4.27 from 26 votes

Mayonnaise Cake

This Mayonnaise Cake is super moist and delicious. Use mayonnaise instead of eggs in this yummy, rich chocolate cake recipe.

Mayonnaise cake in a pan with slices cut.


You read that right. Mayonnaise. In cake. While that may seem a little odd at first, it is delicious. This Mayonnaise Cake is the perfect balance of moist and chocolatey with an extra element of richness from the mayo. Considered one of the easiest and most delightful cakes ever, mix everything, pour it into a pan, and pop it in the oven. It’s super simple! Once you’ve tried this, you might never go back to store-bought cake mix again.

This Mayonnaise Cake is also perfect if you want a rich and indulgent treat but don’t have any eggs. It even adds a little extra flavor to the cake itself. This recipe is perfect for serving up at your next birthday party, potluck, get-together, or just because you want something sweet. 

recipe binder image

Why You’ll Love Mayonnaise Cake

  • Moist and Rich: The mayonnaise in this recipe contributes to the cake’s incredibly moist and rich texture. Every bite is a chocolatey delight that will leave you craving more.
  • Easy to Make: This easy cake is a breeze to whip up with easy-to-follow instructions and common pantry ingredients. It is the perfect dessert for people of all skill levels to make and enjoy.
  • Surprisingly Delicious: The combination of mayonnaise, cocoa, and vanilla extract creates a harmonious blend of flavors that will surprise and delight your taste buds. This cake is sure to become a favorite in your dessert rotation. 
  • Versatile: This moist cake is incredibly versatile. It can be served at a birthday or potluck or as a nice treat after a family dinner. Its versatility makes it suitable for any occasion, big or small. 

Ingredients 

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

  • All-purpose flour
  • Sugar
  • Cocoa
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Water
  • Mayonnaise
  • Milk
  • Vanilla extract
Ingredients to make mayonnaise cake.

How to Make Mayonnaise Cake

  • Step One: Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Step Two: In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, and baking soda.
  • Step Three: Stir in water, mayonnaise, milk, and vanilla. Spread the mixture into a greased 8×8 baking pan.
Steps to make mayonnaise cake.
  • Step Four: Bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes clean.
Steps to make mayonnaise cake.

Equipment Needed

Get our FREE
e-cookbook

    We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime.

    Here are some kitchen tools that will help you prepare this recipe.

    This post contains affiliate links.

    What to Serve with Mayonnaise Cake

    Several great things can be served with this delicious chocolate cake. 

    A piece of mayonnaise cake on a spatula.

    Variations and Substitutions 

    • Chocolate Chips or Nuts: Enhance the texture of this chocolate mayonnaise cake recipe by adding chocolate chips or chopped nuts to the batter. This will add a fantastic layer of flavor, and the nuts can add a little crunch. 
    • Frosting Choices: Experiment with different frostings, such as chocolate ganache, cream cheese frosting, or a simple dusting of powdered sugar to suit your taste. You can even drizzle hot fudge, butterscotch, or strawberry sauce over the top. 
    • Coffee Infusion: Replace some water with brewed coffee for a subtle coffee undertone. Adding coffee can help intensify the cake’s rich chocolate flavor.
    • Mayonnaise Alternatives: If you prefer, you can use sour cream or plain Greek yogurt as a substitute for mayonnaise. This can add a tangy twist to the cake.

    Storage Instructions

    While it is highly unlikely that you will have any leftovers from this great recipe, you can easily store them. Cover your leftover cake with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. If you eat it within a day or two, it can be stored at room temperature. If you need it to keep a bit longer, place it in the fridge for up to 4 days. 

    Can I Freeze?

    If you want to store the chocolate mayo cake for an extended period, consider freezing it. Wrap individual slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. It will keep well for up to 3 months. 

    A piece of mayonnaise cake on a plate.

    Recipe Tips and Tricks

    • Mayonnaise Quality: Opt for good-quality real mayonnaise for the best results. It contributes to the cake’s moistness and flavor. It is also important that you choose full-fat mayonnaise to ensure perfect results. Hellmann’s mayonnaise is always a good choice. Do not use Miracle Whip.
    • Mix Evenly: When mixing the wet and dry ingredients, you want to ensure that you mix well and evenly. You don’t want clumps or lumps in your cake batter. 
    • Grease the Pan: You must properly grease your cake pan before making this recipe. If you don’t, you risk your cake sticking to the pan. You can also use parchment paper inside the pan to make removing the cake easier.
    • Cooling Time: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before removing or slicing. This helps the cake to maintain its structure and prevents it from falling apart.

    What Does Mayonnaise Do to Cake?

    Mayonnaise brings moisture and richness to cakes, creating a soft and tender texture with a velvety consistency. Made from oil, eggs, and vinegar, mayonnaise enhances the cake’s overall flavor and acts as a substitute for eggs in certain recipes. 

    Its emulsifiers contribute to a smooth batter, and the moisture-retaining properties extend the cake’s shelf life. While it may seem unconventional, adding mayonnaise to cakes often leads to a deliciously flavorful and moist chocolate cake.

