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    Home » Baked Goods » Cakes & Cupcakes

    Published: Mar 4, 2022 · Modified: Apr 4, 2022 by Kelly Hamilton · This post may contain affiliate links

    Chocolate Chip Loaf Cake

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    This easy Chocolate Chip Loaf Cake is loaded with mini chocolate chips and topped with rich, silky chocolate buttercream. This cake is buttery, moist, and filled with chocolate in every bite!

    crumb of cake on a wire cooling rack with chocolate chips all around.
    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love this Chocolate Chip Loaf Cake
    • Recipe Ingredients
    • Step by Step Instructions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Tips and Tricks
    • Storing & Freezing
    • Want to try more recipes?
    • 📖 Recipe

    This easy Chocolate Chip Loaf Cake is the perfect dessert for a family get-together or small gathering. The cake itself is perfect- super buttery and moist, and stuffed with mini chocolate chips so that each bite you take is filled with chocolate chips.

    My favorite part is the chocolate buttercream on top. It's super fluffy and rich and compliments the cake so well. This is seriously one of my favorite recipes on the blog!

    If you love loaf cakes, try my Blood Orange Almond Cake. If it's not blood orange season, swap it for naval oranges. If you're a chocolate lover, look no further than my Chocolate Banana Bread Mug Cakes, or my Oreo Cheesecake Brownies!

    Why You'll Love this Chocolate Chip Loaf Cake

    • This cake is basically a pound cake, which is arguably the best kind of cake.
    • No layers to bake or frost like a 2 or 3-layer cake. Super easy in one loaf pan!
    • All the ingredients come together in one bowl.
    • Between the chocolate chips and the chocolate buttercream, there is no shortage of chocolate here. Calling all chocolate lovers!
    • This cake is super moist so it's perfect to make a day ahead and serve the next day! Also if you have any leftovers (emphasis on *if*), this cake freezes super well! Save it for a rainy day.

    Recipe Ingredients

    Here are some notes on a few ingredients- please see the full ingredient list in the recipe card below!

    • butter- I always use unsalted butter for baking, but if you only have salted butter on hand that is totally fine! Just omit the salt that the recipe calls for.
    • milk- I tested this recipe with whole milk and suggest using that for best results.
    • chocolate chips- I used mini because I think they give you more bits of chocolate spread throughout the cake, but you can absolutely use regular chocolate chips or a mix of both.
    ingredients needed to make chocolate chip loaf cake

    Step by Step Instructions

    Step 1: Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and set it aside. In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt and set aside.

    Step 2: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add in the eggs one at a time, mixing after each one. Then add in the vanilla extract. Be sure to scrape the sides of the bowl when needed.

    Step 3: Add the dry ingredients and the milk, alternating between the two and mixing in between (dry, milk, dry, milk, dry). Mix this until it's just incorporated, being careful not to overmix. Fold in the chocolate chips. Pour the batter into the loaf pan.

    Step 4: Bake for 55-65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.

    Remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool for at least 20 minutes before removing from the pan. Place on a wire cooling rack and allow it to cool completely before adding frosting and serving.

    Step 5: Make the buttercream- In a large bowl, cream the butter until smooth, about 1 minute. Add in the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, salt, and 1 tablespoon of cream/milk, mixing until combined. Add up to 1 more tablespoon of milk to reach desired consistency. Spread on to the cooled cake and enjoy!

    steps to make loaf cake- wet ingredients mixed together in a clear glass bowl. Dry ingredients + milk mixed into clear glass bowl. Chocolate chip loaf cake batter in a loaf paan. Chocolate buttercream whipped together in a clear glass bowl.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the difference between a pound cake and a loaf cake?

    Any cake baked in a loaf pan is a loaf cake. Pound cake traditionally is made with a pound each of butter, sugar, eggs, and flour and usually doesn't contain a leavening agent (like baking powder) or milk. This recipe isn't a traditional pound cake, but it's still dense and moist like one!

