5-Minute Cake Recipe: Quick, Easy, and Irresistibly Delicious

Imagine whipping up a cake in just 5 minutes of prep time and having a delicious, homemade treat ready to enjoy in less than an hour. This easy and quick cake recipe is perfect for those moments when you crave something sweet but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. Made with simple ingredients like eggs, sugar, yogurt, and cocoa powder, this cake is light, moist, and full of flavor. The addition of instant coffee enhances the richness of the cocoa, making it a delightful dessert for any occasion. Whether you’re serving it as a quick treat for unexpected guests or enjoying a slice with your afternoon coffee, this cake is sure to become a daily favorite.

Ingredients:

Eggs: 3 large
Sugar: 150 g (¾ cup)
Vegetable Oil: 100 mL (⅓ cup + 1 tablespoon)
Plain Yogurt: 150 g (⅔ cup)
Salt: A pinch
Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon
Plain Flour: 200 g (1¼ cups)
Baking Powder: 1½ teaspoons (6 g)
Cocoa Powder: 1 tablespoon (10 g)
Instant Coffee: 1 teaspoon
Warm Water: About 2 tablespoons
Chocolate Sprinkles (Optional): For garnish

Instructions:

Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 170°C (338°F). Grease a 21x11x6 cm baking pan or line it with parchment paper to prevent the cake from sticking.
Prepare the Batter:
In a large mixing bowl, crack the eggs and add the sugar. Whisk together until the mixture becomes light and frothy. This process helps to incorporate air, making the cake light and fluffy.
Add the Wet Ingredients:
Pour in the vegetable oil, plain yogurt, and vanilla extract. Add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors. Whisk everything together until well combined. The yogurt adds moisture to the cake, ensuring a tender crumb, while the oil keeps it light and soft.
Incorporate the Dry Ingredients:
Sift in the plain flour and baking powder. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using a spatula or a whisk. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cake dense. You want to mix just until the flour is fully incorporated.
Add the Cocoa and Coffee Mixture:
In a small bowl, dissolve the instant coffee in about 2 tablespoons of warm water. Add the cocoa powder to the coffee mixture and stir until smooth. This step intensifies the chocolate flavor and adds a subtle depth to the cake. Pour the cocoa-coffee mixture into the batter and gently fold it in, creating a marbled effect or mixing it fully for a uniform chocolate flavor.
Bake the Cake:
Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. If desired, sprinkle some chocolate sprinkles on top for added texture and a decorative touch. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so start checking around the 35-minute mark.
Cool and Serve:
Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and serve the cake as is, or dust with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.

Cooking Tips:

Room Temperature Ingredients: For the best results, ensure that your eggs and yogurt are at room temperature before you start. This helps the ingredients blend more smoothly, resulting in a better texture.
Customize the Flavor: You can add different flavors to the cake by incorporating spices like cinnamon or nutmeg, or by adding orange zest for a citrusy twist. If you’re a chocolate lover, consider adding some chocolate chips to the batter for an extra indulgent treat.
Check for Doneness: The key to a perfect cake is not overbaking. Start checking the cake around 35 minutes. If the toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs, the cake is done.
Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The cake stays moist and delicious, making it perfect for enjoying with a cup of coffee or tea.

Nutritional Benefits:

While this cake is undoubtedly a treat, it does offer some nutritional benefits thanks to its ingredients. Eggs are a good source of protein and essential vitamins like B12, which supports energy production and nervous system health. Yogurt provides calcium and probiotics, which are beneficial for bone health and digestion. Although the cake contains sugar, the use of vegetable oil instead of butter reduces the saturated fat content, making it a lighter option compared to traditional cakes. Additionally, the instant coffee and cocoa powder add antioxidants, which help protect your cells from damage.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

You’ll love this recipe for its simplicity and quick preparation. With just a few basic ingredients and minimal effort, you can create a delicious cake that’s perfect for any occasion. The combination of vanilla, cocoa, and coffee creates a rich, aromatic flavor that’s hard to resist, while the yogurt keeps the cake moist and tender. This recipe is versatile—you can enjoy it as a simple everyday cake, or dress it up with different toppings and flavors for special occasions. It’s also a great recipe to have on hand when you need a dessert in a hurry, as the batter comes together in just 5 minutes, and the cake bakes in less than 40 minutes.

Dietary Information:

Vegetarian: This cake is suitable for vegetarians as it contains no meat or animal by-products.
Dairy-Free Option: If you’re lactose intolerant or prefer a dairy-free option, you can substitute the plain yogurt with a dairy-free yogurt alternative.
Low Saturated Fat: The use of vegetable oil instead of butter reduces the saturated fat content, making this cake a lighter option.
No Refined Butter: This recipe uses oil instead of butter, which some may prefer for its neutral flavor and light texture.

Why This Recipe Works:

This recipe works because it balances simplicity with delicious results. The combination of eggs, sugar, and yogurt creates a moist and tender cake, while the vegetable oil adds a lightness that makes the cake soft and airy. The use of instant coffee enhances the cocoa powder, adding depth to the chocolate flavor without overpowering it. The recipe is also incredibly versatile—you can easily adapt it to suit your taste by adding different flavors or mix-ins. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a beginner, this cake is practically foolproof, making it a go-to recipe for quick and easy desserts.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, this 5-minute cake recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves quick, easy, and delicious desserts. With just a few basic ingredients and minimal prep time, you can have a homemade cake ready in less than an hour. The combination of rich chocolate, aromatic coffee, and creamy yogurt creates a cake that’s light, moist, and full of flavor. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or just to satisfy a sweet craving, this cake is sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection. So, the next time you need a quick dessert, give this easy cake recipe a try—you might find yourself making it every day!