Luscious Decadent Chocolate Layer Cake Recipe to Wow Guests

Chocolate lovers unite over this irresistible chocolate layer cake that promises pure indulgence with every single bite.

Rich, velvety layers meld together in a symphony of deep cocoa flavors that dance across your palate.

The recipe blends classic baking techniques with luxurious ingredients for a dessert that feels both nostalgic and elegant.

Moist chocolate cake layers are generously slathered with silky smooth chocolate frosting, creating a decadent masterpiece.

Each slice reveals tender crumb and intense chocolate depth that will make dessert enthusiasts weak at the knees.

Crafted with precision and passion, this cake becomes the star of any gathering, from casual weekend treats to sophisticated celebrations.

You won’t be able to resist cutting into this showstopping chocolate sensation that promises pure bliss in every single forkful.

Instructions for Baking a Moist Chocolate Layer Cake

• Chocolate Lover's Dream Preparation

Gather all your baking essentials and get ready to create a spectacular dessert that will make taste buds dance with joy. Warm up your kitchen by setting the oven temperature and preparing cake pans with a light coating.

• Silky Chocolate Base

Melt chocolate and butter together in a gentle dance of sweetness, creating a smooth mixture that will become the heart of your cake. Stir in a hint of coffee to enhance the rich chocolate flavor.

• Mixing Magic

Combine dry ingredients in a spacious bowl, blending them until they form a perfect canvas for your chocolatey masterpiece. Introduce eggs and milk, whisking with care to create a velvety batter that promises incredible texture.

• Baking Transformation

Pour the luscious batter into waiting pans, then let the oven work its magic. Watch as the cake rises and fills your kitchen with an intoxicating aroma of chocolate delight.

• Frosting Fantasy

Create a glossy chocolate coating by gently melting cream and chocolate together. Allow the mixture to become smooth and irresistibly shiny, ready to embrace your cake layers.

• Cake Assembly

Carefully layer the cooled cake pieces, spreading the decadent frosting between and around each layer. Transform your creation into a stunning chocolate sensation that will make everyone swoon.

• Sweet Celebration

Slice into this heavenly cake and share the joy with friends and family. Each bite promises a moment of pure chocolate bliss that will create lasting memories.

Tips to Decorate & Flavor Chocolate Cake Differently

• Adjust the instant coffee quantity to match your preference – less for subtle notes or more for a pronounced mocha undertone that complements the chocolate flavor.
• Check cake doneness early and remove from oven immediately when the toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs to ensure a tender, soft texture that melts in your mouth.
• Whip the chocolate ganache briefly with an electric mixer after cooling to create a lighter, fluffier frosting that spreads more smoothly and adds an elegant airiness to the cake's appearance.
• Create dramatic chocolate curls using a vegetable peeler against a room-temperature chocolate bar, or dust the cake with cocoa powder for a professional bakery-style presentation that elevates the dessert's visual appeal.

Serving Ideas for This Multi-Layered Dessert

• Pair with Creamy Companions: Serve each slice alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream to enhance the chocolate's richness.
• Add Complementary Beverages: Offer a steaming mug of coffee, a glass of cold milk, or a smooth red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon to balance the cake's intense chocolate flavor.
• Create Elegant Presentation: Dust the plate with cocoa powder, drizzle caramel sauce around the cake slice, or sprinkle some toasted almond slivers for an extra touch of sophistication and texture.
• Design Decadent Dessert Moment: Serve on a beautiful cake stand, use elegant dessert plates, and provide small dessert forks to transform this cake into a memorable dining experience that feels special and indulgent.

Chocolate Cake Storage You Can Rely On

• Refrigerate Wisely: Store the chocolate layer cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap to prevent drying out and absorbing other food odors.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Wrap individual cake slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to maintain the cake's moisture and texture.
• Room Temperature Serving: Remove the cake from the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving to allow it to come to room temperature. This helps restore the frosting's creamy consistency and enhances the cake's rich chocolate flavor.
• Prevent Frosting Meltdown: Keep the cake away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Store in a cool, dry place to maintain the frosting's smooth appearance and prevent melting or running.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 582 kcal

Servings: 13

What You’ll Need for Decadent Chocolate Layer Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy structure and soft texture for the cake's foundation.
• Granulated Sugar: Delivers sweetness and helps create a tender crumb.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel undertones and moisture to the cake.
• Instant Coffee: Enhances chocolate's richness and intensifies flavor complexity.

