This chocolate cake is moist, rich, and tastes just like the famous Portillo’s chocolate cake. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply craving a sweet treat, with just a few simple ingredients and easy steps, you’ll be able to whip up a decadent chocolate cake that’s perfect for any occasion.

Portillo’s is a Chicago area icon, a restaurant known for their hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, and chocolate cake! This is supposedly the recipe that they use and it’s dangerously good.

Never in a million years would I have thought to try this unassuming chocolate cake at a hot dog joint until my hubby came home from work one day to tell me that he and his co-workers had bought a whole chocolate cake from there, and it was to die for! He was nice enough to smuggle a small slice home for me to try, and I had to agree. It was SO good!

A quick search online and I had the top-secret (not really) recipe for Portillo’s chocolate cake in my hands. I thought I’d have a hard time finding it, but it’s ALL over the Internet (so I don’t know who to credit!). I have to say, I was surprised to say the least. The base of the cake? Betty Crocker devil’s food cake mix. The only time I make an exception and use boxed cake mix is when I make this Better Than Sex Cake. I was skeptical, but enough people, including some former Portillo’s employees, confirmed that Betty Crocker is what they use!

Portillo’s Chocolate Cake Ingredients

The ingredients in this cake are simple, but combine to create a chocolate cake that is moist, rich, and full of flavor, just like the famous Portillo’s chocolate cake. It will have you coming back for a second piece (or a third, no judgement). For the full recipe, see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

1. Box of Betty Crocker devil’s food cake: This serves as the base for the chocolate cake. Devil’s food cake is known for its rich, moist texture and deep chocolate flavor. While I love a good chocolate cake from scratch, using a boxed mix provides convenience while still achieving delicious results.
2. Eggs: The binding agent in the cake batter, helping to hold the ingredients together and provide structure to the cake. They also contribute to the cake’s moisture and richness.
3. Ice cold water: Prevents the cake from becoming too dense and heavy.
4. Mayonnaise: The secret ingredient that pulls this all together, read more on using mayo in cake below.

The Secret Ingredient

The secret to the insanely delicious, ultra-moist cake, come to find out, is mayonnaise. Before you get all grossed out at the thought of mayo in a cake, did you realize that mayonnaise is simply oil and egg yolks whipped together, ingredients you’d find in baked goods already? It also helps to create a tender crumb and enhances the chocolate flavor. The oil and eggs in the mayonnaise contribute to the cake’s texture, resulting in a moist and decadent dessert.

How to Make Portillo’s Chocolate Cake

This chocolate cake recipe comes together with simple ingredients but results in a cake that is moist, chocolatey, and quite perfect. For the full recipe including all measurements, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

1. Make the batter. Combine the cake mix, eggs, water, and mayo in your mixer. Mix on low speed for 30 seconds, then mix on high for about 4 minutes.
2. Divide the batter into two greased 9-inch cake pans.
3. Bake the cakes. Bake for 30-32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.
4. Allow the cakes to cool. Transfer the baked cakes out of the pans and onto wire cooling racks to cool for about an hour.
5. Assemble and frost. Place one of the cakes on a plate and spread about 3/4 of one jar of frosting on the top of the cake. Place the second cake on top and use the remaining frosting (1 1/4 jars) to coat the top of the cake and the sides. Enjoy!

Chocolate Frosting

After being blown away by the fact that one of the best-tasting chocolate cakes out there starts with a box of Betty Crocker cake mix, I was further blown away when I read that the frosting was simply Betty Crocker Chocolate Frosting…. from a CAN!!! You could say I was a little skeptical when I started baking this cake, but all of my doubts were washed away when I tried the first bite. Just as good as Portillo’s!

Storing Cake

This layered chocolate cake can be stored, covered, on the counter or in the refrigerator for up to three days. Since there is no buttercream or cream cheese in the frosting, the counter is just fine.

Other Chocolate Cake Recipes

• Double Chocolate Pudding Cake
• The Best Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Mousse Filling
• No Bake Chocolate Cake Batter Truffles

If you try this copycat chocolate cake recipe or any of my other recipes, I’d love to know! Let me know how you enjoyed it. It makes my day hearing from you!