Best Ever Chocolate Fudge Layer Cake Recipes

ULTIMATE 6-LAYER CHOCOLATE FUDGE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350° F (177°C). Grease the bottom and sides of 1 or 2 ( 8-inch) round cake pans with non-stick spray. Place parchment rounds on the bottom. Set aside. If you only have 1 or 2 8-inch pans, take out 4-5 bowls to divide your batter in later.
• In a large bowl, sift flour, cocoa, salt, baking soda and baking powder. Whisk to combine, set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, or in a large mixing bowl using a hand mixer, beat the butter and sugar on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, 4-5 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl.
• Lower the speed to medium-low and add eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition until just combined. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl.
• In a small bowl, combine the vanilla and instant coffee granules. Add the sour cream to the batter along with the vanilla/coffee mixture and beat on medium speed until combined. Batter will be curdled.
• Alternately add dry ingredients in thirds and buttermilk in 2 additions to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Beat each addition just until combined.
• Divide batter equally in 6 portions. I added a scoop of batter to 2 cake pans, then a scoop to 4 bowls and repeated until all the batter was done. Cover the other bowls of batter and set aside.
• Bake two layers at a time for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and cake springs back when lightly touched.
• Remove cakes from oven and allow to cool in pans for about 10 minutes, then turn onto cooling racks to cool completely before frosting.
• Bake another 2 layers and repeat. Once those are cooled, bake the final 2 layers. Wrap all the cooled layers and store them in the refrigerator to chill and set up to make it easier to handle. See post above for tips on how to handle the layers without breaking.
• Place chopped chocolate in a medium bowl. Set aside.
• Heat 1/4 cup of heavy cream in a small saucepan, stirring constantly until it just begins to simmer.
• Remove hot cream from the heat then pour it over the chocolate, and slowly stir until smooth. Cover the bowl and transfer to the refrigerator to cool down, stirring every 5-10 minutes for about 20-30 minutes or until ganache is completely cooled. Alternatively, you can let it cool at room temperature.
• Once ganache has cooled, whip 1/2 cup of heavy cream with the powdered sugar in a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, or in a medium stainless steel mixing bowl using a hand mixer, on high speed until it reaches stiff peaks, about 2-3 minutes.
• Remove the ganache from the refrigerator and stir to loosen. Use a rubber spatula to gently fold the whipped cream into the ganache, about 1/3 at a time until fully incorporated and no white streaks remain.
• Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, placing the wrap directly onto the mousse surface. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or overnight.
• Place the chopped chocolate and butter pieces into a large bowl. Set aside.
• Heat the heavy cream in a medium saucepan until it just begins to simmer.
• Remove hot cream from heat then pour it over the chocolate and butter. Cover the bowl and allow it to sit for 5 minutes.
• Remove cover and gently stir mixture until it forms a smooth ganache.
• Place bowl in the refrigerator and stir every 20 minutes until the ganache is a thick, spreadable consistency. This took me around an hour, but it really depends on the coldness of your refrigerator.
• Use an offset spatula to place a dollop of ganache onto a cake board or serving platter that's on a turntable. Place one cake layer on top and spread about 1/2 cup of the ganache on top.
• Add a second layer on top and spread on half of the mousse.
• Repeat with all layers, alternating between ganache and mousse. You should have 3 layers of ganache and 2 layers of mousse. Place the final layer upside down.
• Chill the cake for 30 minutes so the layers can set back up. Stir remaining ganache occasionally to keep it loose.
• Once chilled, remove the cake from the refrigerator and frost the top and sides with the remaining ganache.
• Pour mini chocolate chips into a bowl and grab large handfuls to press up the sides of the cake. You may want to have a large pan or container under the cake to catch any spills. 7. Go around the cake once with the chocolate chips, then go back to fill any gaps.
• Carefully cut your chocolate squares in half and place on top of the cake. Slice and serve!

