This Chocolate Chip Cake is a moist, tender yellow cake loaded with sweet milk chocolate chips and topped with a cinnamon-sugar crunch. Simple yet irresistible, it’s a crowd-pleaser perfect for breakfast, brunch, dessert, or an anytime treat. With sour cream for extra moisture and a generous sprinkling of chocolate chips throughout, this cake is comfort baking at its finest.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients:

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour

• 2 tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp kosher salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• ½ cup brown sugar

• 3 large eggs

• 1½ cups sour cream

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Topping:

• 3 tbsp sugar

• 1½ tsp cinnamon

• 11.5 oz milk chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with baking spray.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

3. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar with a mixer until smooth (about 3 minutes).

4. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Beat in the sour cream and vanilla until combined.

5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.

6. Pour half the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.

7. In a small bowl, mix the sugar and cinnamon for the topping. Sprinkle half of this mixture and half of the chocolate chips over the batter.

8. Spread the remaining batter on top, followed by the rest of the cinnamon-sugar and chocolate chips.

9. Bake for 40–45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow to cool before serving.

Nutrients (Per serving – approx. 18 servings)

• Calories: 367 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 46g

• Protein: 4g

• Fat: 19g

• Saturated Fat: 12g

• Cholesterol: 67mg

• Sodium: 184mg

• Potassium: 67mg

• Fiber: 1g

• Sugar: 31g

• Vitamin A: 515 IU

• Calcium: 85mg

• Iron: 1mg

Soft, Moist, and Perfectly Tender

What sets this cake apart is its incredibly moist and tender texture. The inclusion of sour cream in the batter adds richness and ensures the cake stays soft for days without drying out. Each bite is melt-in-your-mouth soft, yet the cake has just enough structure to hold up the generous scattering of chocolate chips and the topping. The crumb is tight but not dense—light enough to feel airy, yet hearty enough to be deeply satisfying. It’s the kind of cake that feels both comforting and indulgent, perfect for slicing into thick squares and serving with a warm beverage.

A Yellow Cake Base That Delivers Flavor and Stability

The base of this cake is a buttery yellow cake, rich with eggs, sugar, and vanilla. It provides the ideal foundation for the add-ins and toppings without overwhelming them. The flavor of the cake itself is sweet and slightly nutty from the browned edges that develop while baking. The use of brown sugar along with granulated sugar deepens the flavor, adding subtle caramel notes that complement the chocolate and cinnamon-sugar beautifully. This combination results in a cake that’s far more flavorful than your average boxed mix version, making it feel homey yet elevated.

Milk Chocolate Chips for Sweetness in Every Bite

The stars of the show are the milk chocolate chips scattered throughout the batter. These chips melt slightly as the cake bakes, creating little pockets of creamy chocolate in every slice. Their sweetness balances the gentle tang of the sour cream and the spice of the cinnamon topping. Unlike semi-sweet or dark chocolate, milk chocolate keeps the overall flavor light and sweet, which makes the cake especially appealing for kids and anyone with a sweeter tooth. The even distribution ensures that each bite brings a satisfying mix of cake and chocolate—no dry or bland corners here.

A Cinnamon-Sugar Topping That Adds Texture and Warmth

Perhaps the most surprising—and delightful—element of this cake is the cinnamon-sugar topping. Sprinkled between the batter layers and again on top, it forms a light, crunchy crust as the cake bakes. This layer adds a contrasting texture to the soft interior and introduces warm, spicy notes that elevate the flavor profile. The classic pairing of cinnamon and sugar brings a comforting bakery feel to the dessert, almost reminiscent of a coffee cake but with a chocolatey twist. The golden top also gives the cake an appealing finish that looks as good as it tastes.

Perfect for Breakfast, Brunch, or Dessert

This cake’s versatility is one of its biggest strengths. Its flavor and texture make it suitable for more than just dessert—it fits seamlessly into a breakfast or brunch spread. Serve it with fresh fruit and coffee in the morning, enjoy it with tea in the afternoon, or top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an after-dinner treat. It’s not overly rich, so it won’t weigh you down, but it still feels special enough to be a highlight of any meal. That makes it an excellent go-to recipe for casual entertaining or potluck gatherings.

A Crowd-Pleaser That’s Easy to Make

Despite its impressive flavor and appearance, this cake is incredibly easy to prepare. It uses pantry staples and doesn’t require any complex baking techniques, which makes it accessible even to beginner bakers. The batter comes together quickly and bakes in a single 9×13-inch pan—no need for layering, frosting, or fancy equipment. The cinnamon-sugar and chocolate chips are simply sprinkled on, and there’s no need to wait for the cake to cool before enjoying. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll find yourself turning to again and again, especially when you need something dependable and delicious in a pinch.

Great for Make-Ahead and Storing

This cake stores beautifully, making it ideal for making ahead of time. Because of the sour cream and the generous amount of butter, the cake stays moist for several days when covered at room temperature. It also freezes well—just slice into squares, wrap individually, and store in a freezer-safe container for future snacking. You can easily warm up a slice in the microwave or toaster oven for that just-baked feel. This makes the cake a practical option for busy weeks, lunchboxes, or last-minute guests.

Simple Ingredients with Big Flavor Impact

While the ingredients in this recipe are everyday staples, their combination yields a cake that tastes like it came from a bakery. Butter adds richness and depth, sugar brings sweetness and structure, eggs provide lift and moisture, and sour cream enhances tenderness. The chocolate chips and cinnamon-sugar take it to the next level, turning a simple base into something truly special. The balance of flavors is spot-on—never too sweet, never too heavy—just a feel-good cake that delivers with every bite.

Family-Friendly and Always a Hit

Chocolate Chip Cake is one of those rare baked goods that appeals to just about everyone. Kids love the sweet, melty chocolate and soft texture, while adults appreciate the comforting, nostalgic flavor. It’s the kind of cake that feels familiar yet exciting, making it perfect for family events, school gatherings, or casual weekend baking. You don’t need a special occasion to enjoy it—though it will definitely make any day feel a little more special.

Conclusion

Chocolate Chip Cake is everything a great cake should be—soft, moist, flavorful, and irresistibly comforting. With its classic yellow cake base, gooey milk chocolate chips, and spiced cinnamon-sugar topping, it strikes the perfect balance between simple and indulgent. This is the kind of recipe that brings people together, whether it’s shared over coffee, packed into a lunchbox, or served as dessert at a family gathering. Easy to make and even easier to love, this cake deserves a spot in every home baker’s collection. One slice is never enough—and once you try it, you’ll understand why it’s a true crowd-pleaser.