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Ultimate Chocolate Dream

Featured in Irresistible Sweet Treats.

Create the ultimate chocolate lover's cake with three layers of dark chocolate cake brushed with chocolate syrup, covered in chocolate buttercream and chocolate chips.

Clare Greco
Updated on Mon, 20 Jan 2025 16:11:15 GMT
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A slice of rich chocolate cake layered with chocolate frosting, served on a white plate with a fork. Pin it
A slice of rich chocolate cake layered with chocolate frosting, served on a white plate with a fork. | recipesbyclare.com

This death by chocolate cake started as my ultimate craving creation. Each bite brings layers of deep chocolate flavors from the moist cake to rich buttercream to tiny chocolate chips. After perfecting this recipe in my kitchen it's become my most requested celebration cake.

Pure Chocolate Heaven

The magic happens when that chocolate simple syrup soaks into the layers keeping everything perfectly moist. That dark chocolate buttercream melts in your mouth while mini chips add lovely texture. This cake makes chocolate lovers weak in the knees.

For The Cake

  • Fresh flour measured with care
  • Dark cocoa powder splurge on the good stuff
  • Pure cane sugar balances the chocolate
  • Full fat sour cream keeps it moist
  • Light vegetable oil for tenderness
  • Farm fresh eggs room temperature
  • Mini chocolate chips throughout

For The Frosting

  • Sweet cream butter softened naturally
  • Powdered sugar sifted twice
  • More dark cocoa powder
  • Fresh heavy cream
  • Good dark chocolate melted cooled

Let's Create Magic

Start with Syrup
Mix sugar water cocoa heat until sugar melts cool completely
Time to Bake
Combine wet dry ingredients add sour cream chips pour in pans bake until perfect
Whip up Frosting
Beat butter add sugar cocoa melted chocolate cream until silky
Build the Layers
Brush with syrup stack with frosting coat outside press chips all around
Final Touch
Pipe swirls on top chill before serving

Mix It Up

Try yogurt instead of sour cream works beautifully. Regular cocoa powder steps in for dark in a pinch. Going dairy free? Plant based butter milk create lovely results. Add chocolate curls ganache when you want extra fancy.

A slice of rich chocolate cake with layers of chocolate frosting sits on a white plate next to a fork. Pin it
A slice of rich chocolate cake with layers of chocolate frosting sits on a white plate next to a fork. | recipesbyclare.com

Plan Ahead

Layers freeze perfectly up to three months fridge works for a week. Make frosting early store airtight. Finished cake stays fresh couple days on counter week in fridge. Wrap cut edges keeps everything moist.

Sweet Success

Everything needs to warm up to room temp first. Measure carefully dense cake makes nobody happy. Give those pans a turn while baking. Cold layers stack frost so much better.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make this ahead?

Yes, components can be made ahead. Completed cake keeps 2 days room temp, 1 week refrigerated.

→ Why brush with simple syrup?

Keeps cake extra moist and adds more chocolate flavor.

→ Can I make different sizes?

Yes, works for various pan sizes. Recipe includes conversion details.

→ Why freeze layers while assembling?

Makes layers easier to stack and frost without crumbing.

→ Can I make cupcakes instead?

Yes, use specific cupcake recipe version for best results.

Death by Chocolate Cake

An intensely chocolatey layer cake featuring moist dark chocolate cake, rich chocolate buttercream, and mini chocolate chips. Perfect for chocolate lovers.

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
55 Minutes

Category: Sweet Treats

Difficulty: Difficult

Cuisine: American

Yield: 24 Servings (24)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1/2 cup water (120g).
02 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100g).
03 1 tbsp dark cocoa powder (6g).
04 2 cups all-purpose flour (260g).
05 2 cups granulated sugar (400g).
06 3/4 cup dark cocoa powder (75g).
07 2 tsp baking powder (8g).
08 1 1/2 tsp baking soda (9g).
09 1 tsp fine salt (6g).
10 1 cup warm water (240g).
11 1 cup sour cream, room temp (255g).
12 1/2 cup vegetable oil (110g).
13 2 large eggs, room temp (112g).
14 2 tsp vanilla extract (8g).
15 1 tsp instant espresso (optional).
16 2 cups unsalted butter, room temp (434g).
17 1 cup dark cocoa powder (100g).
18 1 tsp vanilla extract (4g).
19 1/2 tsp fine salt (3g).
20 5 cups powdered sugar (625g).
21 3/4 cup heavy cream (180g).
22 1 1/3 cups melted dark chocolate chips (230g).
23 2 cups mini chocolate chips (360g).

Instructions

Step 01

Boil water and sugar, whisk in cocoa powder.

Step 02

Cool to room temperature.

Step 03

Heat oven to 350°F. Prepare three 8-inch pans.

Step 04

Whisk dry ingredients.

Step 05

Mix wet ingredients separately.

Step 06

Combine wet and dry just until mixed.

Step 07

Divide between pans, bake 23-26 minutes.

Step 08

Cool 15 minutes, then level layers.

Step 09

Beat butter until smooth. Add cocoa, vanilla, salt. Gradually add sugar and cream. Mix in melted chocolate.

Step 10

Brush layers with syrup.

Step 11

Stack with buttercream between.

Step 12

Cover cake in buttercream. Press chips around sides. Pipe decorations on top.

Notes

  1. Components can be made ahead.
  2. Use room temperature ingredients.
  3. Freezing layers helps assembly.
  4. Makes enough for 24 servings.

Tools You'll Need

  • 8-inch cake pans.
  • Stand mixer.
  • Offset spatula.
  • Piping bags.
  • Cake board.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Eggs.
  • Dairy.
  • Wheat/Gluten.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 480
  • Total Fat: 20 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 75 g
  • Protein: 4 g