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Chocolate cakes are a rich and tasty go-to. From classic to bundt, there is something for everyone in this list of chocolate cake recipes!
More Collections: Easy Cake Recipes, Cakes With Fruit, Brownie Recipes
A Best-Loved Flavor!
I’m in the camp that prefers vanilla or white chocolate over regular and dark chocolate cake (I know, love me or hate me!). However, I have kiddos who always request a moist Chocolate Cake recipe as their flavor of choice for any birthday party, so I make them often.
Why we love it:
- Flavor. Any chocolate lover has a favorite cake recipe or several.
- Variety. Here are just a sampling of our best chocolate cake recipes that are sure to soothe any sweet tooth!
- Easy. Of course, our recipes are all achievable by novice and proficient bakers alike!
Top 10 Cake-Making Tips
- Follow the recipe. This may seem like a given, but it is my number one tip. Sometimes an adjustment does not affect the result, oftentimes it does.
- Room temperature. Unless otherwise stated, use room-temperature butter, dairy, and eggs. They will incorporate better and create the ideal amount of air bubbles. These air bubbles expand as the cake bakes, causing it to be light and fluffy.
- Spoon and level your flour. Scooping packs the flour too tightly and may affect the overall recipe. Only use cake flour if the recipe specifically states to do so.
- Cocoa powder. If a recipe doesn’t specify a type, assume they are referring to natural unsweetened cocoa powder.
- Sour cream. Adding 1-2 tablespoons of sour cream or applesauce to the mix will help add moisture.
- Mixing. Mix the dry and wet ingredients until just combined. When using a stand mixer only set it to medium speed. Use a spatula to scrape the bottom of the bowl and fold the batter to be sure everything is properly combined.
- No peeking. It can be tempting to open the oven door to check the cake, but this can cause the cake to sink. Only peek when nearing the end of the suggested bake time.
- Shiny metal cake pans work best when baking cakes.
- Foil. If the outside of the cake is cooking faster than the inside, tent a piece of tin foil over the top to keep it from getting too crisp on the outside.
- Doneness. Insert a toothpick into the cake to determine if the cake is done. If it comes out clean or with only a couple of crumbles, the cake is done. If the top is cooking more quickly than the center, tent a piece of tin foil over the top.
Frosting Chocolate Cake
Chocolate frosting is of course a favorite, but you really can’t go wrong with the way you frost your cake. Decide on the desired taste, texture, and look then apply a few tips and tricks to create a masterpiece.
- Kinds of frosting. There are many different kinds of frostings to choose from: buttercream, royal icing, ganache, icing, or even a simple Whipped Cream.
- Flavors. Many flavors pair well with chocolate. Create a rich chocolate cake with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting or chocolate ganache. Try a sweet Vanilla Frosting or Caramel Frosting. Bright flavors like lemon, orange, and Berry or a tangy cream cheese frosting are a perfect contrast that works great.
- Crumb coating. When frosting your cake, add a thin layer to the top and sides of the cake to coat the crumbs. This is called a crumb coating. Let it set and then add a thicker layer of frosting without the crumbs getting caught up in it.
- Filling. Buttercream and custard are both great choices to spread between cake layers. Spread it in an even layer and leave about ¼-inch from the edge so there is room for it to spread when the next layer is added.
- Cool. Cool the cake completely before frosting it or the frosting will melt into and right off the cake.
- Freeze. Bake a cake 2-3 weeks ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the freezer until you are ready to frost it. Allow the cake to cool and wrap each layer with plastic wrap and again with foil.
Enhance the Chocolate Flavor
Dust the pan with cocoa. If the recipe instructs greasing and then dusting the pan with flour, use cocoa powder instead. It keeps the cake from sticking to the pan, gives extra chocolate flavor, and blends into the rich brown color.
Make it rich. If your cake is missing that rich chocolate flavor, try using better-quality ingredients:
- natural cocoa powder or dutch-process cocoa powder
- REAL vanilla extract
- buttermilk in place of regular milk
- butter in place of vegetable oil
- an extra pinch of salt goes a long way
Best Chocolate Cake Recipes
These delicious chocolate cakes are perfect for any occasion. They are a chocolate-lovers dream! You’ll have a hard time choosing a best chocolate cake recipe!
1 Easy Chocolate Cake Recipe
2 Chocolate Sheet Cake Recipe
3 Better Than Anything Cake Recipe
4 German Chocolate Cake Recipe
5 Mississippi Mud Cake Recipe
6 Flourless Chocolate Cake recipe
7 Sour Cream Chocolate Cake Recipe
8 Chocolate Cheesecake
9 Chocolate Bundt Cake Recipe
10 Cookie Cake Recipe
Easy Chocolate Cake recipes
Keep it simple, but don’t skimp on flavor with any of these easy recipes that are packed with chocolate goodness!
11 Sheet Cake Bites Recipe
12 Flourless Chocolate Cake recipe
13 Mug Cake Recipe
14 Root Beer Float Ice Cream Cake Recipe
15 Zucchini Chocolate Cake Recipe
16 Oreo Pudding Poke Cake Recipe
17 Chocolate Lava Cake Recipe
A Favorite Dessert
Whether you’re looking for the perfect dessert for a special occasion or to satisfy a chocolate craving you’re sure to find the perfect choice on this list!
Be sure to check out all of our Cake Recipes!
More Collections: Holiday Cakes, Dessert Bar Recipes, Cookie Bar Recipes
