Indulge in this Ultimate Double Fudge Cake—a super chocolatey, rich, dense, and moist chocolate cake topped with the best chocolate frosting. This decadent dessert melts in your mouth with an intense chocolate flavor that is both indulgent and satisfying for any chocolate lover! If you’re looking for the best homemade chocolate cake recipe, look no further. This is the ultimate chocolate cake for any occasion. For another rich and decadent chocolate dessert, don’t miss my Chocolate Sheet Cake recipe!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Chocolate Chips: This recipe uses milk chocolate chips to create a sweet and creamy chocolate flavor in the cake. If you prefer a less sweet, more intense chocolate taste, you can substitute with semisweet chocolate chips. Using high-quality chocolate chips will enhance the rich chocolate flavor of the cake.
Cocoa Powder: For a deeper color and richer chocolate flavor, use Dutch-processed cocoa powder in both the cake and the frosting. Dutch-processed cocoa is alkalized, giving it a smoother taste, which is perfect for this moist chocolate cake. If you only have natural unsweetened cocoa powder, you can use it, but the cake may not be as dark or intensely flavored.
Oil: Adding vegetable oil or canola oil to the cake batter ensures that the baked cake stays moist and tender. This is key to achieving a moist chocolate cake that melts in your mouth.
Frosting: The chocolate frosting in this recipe is incredibly creamy and complements the fudgy cake perfectly. Although it’s called a brownie frosting, it pairs wonderfully with this dense chocolate cake. The cake is so rich and moist that it almost resembles a thick brownie, yet it’s undeniably a cake! You might even consider enjoying the cake without the frosting—it’s that good on its own!
How to Check if Your Chocolate Cake is Done
Avoiding overbaking is crucial for a moist and tender cake. Here are a couple of methods to ensure your Double Fudge Cake is perfectly baked:
- Toothpick Test: Insert a clean toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out with a few moist crumbs clinging to it, the cake is done. If it comes out with wet batter, it needs more time. If it comes out completely clean, the cake may be overbaked.
- Touch Test: Gently press down on the center of the cake with your fingertip. The cake should spring back lightly and feel firm but not hard.
How to Store Double Fudge Chocolate Cake
This decadent chocolate cake can be stored at room temperature, even with the frosting, for up to 4-5 days. To keep it fresh, cover the cake with a cake dome or an inverted bowl to protect it from air and contaminants. After slicing, it’s best to spread a bit of frosting on the exposed cut edges or press a piece of plastic wrap directly against the cut sides to prevent the cake from drying out.
Can I Freeze a Frosted Chocolate Cake?
Absolutely! To freeze your frosted Double Fudge Cake:
- Initial Freeze: Place the cake on a baking sheet and freeze it uncovered for a few hours, or until the frosting is firm.
- Wrap: Once the cake is frozen, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Then, wrap it again in a second layer of plastic wrap.
- Extra Protection: For added protection against freezer burn, wrap the cake in a layer of aluminum foil.
- Label and Store: Label the package with the date. The cake can be frozen for up to three months.
- Thawing: When you’re ready to enjoy the cake, transfer it (still wrapped) to the refrigerator to thaw overnight.
Ingredients
Cake
- 1½ cups (270 g) milk chocolate chips
- 1¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (90 g) Dutch-processed cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon (3 g) baking soda
- 1½ teaspoons (9 g) kosher salt
- 5 large eggs, room temperature
- 1¾ cups (350 g) granulated sugar
- ¾ cup (180 ml / 160 g) vegetable oil
- 1 cup (240 ml) water
Frosting
- 6 tablespoons (85 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 6 tablespoons (45 g) Dutch-processed cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons (40 g) honey
- 2 teaspoons (10 ml) vanilla extract
- 2 cups (250 g) confectioners’ sugar
- 6 tablespoons (90 ml) whole milk
Instructions
Cake
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
Spray a 9×13-inch (23×33 cm) metal baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Melt the Chocolate Chips:
In a medium, microwave-safe bowl, add 1½ cups (270 g) milk chocolate chips.
Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until the chips are melted and smooth.
Set aside to cool slightly while you prepare the dry ingredients.
Prepare Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together:
- 1¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (90 g) Dutch-processed cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon (3 g) baking soda
- 1½ teaspoons (9 g) kosher salt
Mix Eggs and Sugar:
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add:
- 5 large eggs, room temperature
- 1¾ cups (350 g) granulated sugar
Beat on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
Combine Wet Ingredients:
With the mixer on low speed, gradually add:
- The melted chocolate
- ¾ cup (180 ml / 160 g) vegetable oil
- 1 cup (240 ml) water
Mix until smooth.
Combine Dry and Wet Mixtures:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
Mix on low speed until no lumps remain.
Bake:
Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish.
Bake for 46-48 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs but no wet batter.
Prepare Frosting While Cake is Warm:
As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, begin making the frosting.
Frosting
Combine Ingredients:
In a stand mixer with the whisk attachment or using a hand mixer, combine:
- 6 tablespoons (85 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 6 tablespoons (45 g) Dutch-processed cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons (40 g) honey
- 2 teaspoons (10 ml) vanilla extract
- 2 cups (250 g) confectioners’ sugar
Mix:
Turn the mixer on low speed and mix for about 30 seconds until ingredients are well combined.
Adjust Consistency:
Slowly add 6 tablespoons (90 ml) whole milk, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until you reach the desired spreading consistency.
Frost the Cake:
Spread the frosting evenly over the warm cake.
Allow the cake to cool completely before serving.
Enjoy this indulgent Double Fudge Cake, and share it with fellow chocolate enthusiasts! This rich and moist chocolate cake is sure to become a favorite in your dessert repertoire.
