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Recipe Blog - Dark Chocolate Cake - Feature

Easy Deep Dark Chocolate Cake Recipe

By: Andrea Alden

My cousin recently wanted to do something special for his significant other and asked me to help him bake a cake. He loves learning how to cook new things, she loves chocolate, and I adore the both of them. Naturally, it was easy to come up with the perfect recipe. I pulled the ingredients and let him do the work. It turned out beautifully. That is to say, you too can make this Easy Deep Dark Chocolate Cake Recipe and impress your family and friends with a delicious cake. Just in time for National Dessert Day too!

Prep Time
90 min
Cook Time
40 min
Yield
6-8
Difficulty
Easy

Easy Deep Dark Chocolate Cake Recipe

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Ingredients

Method

Photos

Ingredients
  • 1 ¾ cup (254 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 ¾ cup (414 g) sugar
  • ¾ cup (95 g) Dutch-processed cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • 2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 cup (255 ml) buttermilk*
  • ½ cup (118 ml) canola oil
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 cup (255 ml) brewed coffee
  • 2 cans (680 g) whipped chocolate frosting
  • Parchment paper
  • Nonstick baking spray

Chocolate Ganache

  • 1 cup (255 ml) heavy cream
  • 1 1/3 cups (226 g) dark chocolate (or chocolate chips)
Method

*Buttermilk can be made by adding 1 tbsp. lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup milk
**Prep time includes decorating as well as chilling. 

  1. Prepare your cake tins by cutting a round of parchment paper that fits in the bottom, spraying with nonstick, putting down the parchment, and spraying again. 
  2. Place a baking stone onto the barbecue and preheat the grill to 325°F (163°C), initially, light the burners below the stone, but turn them off when you are ready to bake, turning up the two to either side of the stone slightly to maintain temperature. 
  3. Sift together the dry ingredients twice to ensure they are completely mixed. 
  4. In a separate bowl, combine the buttermilk, canola oil, eggs, and vanilla. If using a stand mixer, beat on low. 
  5. Spoon the dry ingredients into the mix, beating until just combined. Stream in the hot coffee. 
  6. Divide the batter evenly between your cake pans. It will fill four 6-inch, three 8-inch, two 9-inch or squares, or one 9x13. 
  7. Bake the cakes on the baking stone for 30 to 40 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out with minimal crumbs. Remove from the barbecue and cool before turning out. 
  8. Place the layers into the fridge or freezer for 20 to 30 minutes before decorating. 
  9. Prepare the ganache for decorating by heating the cream until steaming. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate. Let stand for a few minutes, then stir until smooth. 
  10. To decorate, ice between the layers and the top of the cake with the whipped icing, optionally adding additional chocolate or ganache between layers. Drizzle ganache over the top layer so that it runs down the sides. 
  11. Chill thoroughly before serving. 

This easy recipe for Deep Dark Chocolate Cake could possibly be the best chocolate cake recipe. Easily customize this cake by using your favorite icing flavors, adding fruit between the layers, or whatever else you can think of. How have you customized this barbecued cake recipe? How are you celebrating National Dessert Day? Share your BBQ dessert recipes, ideas, and photos on our social pages like Facebook and TikTok, using the hashtags #NapoleonEats and #NapoleonGrill.

Happy Grilling!

Recipe Blog - Dark Chocolate Cake - Ingredients

Assemble the ingredients

Recipe Blog - Dark Chocolate Cake - batter1

Beat all of the wet, except for the coffee, then mix in the sifted-together dry, finally beating in the coffee

Recipe Blog - Dark Chocolate Cake - batter2

Divide the batter evenly between prepared cake pans

Recipe Blog - Dark Chocolate Cake - bake1

Place the cake upon the preheated baking stone

Recipe Blog - Dark Chocolate Cake - bake2

Bake 40 min or until few crumbs come free when tested

Recipe Blog - Dark Chocolate Cake - decorate

Fully chill before decorating

Recipe Blog - Dark Chocolate Cake - serve1

Decorate with chocolate ganache, icing, and your favorite accessories

Recipe Blog - Dark Chocolate Cake - serve2

Adding coffee and a pinch of salt brings out the depth of the chocolate

Recipe Blog - Dark Chocolate Cake - serve3

Slice and serve

AndreaAlden
Andrea Alden

I used to be the Sultana of Sizzle, but you can call me Andrea. I have always been passionate about food. Even though I was majoring in Art and Graphic Design, I would frequently be found cooking for my friends and family.

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Recipe Blog - Dark Chocolate Cake - Ingredients

Assemble the ingredients

Recipe Blog - Dark Chocolate Cake - batter1

Beat all of the wet, except for the coffee, then mix in the sifted-together dry, finally beating in the coffee

Recipe Blog - Dark Chocolate Cake - batter2

Divide the batter evenly between prepared cake pans

Recipe Blog - Dark Chocolate Cake - bake1

Place the cake upon the preheated baking stone

Recipe Blog - Dark Chocolate Cake - bake2

Bake 40 min or until few crumbs come free when tested

Recipe Blog - Dark Chocolate Cake - decorate

Fully chill before decorating

Recipe Blog - Dark Chocolate Cake - serve1

Decorate with chocolate ganache, icing, and your favorite accessories

Recipe Blog - Dark Chocolate Cake - serve2

Adding coffee and a pinch of salt brings out the depth of the chocolate

Recipe Blog - Dark Chocolate Cake - serve3

Slice and serve