Magical Midnight Tuxedo Cake Recipe for Sweet Dreamers

Decadent chocolate layers whisper sweet promises of a tuxedo cake that’ll steal the show at any celebration.

Rich, velvety dark chocolate mingles with smooth cream cheese frosting in this show-stopping dessert.

Elegant and dramatic, this cake brings sophistication to your dessert table with stunning visual appeal.

Each slice promises a perfect balance of moist chocolate cake and creamy white frosting that melts in your mouth.

Alternating dark and white layers create a mesmerizing pattern reminiscent of a classic tuxedo crisp design.

The contrasting colors and textures make this cake more than just a dessert—it’s an edible work of art.

Dive into this luxurious recipe and transform an ordinary moment into an extraordinary experience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 1 hour

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 5 hours 35 minutes (includes chilling)

Calories: 515 kcal

Servings: 13

Tuxedo Cake Ingredient List

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy structure and tender crumb for the chocolate cake.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create soft, moist texture.
• Cocoa Powder: Delivers deep, rich chocolate flavor and dark color.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Ensure perfect rise and light, airy cake texture.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor complexity.

• Eggs: Bind ingredients and create smooth, consistent cake texture.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps develop tender crumb.
• Sour Cream: Introduces tangy richness and keeps cake incredibly moist.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures soft, tender cake with extended freshness.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, aromatic undertone to chocolate base.
• Espresso Powder: Intensifies chocolate flavor without adding coffee taste.

• Dark Chocolate: Creates luxurious, intense chocolate layer with deep flavor.
• White Chocolate: Provides creamy, sweet contrasting mousse layer.
• Heavy Cream: Creates light, airy texture for mousses and ganache.
• Egg Yolks: Contribute silky, rich texture to chocolate mousses.
• Milk Chocolate: Delivers smooth, creamy ganache topping.

Tools for Layering Tuxedo Cake

• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Essential for whipping cream and mixing batters smoothly.
• 8-inch Cake Pans: Two pans needed for creating cake layers.
• Cake Ring: Perfect for creating precise layered cake structure.
• Sifter: Crucial for combining dry ingredients without lumps.
• Whisk: Necessary for beating egg yolks and incorporating ingredients.
• Spatula: Helps fold cream and mix batters gently.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Needed for separating wet and dry ingredients.
• Saucepan: Used for heating cream and creating custard base.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.
• Skewer or Toothpick: Checks cake doneness.
• Cooling Rack: Allows cake layers to cool evenly.

How to Make Tuxedo Cake at Home

• Chocolate Cake Foundation

Craft a rich, velvety cake base that transforms ordinary baking into a delightful adventure. Select premium cocoa and quality ingredients to ensure a moist, decadent result that melts in your mouth.

• Mousse Magic

Create luxurious chocolate layers that dance between dark and white chocolate, transforming the cake into a dreamy dessert experience. Whip cream to silky perfection and fold gently into chocolate mixtures.

• Elegant Assembly

Layer the cake with precision, allowing each chocolate mousse to settle and create stunning visual and taste contrasts. Chill carefully to lock in the incredible flavors and textures.

• Ganache Glamour

Craft a glossy chocolate topping that adds a professional touch and irresistible shine. Pour carefully to create a smooth, tempting exterior that beckons dessert lovers.

• Final Flourish

Release the cake from its ring and present a showstopping dessert that promises to be the star of any gathering. Decorate with artistic flair, letting your creativity shine through delicate chocolate swirls or elegant garnishes.

Flavor Ideas for Tuxedo Cake Filling

• Switch chocolate types between dark, milk, or semi-sweet varieties to personalize the cake's richness and depth of flavor.
• Prepare cake layers and mousses up to two days in advance, storing separately in airtight containers to streamline assembly and reduce day-of stress.
• Allow cake layers and mousses to reach room temperature before layering to ensure smooth, seamless integration and prevent structural cracking.
• Embellish the cake with chocolate shavings, fresh berries, edible gold leaf, or elegant piped chocolate designs to transform its visual appeal and impress guests.