• Unsalted Butter: Creates smooth, rich texture and adds luxurious mouthfeel.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients together and provides essential lift and structure.
• Whole Milk: Ensures tender, moist cake with creamy consistency.
• Baking Chocolate: Delivers intense, pure chocolate flavor and deep color.

• Heavy Cream: Creates silky, luxurious chocolate ganache with glossy finish.
• Chopped Chocolate: Provides rich, decadent base for smooth, velvety frosting.
• Brown Sugar: Contributes caramel undertones and depth to chocolate coating.

Tools to Bake a Perfect Chocolate Layer Cake

• Electric mixer: Essential for blending dry ingredients and creating smooth cake batter.
• Saucepan (small): Needed for melting chocolate, butter, and preparing frosting.
• 8-inch round cake pans (2): Critical for baking cake layers with perfect shape.
• Mixing bowls (large and small): Used for combining ingredients and preparing mixtures.
• Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing center for moist crumbs.
• Wire rack: Allows cakes to cool evenly and prevent soggy bottoms.
• Whisk or spatula: Useful for stirring chocolate and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements for best results.

Sinful Chocolate Layer Cake

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4.6 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

This rich chocolate layer cake showcases deep cocoa flavors with multiple tender chocolate cake layers and silky chocolate buttercream frosting. Dark chocolate ganache and chocolate shavings complete this indulgent dessert for serious chocolate enthusiasts.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1½ cups (180 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
• 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
• 1 cup (220 grams) brown sugar
• 1 cup (227 grams) butter
• 8 oz (226 grams) bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 8 oz (226 grams) bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 3 eggs, at room temperature
• 1½ cups (360 ml) heavy cream
• ¾ cup (75 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tbsps (30 grams) brown sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp instant coffee
• ½ cup (120 ml) water
• Chocolate curls

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and meticulously grease two 8-inch round cake pans with butter and flour.
2. Chocolate Base Creation: Melt unsalted butter and chocolate in a saucepan, incorporating dissolved instant coffee, stirring until achieving a silky smooth consistency.
3. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, and remaining dry ingredients using an electric mixer at low speed to ensure uniform distribution.
4. Liquid Integration: Blend eggs and whole milk into the dry mixture, beating at medium speed for 2 minutes until achieving a velvety, homogeneous batter.
5. Chocolate Incorporation: Gently fold the melted chocolate mixture into the batter, ensuring complete color and texture uniformity without visible streaks.
6. Baking Process: Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, verifying doneness with a clean toothpick test.
7. Cooling Stage: Rest cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely to room temperature.
8. Ganache Preparation: Simmer heavy cream and brown sugar, then pour over finely chopped chocolate, allowing 3-4 minutes of resting before creating a glossy ganache.
9. Final Assembly: Once cooled, layer cake with ganache between rounds and generously coat the entire cake, optional chocolate curl garnish recommended.
10. Serving: Present at room temperature, revealing the luxurious, moist chocolate layers of this indulgent dessert.

Notes

• Optimize Ingredient Temperature: Ensure eggs and milk are at room temperature for smoother batter integration and consistent texture.
• Master Chocolate Melting: Use low, gentle heat when melting chocolate and butter to prevent burning and maintain silky smoothness.
• Check Cake Doneness Carefully: Toothpick test is crucial; minimal crumbs indicate perfect moisture, while wet batter means more baking time is needed.
• Handle Cooling Technique: Allow cakes to rest in pans for exactly 10 minutes before transferring to wire rack, preventing potential structural damage and maintaining delicate cake structure.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 582
• Sugar: 54 g
• Sodium: 210 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 24 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 58 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 116 mg