This is the Dark Chocolate Cake of my DREAMS! Tender, moist homemade chocolate cake with the best smooth, rich, dark chocolate frosting.
I love any excuse to make a decadent cake. This dark chocolate cake recipe is one of my favorites but I also LOVE a decadent Carrot Cake, German Chocolate Cake, Coconut Cake with Pineapple Filling and Lemon Cake.
I go crazy for all things dark chocolate and there’s nothing more tempting to me than this Dark Chocolate Cake. Between the amazing, flavorful and tender homemade cake and the rich, smooth and fluffy dark chocolate frosting, there is SO much to love about this cake!
How to Make Dark Chocolate Cake:
1. Prep the cake pans: Grease three 9-inch cake pans. I like to cut a circle of parchment paper for the bottom of the pan to make sure it doesn’t stick. Set aside.
2. Make the chocolate cake:
- Combine dry ingredients: flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add wet ingredients: add milk, oil, eggs, and vanilla to flour mixture and mix until well combined. Slowly add boiling water to the cake batter and mix for about 1 minute. Pour cake batter evenly between the three cake pans.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow cakes to cool before frosting.
3. Make the dark chocolate frosting: Stir together the powdered sugar and cocoa powder. In a separate mixing bowl beat the butter then gradually add the sugar/cocoa mixture alternating with cream and vanilla, beating after each addition, until you reach your desired frosting consistency.
4. Assemble: Lay one layer of chocolate cake on a cake board or platter. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread a layer of dark chocolate frosting over the top of the cake. Add the second layer of cake and frost the top and sides of the cake. Optional: use a wilton decorating tip to add a decorative edge and lightly sprinkle chocolate sprinkles.
To adjust the number of cake layers:
You have the option of making this dark chocolate cake a 2 layer, 3 layer, or 4 layer cake. For a two layer cake, divide the frosting between two cake pans, instead of three, to make 2 thicker cake layers. For a 4 layer cake, bake to layers of cake, then torte each cake round in half, to create 4 layers. Be sure to spread a layer of dark chocolate frosting between each later.
Freezing Instructions:
This cake freezes well and in fact, I recommend freezing the baked cake rounds ahead of time. After allowing the cake to cool completely, wrap each cake round in plastic wrap and store in a freezer safe bag in the freezer for a couple days or up to three months. You can freeze the frosting as well. Remove the cake rounds from the freezer and frost immediately. Store in the refrigerator and remove to the counter about 30 minutes before eating.
You can also freeze the assembled and frosted cake. Cover it as well as you can (without smashing the frosting) with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 1 week and allow to thaw on the counter for about a 1.5 hours before serving.
Variations to Dark Chocolate Cake:
- Gluten-free dark chocolate cake: substitute gluten free flour at a 1:1 ratio.
- Dairy-free dark chocolate cake: substitute soy or almond milk for the regular milk in the recipe and for the heavy cream in the frosting. Substitute a dairy free butter in the frosting.
- Vegan chocolate cake: make dairy- free substitutes and substitute three flax eggs or ¾ cup plain yogurt for the eggs.
Consider trying these popular desserts:
- German Chocolate Cake
- Snickerdoodles Bars
- Mississippi Mud Brownies
- Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake
- Mrs. Fields Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Apple Crisp
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Recipe
Dark Chocolate Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
Cake:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup + 2 Tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder (I love to use the Hershey's Special dark, but regular works)
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 3/4 cup oil (vegetable or canola oil)
- 3 large eggs , room temperature
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups boiling water
Dark Chocolate Frosting:
- 5 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 1 /3 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
- 12 Tablespoons unsalted butter , softened to room temperature
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
For the cake:
- Preheat oven to 350º F. Grease three 9-inch cake pans (I also like to cut a circle of parchment paper for the bottom of the pan to make sure the cake doesn't stick). Set aside.
- In a large bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add milk, oil, eggs, and vanilla to flour mixture and mix until well combined.
- Slowly add boiling water to the cake batter, while stirring. Beat on high speed for about 1 minute. The batter will be very thin.
- Pour cake batter evenly between the three cake pans.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with few moist crumbs.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before inverting onto a cooling rack.
For the frosting:
- Stir together the powdered sugar and cocoa powder. In a separate mixing bowl beat the butter on medium speed until pale, about 2 minutes.
- Gradually add the sugar/cocoa mixture alternating with the cream and vanilla, beating after each addition, until you reach your desired frosting consistency.
- Beat on high speed for 3 minutes, until fluffy.
Assemble the cake:
- Lay one layer of chocolate cake on a cake board or platter. Use a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread a layer of dark chocolate frosting over the top of the cake. Add the second layer or cake and frost the top and sides of the cake.
- Optional- use a wilton decorating tip to add a decorative edge and add chocolate sprinkles.
Notes
- Gluten-free dark chocolate cake: substitute gluten free flour at a 1:1 ratio.
- Dairy-free dark chocolate cake: substitute soy or almond milk for the regular milk in the recipe and for the heavy cream in the frosting. Substitute a dairy free butter in the frosting.
- Vegan chocolate cake: make dairy- free substitutes and substitute three flax eggs or ¾ cup plain yogurt for the eggs.
Nutrition
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Have you tried this recipe?!
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I originally shared this recipe February 2017. Updated September 2020.
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I loved this recipe! Though I used hot coffee instead of boiling water, and it was Chefs 💋. Seriously though, it was moist, and super chocolaty, and yum. I used a ganache frosting though too. Rave reviews! Saving this one…thank you!
This has become a Christmas family tradition. I make every year. Even my neighbors have asked for the recipe.
So Rich light delicious!
Hi there! Instructions for making the day before a party. Should it be refrigerated or left at room temp?
I think cakes store best in the fridge, covered well.
THE BEST!!This is my hubbies birthday cake since you first played it! How would I do this for cupcakes? Thank you!
This makes great cupcakes!
Great recipe! I used hot coffee instead of water and found it to be delicious. Didn’t change anything else. My family loved the cake and I’ve already had a request put another.
This mile high cake is SO DELICIOUS. Moist, chocolaty and so irresistible. I made vanilla custard cream and placed a large dollop on top of each slice. It was to die for. Thanks so much for the recipe. It will be my go-to chocolate cake recipe.
The cake was heavenly, however, the frosting was or I should say should be changed. It calls for 5 1/2 cups of powdered sugar. Nope, not good at all, I had to add 1/2 of whole milk to thin it out some. I will only use 4 cups next time with the same amount of the other ingredients. It was a hit. My son loved his bday cake. Thank you. I am thinking that maybe it was a typo for the amount of powdered sugar.
Excellent but cake sunk in center. How can I prevent this?
This usually means you took it out of the oven too soon. Try letting it cook just a little bit longer next time 🙂
How would you recommend adjusting cooking time for cupcakes?
Probably about 18-20 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.
♥️The most delicious 😍cake ever..very easy and quick to prepare..everyone who ate it loved it ♥️as if it was a ready-made cake from the shop..thank you for sharing this unique recipe with us…go on.🥰