Serving a Stylish Tuxedo Cake

• Elegant Dessert Centerpiece: Place the tuxedo cake on a sleek black or white cake stand to highlight its dramatic dark and white layers, creating a stunning visual centerpiece for dinner parties or special celebrations.
• Complementary Beverage Pairing: Serve alongside a rich espresso or a smooth aged port wine, which will enhance the chocolate's deep flavors and provide a sophisticated tasting experience for guests.
• Garnish Glamour: Top the cake with delicate chocolate shavings, fresh raspberries, or edible silver pearls to add a touch of luxurious presentation and provide contrasting textures and colors against the smooth ganache surface.
• Portion Perfect Presentation: Cut precise, clean slices using a heated knife to ensure each serving showcases the beautiful layers of dark and white chocolate mousse, making every piece look as elegant as the whole cake.

Tuxedo Cake Storage Instructions

• Refrigeration Strategy: Store this decadent tuxedo cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep the cake covered to maintain its moisture and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cake layers and mousses one day in advance to reduce day-of stress. The flavors will actually intensify, creating a more complex taste profile when chilled overnight.
• Freezing Finesse: Wrap individual cake slices in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil for freezer storage. Frozen slices can be safely kept for 2-3 weeks. Thaw in the refrigerator for 4-6 hours before serving to maintain texture and taste.
• Room Temperature Tips: Remove the cake from the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving to allow chocolates and mousses to soften slightly. This helps enhance the cake's rich, creamy texture and brings out the deep chocolate flavors.

Elegant Tuxedo Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 5 hours 35 minutes (includes chilling)
• Yield: 13 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Elegant chocolate layers of tuxedo cake showcase a sophisticated dessert perfect for special occasions. Rich ganache and creamy frosting create a striking black-and-white presentation that delights guests with its classic charm.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3.5 oz (100g) dark chocolate
• 3.5 oz (100g) white chocolate
• 4.3 oz (120g) milk chocolate
• 2 cups (240g / 8.5 oz) all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (400g / 14.1 oz) sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 4 egg yolks
• 1 cup (240ml / 8 fl oz) hot water
• ½ cup (120ml / 4 fl oz) milk
• ½ cup (128g / 4.5 oz) sour cream
• ½ cup (110g / 3.9 oz) vegetable oil
• 2 cups (480ml / 16 fl oz) heavy cream
• ½ cup (120ml / 4 fl oz) heavy cream
• ½ cup (50g / 1.8 oz) cocoa powder
• 1 ½ tsps baking powder
• 1 ½ tsps baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp espresso powder
• 2 tsps vanilla extract

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preparation: Organize all baking tools and ingredients for efficient cake preparation.
2. Preheat and Prepare: Set oven to 350°F and grease cake pans with precision.
3. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Combine cocoa, flour, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution.
4. Wet Ingredient Harmony: Blend eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla in a separate container, creating a smooth liquid base.
5. Batter Construction: Merge dry and wet ingredients, incorporating dissolved espresso powder, mixing until silky and lump-free.
6. Pan Deployment: Divide batter evenly between prepared pans, smoothing surfaces with a spatula.
7. Baking Transformation: Bake for 35 minutes, testing with a cake tester for perfect doneness.
8. Cooling Interlude: Rest cake layers on a wire rack until completely cooled.
9. Mousse Foundation: Create custard base by tempering egg yolks with heated vanilla cream, cooking until thickened.
10. Chocolate Layering: Melt dark and white chocolate separately, folding in whipped cream to create light, airy mousses.
11. Cake Assembly: Layer cake with alternating dark and white chocolate mousses in a cake ring, chilling between layers.
12. Final Chill: Refrigerate assembled cake for 4 hours to set completely.
13. Ganache Finale: Heat cream and pour over milk chocolate, stirring to create a glossy coating.
14. Presentation: Remove cake from ring, generously coat with ganache, and add optional decorative elements.

Notes

• Precise Workspace Preparation: Set up all baking tools and ingredients before starting to ensure smooth recipe execution.
• Temperature Control Matters: Maintain exact 350°F oven temperature for consistent cake texture and even baking results.
• Mixing Technique is Critical: Gradually blend dry and wet ingredients to prevent lumps and achieve a silky-smooth batter consistency.
• Chocolate Melting Precision: Use gentle heat and continuous stirring when melting chocolate to prevent seizing and ensure a glossy finish.

• Prep Time: 1 hour
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 515
• Sugar: 40g
• Sodium: 250mg
• Fat: 27g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 62g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 90mg