Desserts Recipes The 50 Best Cake Recipes

Chocolate Cake Recipe

Chocolate Cake Recipe

This Chocolate Cake is moist, chocolaty, and a crowd-pleaser that anyone can make. With this easy recipe, you will be able to give in to your sweet tooth in no time!

If you are craving sweets like me, try our other dessert recipes like the Blueberry Crisp, Ambrosia Salad, and Keto Brownies!

The Best Chocolate Cake Recipe

Chocolate Cakes are a common showstopper at any party. At home, we don’t even have to celebrate an occasion just to enjoy this luscious treat! And now, we will share with you how we can prepare this ultimate chocolate lovers’ dream right at the comfort of your home.

And yes, it is not so difficult to make. It may seem daunting at first seeing how beautiful they are so often decorated. But with this easy recipe, we will guide you on how you can make your own version of this amazing cake. It is very flavorful, moist, with perfect crumbs. 

What is a chocolate cake?

Basically, it is made with cocoa or chocolate in various forms as the main flavor it. In this recipe, we will be utilizing this ingredient in the frosting, ganache, and layers.

What is a layered cake?

It is made of several sheets of cake placed on top of each other, held by a layer of frosting in between. It is an easy technique and a great way to arrange this dessert together.

How do you make a chocolate cake?

  1. Make the layers – Mix together the cake mix, eggs, oil, and water using an electric mixer (preferably a standing one). Transfer the mixture to a springform pan lined with parchment paper and sprayed with cooking spray. Make two sets and bake in the preheated oven at 350 degrees F. Then, bake until done for about 35 to 45 minutes. After cooking, let it rest for a while in a wire rack and then, divide the layers further into two even layers by using the cake slicer.
  2. Prepare the frosting – Grate any chocolate bar of your choice and this is what we will add to the frosting. Using the mixer, combine evenly the cream cheese and sugar. Next, add in the powdered sugar slowly and beat until you get a smooth mixture. Then, incorporate the other ingredients such as the pecans, cool whip, and the grated chocolate.
  3. Cook the ganache – Heat up heavy whipping cream in a saucepan then, pour this on a bowl of chocolate chips. Mix them together and transfer them into a squeeze bottle to be used for later.
  4. Make the chocolate frosting – Beat together the ingredients until smooth. Then, put the resulting frosting in a piping bag.
  5. Assemble the cake – Stack the layers on top of each other while placing about two cups of the frosting in between. Once all four layers have been stacked, spread the remaining frosting on top. Then, drizzle with the ganache on the top and let it drop on the sides. Allow it to rest and pipe dollops of chocolate frosting on top, too.

Can I make the chocolate cake dairy-free?

Absolutely! To make it dairy-free, simply add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar to almond or soy milk. Then, let it stand for about 5 minutes and use it in place of the buttermilk. Also, use dairy-free frosting when assembling it.

What makes cake moist and fluffy?

To make it moist, one definite answer is to avoid overbaking which dries out the layers. Generally, for similar recipes, you can use buttermilk instead of milk, oil instead of butter, and butter instead of margarine even if the recipe tells you otherwise.

To make them fluffy, beat the butter and sugar very well, incorporating enough air before putting in the other ingredients.

WHAT IS BUTTERMILK? IS THERE A SUBSTITUTE FOR BUTTERMILK?

Buttermilk is basically the leftover liquid after churning butter out of cultured cream. Nowadays, buttermilk is mainly cultured. 

Luckily, there are a few substitutes for buttermilk in cooking. For example, you can substitute one cup of it with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice plus enough milk to measure 1 cup. Then, simply stir together, and let it stand for about 5 minutes.

In addition, you could use 1 cup of plain yogurt.

Can you make a chocolate cake in advance?

Yes! You can make the layers and the frosting separately and store them separately, too. The cake lasts for up to a month in the fridge. Just make sure to wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and then, put it in freezer bags.

The frosting, on the other hand, can be stored in airtight containers in the fridge for up to two weeks.

