minutes more. Pour batter into the prepared cake pans.

Step 3

Bake in the preheated oven until surface of cakes spring back when lightly pressed and a toothpick inserted into centers comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.