Chocolate Fudge Cake
This supremely moist and tender chocolate cake is surrounded by a rich chocolate fudge frosting. It’s the best chocolate cake you’ll ever taste and it’s uber easy to make!
We had our Canadian Thanksgiving earlier this month and celebrated two birthdays as well, my niece and my oldest son. My niece Vivian had requested a chocolate fudge cake a while back and I finally got around to making it for her. The cake went over so well with the family that I had to share the recipe on the blog.
Everyone raved about how moist this chocolate cake was and how amazing the frosting was as well. This cake starts with a one-bowl chocolate cake recipe. All you do is toss all the dry ingredients together, then add in all the wet ingredients and whisk until smooth. The batter will be very thin.
What makes this cake so moist and tender:
- it has a very high liquid content
- it uses buttermilk for moisture and tenderness
- it uses oil instead of butter for a silkier texture
What makes this cake so fudgy:
- I used dutch-processed cocoa for an intense chocolate flavor and rich dark color
- there is a pound of chocolate in the frosting
- you make the frosting by stirring all the ingredients by hand, which creates a velvety-smooth and creamy texture
This chocolate fudge cake is hands down the best chocolate cake you’ll ever make. The frosting is rich and creamy, and made with a whole lot of chocolate. It’s also tangy from the sour cream, which balances the sweetness from the chocolate. The cake is soft and tender with a silky crumb texture. It’s the ultimate chocolate lover’s dream!
PrintChocolate Fudge Cake
- Prep Time: 45 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 12-14
- Category: dessert
- Method: bake
- Cuisine: American
Description
This supremely moist and tender chocolate cake is surrounded by a rich chocolate fudge frosting. It’s the best chocolate cake you’ll ever taste and it’s uber easy to make!
Ingredients
Cake
- 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
- 1 & 3/4 cups (220g) all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup (65g) unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted if lumpy (I used dutch-processed)
- 2 tsp (10g) baking soda
- 1 tsp (4g) baking powder
- 1 tsp (4g) salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup (250ml) buttermilk
- 1 cup (250ml) strong black coffee, room temperature
- 1/2 cup (125ml) vegetable oil
- 1 tsp (5ml) vanilla extract
Frosting
- 1 lb (454g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 14 oz (1 & 2/3 cups) full-fat sour cream
- 1 tsp (5ml) vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray two 9″ cake pans with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
- Add the eggs, buttermilk, coffee, oil and vanilla. Whisk everything together for 1 minute until well blended and smooth; batter will be very thin. Divide batter evenly between the prepared pans.
- Bake for 30 to 32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean. Let cool completely before frosting.
- To prepare the frosting; melt the chocolate chips over a double-boiler until completely melted Remove from heat.
- Stir in the sour cream and vanilla until smooth. Let stand for a few minutes until thickens to a buttercream texture. If it gets too thick or the chocolate seizes when you add in the sour cream, simply reheat in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time until melted again or until you reach your desired consistency.
- Trim the cake domes if needed. Spread one third of the frosting on top of one cake. Place the second cake on top. Spread the remaining frosting on top and all around the sides of the cake. Use a warm knife to slice and serve because the frosting can get quite thick as it cools.
Notes
Leftover cake can be covered and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 454
- Sugar: 50 g
- Sodium: 438.4 mg
- Fat: 20.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 67 g
- Protein: 6.9 g
- Cholesterol: 32 mg
Recipe adapted from Hershey.com and SugarHero.com.
I’ll be sharing this at Fiesta Friday #246 hosted by Angie, and co-hosted by Mollie @ The Frugal Hausfrau and Mila @ Milkandbun.
Could I bake this in a 9×13 pan if I adjust the bake time?
Actually, if you are looking for the perfect chocolate cake for a 9×13 pan, use this recipe https://www.littlesweetbaker.com/chocolate-cake-easy-sheet/
Well, yesterday I made myself a triple chocolate cake for my birthday today. Then I see this! I will have to try this Chocolate Fudge Cake next time! Looks delish!
Thanks Meg and I hope you like it! Happy birthday too!
The best chocolate cake I’ve ever had!
Thank you, Angela! I’m so happy you like it. Enjoy and stay safe out there!
Hi Lily. I was just wondering if the coffee should be hot/warm or cold when adding it to the batter? Btw, an amazing recipe and can’t wait to tray it out.
Tnx and keep up the good work.
It should be room temperature since it’s being added with the eggs. Thank you for your question and for your kind words!
Hi! Thanks for the recipe. For anyone interested: this recipe is easily halved and baked in two 6-inch pans. Nothing but halving the ingredients changes.
Would love to make this into cupcakes. We’re definitely a cupcake family! How would you recommend converting cake to cupcakes? Just bake time?
Yes, just reduce the bake time. Generally cupcakes take about 15-20 minutes. Enjoy and have a great Sunday!
Plan on getting between 24 and 36 cupcakes from an average cake recipe (one that would usually make two 9-inch rounds or one 9×13-inch cake). Bake the cupcakes between 20 and 30 minutes (sometimes the depth of cupcakes means they actually take longer than a thin cake layer)
Thank you for your great advice, Monika! Much appreciated:)
I am drooling, Lilly! This has my name all over it…wait, it will if you just add “Mollie” to the top,…and send it over, please!
Thanks for sharing your creation with us at Fiesta Friday this week!
Mollie
You’re very welcome Mollie, and thank you for co-hosting. You’re always a hoot!
Thank you so much for sharing. This is the chocolate cake that I have been craving, but I don’t know where to get it from. I love how easy this recipe is, especially that it only requires one bowl. My 4 year old helped me make it. Delicious!
You’re very welcome, Yen! Thank you for your kind words. I think it’s so great that your 4 year old helped you make the cake. Enjoy and have a great week!
I’m a chocolate lover and love everything about this beautiful cake!
Thanks Julie! So glad you stopped by. xoxo
Hi Lily!
I wanted to ask who eat all these beautiful cakes, and you wrote the answer about birthdays 😀
and what a lovely pinkish flowers on the photo!
Thanks Mila! The flowers are from what’s left of my garden and there are always people around to eat cake. Whether it be family, neighbors or co-workers:)
Lily, I want this cake!! It looks so divine!! Thanks for sharing & happy Fiesta Friday!
Thanks Jhuls, and have a great week!