    Why did my cake sink in the middle?

    This means you underbaked the loaf. Everyone's ovens are different, so you might need to leave the cake in a few minutes longer. Check with a toothpick before taking it out.

    How do I keep my chocolate chips from sinking?

    Sometimes add-ins will sink during the baking process (because of gravity!) but I find that the thicker the batter is, the less they sink. This cake batter is pretty thick and I found that my mini chocolate chips didn't sink too much. You can always toss the chips in flour before folding them into the batter!

    Why is my cake dry?

    If you find that your cake came out dry, that means you left it in the oven a little too long. Make sure you're using an oven thermometer to check the actual temperature of your oven. Also when baking the cake, I like to check on it around 50 minutes, and then every 5 minutes until it's ready.

    overhead view of sliced cake on white parchment paper. 2 slices are facing upward.

    Tips and Tricks

    • spoon and level your flour- I always recommend spooning and leveling your flour when baking. Scooping the measuring cup right into the flour will actually compact the flour and give much more than the recipe calls for. To spoon and level, use a large spoon to gently scoop the flour into your measuring cup. Once it's full, use a flat edge (like a butter knife) to gently scrape across the top of the measuring cup.
    • Don't overmix the batter- overmixing batter can give you a gummy cake, which isn't what we want here! Make sure to mix the dry ingredients and milk in each additional JUST till it's combined.
    • Watch the baking time- Loaf cakes take a while to bake, so I would start checking on it around 50 minutes in. Since everyone's ovens are different, the baking times may vary.
    • Cover with tinfoil- If you notice the top of your cake starting to brown before it's done, cover it with tinfoil and continue baking.

    Storing & Freezing

    This cake will stay fresh in an airtight container for up to 4 days at room temperature, and up to 1 week in the fridge. You can freeze this cake after it has been baked and cooled completely.

    fork full of cake on a white plate with chocolate buttercream on top.

    Want to try more recipes?

    • Blood Orange Almond Pound Cake
    • Funfetti Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
    • Peach Cupcakes
    • Banana Bread Bundt Cake

    If you made this recipe, I would love to know what you thought! Leave me a star rating and a comment below ⭐️ Your reviews not only help my business but other bakers as well!

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    📖 Recipe

    Chocolate Chip Loaf Cake

    Kelly Hamilton
    This easy chocolate chip loaf cake is loaded with mini chocolate chips and topped with rich and silky chocolate buttercream. This cake is buttery, moist, and chocolate-y with every bite!
    4.94 from 15 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 mins
    Cook Time 1 hr
    Total Time 1 hr 30 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12 servings
    Calories 317 kcal

    Equipment

    • Mixing Bowl Set
    • Electric Hand Mixer
    • Parchment Paper Sheets
    • Silicone Spatula
    • Loaf Pan

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1½ cup all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¾ cup unsalted butter at room temperature
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • 2 large eggs at room temperature
    • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ½ cup whole milk at room temperature
    • 1 cup mini chocolate chips

    Chocolate Buttercream

    • ¼ cup unsalted butter at room temperature
    • 1¼ cup powdered sugar
    • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • pinch salt
    • 1-2 tablespoon heavy cream/whole milk
    Text Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper and set it aside. I like to hold my parchment paper down with small clips and then remove it once I pour the batter in.
    • In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, salt and set aside.
    • In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add in the eggs one at a time, mixing after each one. Then add in the vanilla extract.
    • Add the dry ingredients and the milk, alternating between the two and mixing in between (dry, milk, dry, milk, dry). Mix this until it's just incorporated, being careful not to overmix. Fold in the chocolate chips and then pour the batter into the loaf pan.
    • Bake for 55-65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.
    • Remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool for at least 20 minutes before removing from the pan. Place on a wire cooling rack and allow it to cool completely before frosting and serving.

    Make the chocolate buttercream

    • In a large bowl, cream the butter until smooth, about 1 minute. Add in the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, salt, and 1 tablespoon of cream/milk, mixing until combined. Add up to 1 more tablespoon of milk to reach desired consistency.

