Three layers of rich, dense chocolate cake all held together by thick layers of homemade chocolate frosting – Death by Chocolate Cake is the definition of sinful indulgence! Treat yourself to this chocolatey masterpiece today.
Table of Contents
Death by Chocolate Cake Recipe
You know when you have that real chocolate craving? The kind of craving where a chocolate chip cookie simply won’t do the trick? If you need something truly rich with decadent chocolate, this death by chocolate cake is calling your name!
Layered cakes are always one of my favorites to serve, as they’re always so pretty and picturesque. This layered chocolate cake is no different! I adore how gorgeous it is to slice into and serve, and it always garners a ton of compliments, especially from fellow chocolate fanatics.
Don’t let the layers scare you off, though. This death by chocolate cake is actually pretty easy to bake and assemble! Homemade cakes are my greatest weakness, as box mixes simply can’t quite master the same level of denseness and moistness of a good ol’ homemade chocolate cake. Oh, and as for the homemade frosting, you’ll find yourself licking the spoon!
Why You’ll Love this Double Chocolate Cake Recipe
- Richly chocolate. The amount of chocolate in this cake just may be the end of you… Hence the name! If you’re a chocolate lover, this cake recipe is sure to be your new favorite.
- Layered. Layered cakes aren’t just pretty, they’re also downright delicious! After all, who doesn’t love layers of perfectly baked chocolate cake and homemade frosting?
- Topping friendly. You can pipe extra frosting into little designs on the cake, add sprinkles, or even birthday candles! This chocolate cake is wonderfully customizable.
How to Make Death by Chocolate Cake from Scratch
Be sure to see the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions!
- Preheat the oven and grease cake pans.
- Combine the flour, sugars, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
- Whisk the eggs, milk, Greek yogurt, water, vanilla extract, and melted butter together.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredient mixtures.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Pour the batter into the three prepared cake pans.
- Bake, then cool.
- Make the frosting while the cakes are baking and cooling.
- First, cream the butter.
- Then, sift in the powdered sugar and cocoa powder.
- Add in the vanilla extract, salt, and heavy cream. Mix until stiff peaks form.
- Assemble the frosting and cake layers.
- Pipe designs on top as desired.
How long do the cake layers need to cool?
Let the cake layers cool for as long as they need to! If they’re still warm when you assemble the cake, the frosting will melt and the whole thing will pretty much fall apart.
My rule of thumb is to wait until the bottom of the cake pan is room temperature – that’s how you can tell they’re ready to be frosted.
How long will this double chocolate cake stay fresh?
In an airtight container at room temperature, this cake will stay deliciously fresh for about 3-4 days. If you plan on serving it at an event, I would recommend making it a day ahead of time.
It’s just as fresh and tasty the second day, and then you don’t have to worry about baking and assembling it right before a party.
How will I know the cake layers are fully cooked?
The toothpick test is tried and true! Just insert a toothpick into the center of each cake layer. If the toothpick comes out dry, the cake is cooked. If the toothpick is wet with batter, the layers will need a few more minutes to cook through.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- To create the perfect cake consistency, avoid over mixing the cake batter!
- The butter must be softened, not cold or melted, to make the perfect frosting.
- All chocolate chips are delicious! I like to use semi-sweet for this recipe, but dark or milk chocolate chips will get the job done as well.
More Cake Recipes We Love
Slice into an indulgent chocolate dream with this easy to make death by chocolate cake!
More Chocolate Recipes We Love
- Crockpot Chocolate Peanut Candy
- Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
- Chocolate Macarons
- Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread
If you make this recipe be sure to leave us a comment or rating. Enjoy!
Death by Chocolate Cake Recipe
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 1/2 cups cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 5 eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup melted unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup chocolate chips
For the Frosting:
- 2 cups unsalted butter softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Chocolate chips
- Chocolate sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease three 9-inch round cake pans.
- Add the flour, sugars, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to a large bowl and whisk until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, Greek yogurt, water, vanilla extract, and melted butter.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix with an electric mixer until just combined.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Pour the batter evenly among the 3 cake pans.
- Bake for 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Let the cake cool for at least 10 minutes.
- While the cake is baking and cooling, make the frosting. Start by creaming the butter until smooth with an electric mixer.
- Then, sift in the powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Mix with an electric mixer until well incorporated.
- Add in the vanilla extract, salt, and heavy cream and mix again until the frosting reaches a smooth and creamy consistency with stiff peaks.
- Transfer 1 cake layer to a cake stand and add a layer of frosting on top. Add on the 2nd cake layer, another layer of frosting, and the 3rd layer of cake.
- Then, frost the entire exterior of the cake.
- Pipe designs on the top of the cake if desired. Then, add chocolate chips and sprinkles to the top and sides of the cake.
This recipe sounds great. Will the chocolate chips in the cake batter melt? I don’t see them in the end product itself. Thank you.