More homemade cake recipes:

Carrot Cake Poke Cake

Pineapple Cake

Strawberry Poke Cake

Oreo Nutella Cake

Recipe Tips

  • You can follow this recipe and turn it into cupcakes! Simply fill half of the liners with the batter and bake. Decorate with the same ganache and chocolate frosting.
  • Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick before 35 minutes. To prevent overbaking, you can take the cake out of the oven when there are still a few crumbs left on the toothpick. During the resting period, the residual heat will continue to cook it anyway.
  • All ingredients must be at room temperature for the batter to be incorporated well. Yes, this tip pertains to eggs as well. If you have eggs stored in the fridge, you can increase the temperature to room temperature by soaking them in hot water for a few minutes.
  • To make it gluten-free, use a gluten-free flour blend instead of the regular all-purpose flour.
  • Also, we like using Hershey’s Unsweetened Cocoa Powder as is affordable and has a pretty nice dark color, and good quality. 
  • If you do not want to make this into a layered cake, you could also make it in a 9 by 13 pan.

Chocolate Cake Recipe

  • Prep Time1H
  • Cook Time30 MIN
  • Servings 14 servings

Ingredients

Cake Layers:

  • 2 boxes Chocolate Cake Mix
  • 2 3.4 oz instant chocolate pudding mix
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 cup canola oil
  • 2 1/2 cups water

Frosting:

  • 16 oz cream cheese softened to room temperature
  • 24 oz cool whip
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups pecans finely chopped in a food processor
  • 2 3.4 oz chocolate bars finely chopped or grated

Chocolate Ganache:

  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Dark Chocolate Frosting:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup dark cocoa powder
  • 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 5 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
  • 2 tablespoons chocolate sprinkles

Instructions

Cake Layers:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Line four 9 inches cake pans with parchment paper and spray with Pam baking spray. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, combine cake mix, chocolate pudding, eggs, canola oil, and water, using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat until well combined.
  • Divide batter between the four pans and bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Once baked, allow the cakes to cool completely on a wire rack.

Frosting:

  • Grate the chocolate bars and set aside.
  • Using a standing mixer, beat the cream cheese and2 cups of powdered sugar for 5-10 minutes until combined. Gradually beat in the remaining powdered sugar until smooth and combined.
  • Fold in the cool whip, pecan chips, vanilla extract and grated chocolate, stir until well combined.

Frost the Cake:

  • Place one of the cake layers onto a cake board. If needed cut the cake dome with a serrated knife or cake leveler.
  • Add two cups of frosting onto the top of the cake, spread it evenly with a spatula and smooth the top.
  • Place the second layer onto the top of the first, add two cups of frosting onto the top of the cake, spread it evenly with a spatula and smooth the top.
  • Repeat with cake layer number 3 and number 4.
  • Once the layers are stacked and frosted, frost the cake with the remaining frosting.

Chocolate Ganache:

  • Add chocolate chips to a medium, heatproof bowl.
  • Place a small saucepan over medium heat, add heavy whipping cream and heat until slightly simmering.
  • Pour the hot whipping cream over the chocolate chips, let stand for 1 minute, after which whisk it until smooth. Let it stand for 5-10 minutes, so it's not hot when used on the cake.
  • Drizzle ganache on top and around the top edge of the cake so it drips down.
  • Refrigerate the cake so the ganache cools off.

Dark Chocolate Frosting:

  • Using a standing mixer, beat together the butter, cocoa, powdered sugar, vanilla, and heavy whipping cream until smooth and thick.
  • If the frosting is too thick, add a few tablespoons of heavy whipping cream to thin it out.
  • Scoop frosting into a piping bag fixed with the start tip.
  • Pipe dollops of frosting, symmetrically around the top of the cake.
  • Sprinkle chocolate sprinkles onto the dollops of frosting.
  • Refrigerate the cake for 6-8 hours or overnight, before serving.
  • Slice, serve and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

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Comments

(21)
Marysa

Marysa

I am ashamed to say I haven't made my own chocolate cake from scratch. This would be a nice recipe to make with the kids. I love a good chocolate cake.

Lisa Marie Heath

Lisa Marie Heath

Holy WOW that looks delicious! If I made that, I don't know that I would share with anyone haha. Definitely saving this recipe

Melissa

Melissa

Oh my goodness! You had me at ganache! Seriously this looks like the most delicious chocolate cake I have ever seen!

Cindi Babb

Cindi Babb

Is it vanilla pudding or chocolate? The ingredients say chocolate pudding and the directions save vanilla.


Catalina Castravet

Catalina Castravet

it's chocolate [udding, sorry for that, I have updated the recipe.

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