    Video

    Notes

    • Measure your flour correctly- use the spoon and measure method, or measure the ingredients using a kitchen scale for the most accurate measurements. 
    • Don't overmix the batter- overmixing batter can give you a gummy cake, which isn't what we want here! Make sure to mix the dry ingredients and milk in each additional JUST till it's combined.
    • Watch the baking time- Loaf cakes take a while to bake, so I would start checking on it around 50 minutes in. Since everyone's ovens are different, the baking times may vary.
    • Cover with tinfoil- If you notice the top of your cake starting to brown before it's done, cover it with tinfoil and continue baking.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 317kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 111mg | Potassium: 45mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 444IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was! Share on Instagram and tag @bake.andbacon

    This post contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something off of one of those links I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my blog!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Crystal says

      November 13, 2022 at 4:37 pm

      Hi Kelly, what size pan would I use if I double the recipe? Thank you!

      Reply
      • Kelly Hamilton says

        November 15, 2022 at 10:11 am

        Hi Crystal! I haven't tested it in a bigger pan, but you could try a square 8x8 or 9x9 pan. Might need to let it bake a few minutes longer too! If the top starts to brown too much in the oven, cover it with foil towards the end of baking.

        Reply
    2. Elizabeth A. Phillippy says

      September 09, 2022 at 6:25 am

      Can a different flour be used in replace of All Purpose?
      Possibly Oat, Rice etc.
      Thank you

      Reply
      • Kelly Hamilton says

        September 12, 2022 at 11:29 am

        Hi Elizabeth! Unfortunately, I haven't tested this recipe with any other flours other than all-purpose. Since flours are all made differently and weigh different amounts, swapping them out is hard. You could try 1 for 1 gluten-free flour but I'm not sure how the texture would turn out. Sorry!

        Reply
    3. Peggy McConnell says

      August 17, 2022 at 5:38 am

      5 stars
      What kind of non-dairy milk would you suggest for substitution in this recipe?

      Reply
      • Kelly Hamilton says

        August 17, 2022 at 7:33 am

        Hi Peggy! I haven't tested this recipe with non-dairy milk, but I would try something creamier like oat milk if you can have that! If not almond or soy could work, it might just change the texture and baking time a bit.

        Reply
    4. Coty says

      June 30, 2022 at 12:21 pm

      4 stars
      Cake is excellent but not a fan of powdered sugar frosting. Will be making 1 minute frosting instead.

      Reply
    5. Lea says

      March 10, 2022 at 9:31 am

      5 stars
      i saw this shared on FB and i had to try it out immediately and let me just say it is dangerous. could not stop eating it and I will definitely be making it again for easter brunch.

      Reply
      • Kelly Hamilton says

        March 11, 2022 at 9:41 am

        So glad you found this on FB and tried it, Lea!

        Reply
    6. Sue says

      March 10, 2022 at 8:41 am

      5 stars
      I just made this recipe and it turned out so amazing! The cake is perfectly moist and the buttercream on top is delicious. My family loved it!

      Reply
      • Kelly Hamilton says

        March 11, 2022 at 9:40 am

        Thanks so much for trying this recipe, Sue. So happy to hear you and your family enjoyed it.

        Reply
    7. Mary Beth Hamilton says

      March 05, 2022 at 2:20 pm

      5 stars
      What an easy and simple recipe to make. The cake is so good and I did not even make the icing for it. Wonderful taste and easy to make - you won’t be disappointed!

      Reply
      • Kelly Hamilton says

        March 08, 2022 at 5:37 pm

        Thanks so much for trying this recipe Mary Beth! So happy to hear you enjoyed it!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Kelly! I'm the self-taught baker, food photographer, and dog mom behind Bake & Bacon. I'm here to bring you easy recipes for my favorite things- delicious breakfasts and decadent desserts!

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