    Frosting Ideas

    • Classic Chocolate Ganache
    • Cream Cheese Frosting
    • Whipped Chocolate Buttercream
    • Mocha Frosting
    • Salted Caramel Drizzle
    • Hazelnut Spread Frosting
    • Coconut Cream Frosting
    • Peppermint Cream
    • Peanut Butter Frosting
    • Orange Zest Cream
    • Chocolate Glaze
    • Easy Chocolate Frosting

    Can You Taste the Mayonnaise?

     You generally can’t taste the mayonnaise in your homemade chocolate cake. It adds moisture and richness to the cake without leaving a noticeable flavor.

    A piece of mayonnaise cake on a plate with a bite out of it.

    FAQ

    How long does it take to make this chocolate-mayonnaise cake? 

    Making this vintage recipe takes 10 minutes of prep time and 40 minutes of cooking time. It doesn’t take a long time to make, and it is delicious. 

    How many servings does this homemade cake make?

    This cake serves approximately 8. It is perfect for gatherings and get-togethers. 

    Chocolate Cake Recipes

    I have a few more delicious chocolate cake recipes for you to try.

    • Banana Chocolate Cake: Rich, luscious and fully of yummy chocolate flavour. You won’t be able to stop at just one piece.  
    • Hot Fudge Pudding Cake: So sinfully rich! Luscious chocolate cake bakes right with a creamy, chocolatey pudding sauce.
    • Mocha Cake: This Mocha Cake recipe is wonderful served with coffee or tea. It’s moist and delicious with hints of chocolate and coffee flavours.
    • Earthquake Cake: Feel the earth move with this luscious dessert! It may not be the prettiest dessert, but it sure tastes delicious.
    • Wacky Cake: Moist, chocolatey and easy to make! This vintage cake was popular in the Depression era and contains no butter, milk or eggs. 

    You might also like Fruit Cocktail Cake, Oatmeal Cake, Root Beer Float Sheet Cake and Fool’s Cake.

    Try my Homemade Mayonnaise.

    Follow me on Instagram @simplystacieblog, Facebook at Simply Stacie, TikTok @simplystacierecipes or Pinterest at @simplystacie and let me know how you liked this recipe and my other recipes.

    4.27 from 26 votes

    Mayonnaise Cake

    Created by Stacie Vaughan
    Servings 8
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 40 minutes
    Total Time 50 minutes
    Super moist and delicious. Use mayonnaise instead of eggs in this yummy chocolate cake recipe.

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 2 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 2 tbsp cocoa
    • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
    • 1 ½ tsp baking soda
    • 1 cup water
    • 1 cup mayonnaise
    • ½ cup milk
    • 2 tsp vanilla extract

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350°F.
    • In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder and baking soda.
    • Stir in water, mayonnaise, milk and vanilla. Spread mixture into a greased 8×8 baking pan.
    • Bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean.
    • Once cooled, frost with your favorite frosting.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1piece | Calories: 443kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 4.2g | Fat: 24.6g | Saturated Fat: 6.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 17.4g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 11.9mg | Sodium: 420.5mg | Fiber: 1.3g | Sugar: 26.1g

    The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    Course Desserts
    Cuisine American
    Keyword mayonnaise cake

    Did you make this recipe?

    I’d love to see it! Make sure to share it on your favorite social platform.

    Want Even More Recipes?

    Join Moms Best Recipes to find more delicious family recipes.


    The Best of Simply Stacie ebook cover.

    free ebook!

    The Best of Simply Stacie

    When you subscribe to the newsletter for the latest updates!

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    13 Comments

    1. Oh wow! This looks so delicious! My family would give everything just to have a piece of this cake. It looks so perfect.

    2. I make sheet cakes every month for a dealership I worked at and I always use mayo, it keeps the cakes so moist and delicious. I mention it to someone eating it and they don’t believe me, go figure. Hah.

    3. Hi, can I use eggless mayo in this recipe please ? My grand daughter cannot eat eggs.

    4. I love cake and baking it. I had no idea you could use mayo instead of eggs, that’s awesome to know. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday 

    5. I have never heard of substituting mayo for eggs but I”m sure it does make a moist and delicious cake. Thanks for sharing with us at #HomeMattersParty

    6. I remember hearing about these cakes when i was a young girl, but I have not made one. This looks so moist and delicious, I am looking forward to trying it! Thank you for sharing at Celebrate It!

    7. This recipe brings back so many memories. As a kid I loved mayo sandwiches on white bread. My Dad hated mayo so we never had any in the house. My mayo sandwich was satisfied at my aunt’s house – they always had mayo in the refrigerator. This cake was the only reason we would have mayo on hand. I’m not sure if my Dad knew it had mayo but it was one of his favorite cakes served plain and simple. Thank you for the recipe!

    8. Debby Carlson says:

      My mom made this for years. Differences were these: boil water and pour over 1 cup of raisins and let cool. Then add to ingredients. No milk . 1 cup of chopped pecans and 1 tsp cinnamon. Still my brother’s favorite. He asks for it every birthday!

      1. Thanks for sharing! I’ll have to try out your mom’s recipe.

    9. Sandra Federici says:

      Can this recipe be doubled and use a 9×13 pan?

    Similar Posts