ColaCao Sponge Cake Recipe: Easy Spanish Cocoa Cake 2026

This ColaCao sponge cake is a twist on the classic Spanish yogurt cake, made with the handy 1-2-3 rule and a generous dose of the iconic cocoa powder that tastes like childhood. The result is a tender, deeply chocolatey cake that comes together in one bowl with just a whisk.

Instead of the usual three measures of flour, this version uses two measures of flour plus one of ColaCao, which keeps the crumb moist and full of flavor. It bakes in a loaf pan or a 20 cm round tin and is perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or as the base for a filled layer cake.

Everything is measured with a plain yogurt cup, so you barely need a scale. Serve it with a cold glass of milk and you have the ultimate Spanish merienda.

Ingredients for ColaCao Sponge Cake

Makes 12 slices

• 3 medium eggs
• 2 yogurt cups of sugar (250 g)
• 1 yogurt cup of olive oil (145 ml)
• 1 plain yogurt (125 g)
• 2 yogurt cups of all-purpose flour (160 g)
• 1 yogurt cup of ColaCao (100 g)
• 8 g baking powder

How to Make ColaCao Sponge Cake Step by Step

1. Beat the eggs with the sugar

Preheat the oven to 180 °C. Beat 3 medium eggs with 250 g of sugar (2 yogurt cups) for 3 minutes, until the mixture turns pale and creamy.

2. Pour in the oil

Slowly pour in 145 ml of oil (1 yogurt cup) and beat until fully incorporated.

3. Add the yogurt

Add the plain yogurt and mix until smooth and well combined.

4. Fold in the flour, ColaCao and baking powder

Add 160 g of all-purpose flour (2 yogurt cups) mixed with 100 g of ColaCao (1 yogurt cup) and 8 g of baking powder. Beat just until combined, without overmixing, so the cake stays fluffy.

5. Pour the batter into the pan

Pour the batter into a pan lined with parchment paper. The pan used here measures 24 x 12 cm, but a 20 cm round pan works with the same amounts.

6. Bake the cake

Bake at 180 °C for 50–60 minutes with top and bottom heat, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes on a wire rack without unmolding.

7. Cool and serve

Unmold the cake and let it cool completely on the wire rack before slicing and serving.

Tips for the Best ColaCao Sponge Cake

Use the yogurt cup as your measure

Fill the empty yogurt cup to the very brim with each ingredient for accurate proportions. If you don't have a cup handy, use the gram and milliliter equivalents listed in the ingredients.

Don't overmix the batter

Fold the dry ingredients in just until no streaks of flour remain. Overbeating develops gluten and makes the cake dense instead of light and spongy.

Watch the baking time for other pans

A 24 x 12 cm loaf pan or a 20 cm round pan both work. If you use a different size, adjust the baking time and start checking for doneness a few minutes earlier.

30 Go-To Recipes I Keep Coming Back to at Home

If you're anything like me, your kitchen rotation probably includes a little bit of everything—cozy comfort classics, tried-and-true dishes from around the globe, and sweets that make everyone happy.

When a rich, indulgent treat is calling my name, I'll reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this sophisticated Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when I want something fruity and cozy, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my reliable pick.

Come breakfast time or when I'm after a lighter bite, I'll whip up these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple I can keep on hand, this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the trick.

For tapas nights and Mediterranean-inspired spreads, I'll bounce between this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, golden Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, velvety Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. And when the occasion calls for something a touch fancier, this elegant Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is a favorite of mine to serve.

Hearty midday meals and slow, cozy suppers are where these shine: the warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and silky Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. Craving something even more substantial? I'll bake up this hearty Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultimate comfort plate, this French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

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And when I'm mixing drinks and planning a whole spread for company, dinner often gets paired with a cool Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a strong Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To tie the whole meal together, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side, or finishing the table with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of cooking, testing, and tweaking in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the finest dishes are built on three things: simplicity, dependable technique, and serious flavor.

These are the recipes I find myself making over and over—whether it's a fast solo meal or a festive spread for loved ones.

On the sweet side, the rich, velvety Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something that feels fancy yet comes together easily. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled after the beloved Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture really helps, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

For something light and effortless, I'll typically make the traditional Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. When I want a heartier comfort dish, I'm quick to suggest the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight winner, this One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm also a big fan of sharing dishes rooted in tradition from all over the world, like the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crisp Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and Spain's classic Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another category I turn to often, since it delivers great texture without eating up time. My regular lineup includes the Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be indulgent, cheesy, and completely satisfying without any gluten.

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