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease two 9-inch cake pans, line with parchment paper, then grease the parchment paper. Parchment paper helps the cakes seamlessly release from the pans.
• Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and espresso powder (if using) together in a large bowl. Set aside. Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or you can use a whisk) mix the oil, eggs, and vanilla together on medium-high speed until combined. Add the buttermilk and mix until combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, add the hot water/coffee, and whisk or beat on low speed until the batter is completely combined. Batter is thin.
• Divide batter evenly between pans. Bake for 23-26 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Baking times vary, so keep an eye on yours. The cakes are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (Note: Even if they're completely done, the cooled cakes may *slightly* sink in the center. Cocoa powder is simply not as structurally strong as all-purpose flour and can't hold up to all the moisture necessary to make a moist tasting chocolate cake. It's normal!)
• Remove the cakes from the oven and set on a wire rack. Allow to cool completely in the pan.
• With a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy - about 2 minutes. Add confectioners' sugar, cocoa powder, 3 Tablespoons heavy cream, salt, and vanilla extract. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then increase to high speed and beat for 1 full minute. Do not over-whip. Add 1/4 cup more confectioners' sugar or cocoa powder if frosting is too thin or 1-2 more Tablespoons of cream if frosting is too thick. (I usually add 1 more.) Taste. Add another pinch of salt if desired.
• If cooled cakes are domed on top, use a large serrated knife to slice a thin layer off the tops to create a flat surface. This is called "leveling" the cakes. Discard or crumble over finished cake. Place 1 cake layer on your cake stand or serving plate. Evenly cover the top with frosting. Top with 2nd layer and spread remaining frosting all over the top and sides. I always use an icing spatula and bench scraper for the frosting. Garnish with chocolate chips, if desired.
• Refrigerate cake for at least 30-60 minutes before slicing. This helps the cake hold its shape when cutting.
• Cover leftover cake tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

FUDGE LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Line three greased 9-in. round baking pans with waxed paper and grease the paper; set aside. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in chocolate. Combine the cake flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture alternately with water, beating well after each addition. , Pour into prepared pans. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, all-purpose flour, milk and egg until smooth. Add the dates. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat. Stir in walnuts and vanilla. Cover and refrigerate., For frosting, combine the cream, sugar and corn syrup in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat; stir in chocolate and butter until melted. Transfer to a small bowl. Refrigerate until spreadable, stirring occasionally. , Place one cake layer on a serving plate; spread with half of the filling. Repeat. Top with remaining cake layer. Spread frosting over top and sides of cake. Store in the refrigerator.

BEST-EVER CHOCOLATE FUDGE LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• 1. HEAT OVEN TO 350F. CHOP 2 CHOCOLATE SQUARES. BEAT CAKE MIX, DRY PUDDING MIX, EGGS, SOUR CREAM, OIL AND WATER IN A LARGE BOWL WITH MIXER UNTIL WELL BLENDED. STIR IN CHOPPED CHOCOLATE. POUR INTO 2-9 INCH ROUND PANS SPRAYED WITH COOKING SPRAY.
• 2. BAKE 30-35 MIN. OR UNTIL TOOTHPICK INSERTED COMES OUT CLEAN. COOL IN PANS 10 MIN. LOOSEN CAKE FROM SIDES OF PAN. INVERT ONTO WIRE RACKS; GENTLY REMOVE PANS. COOL CAKE COMPLETELY.
• 3. MICROWAVE WHIPPED TOPPING AND REMAINING CHOCOLATE SQUARES IN MICROWAVEABLE BOWL ON HIGH FOR 1 1/2 MINUTES OR UNTIL CHOCOLATE IS COMPLETELY MELTED AND MIXTURE IS WELL BLENDED, STIRRING AFTER EACH MINUTE. LET STAND 15 MINUTES TO THICKEN.
• 4. STACK CAKE LAYERS ON PLATE, FILLING AND FROSTING WITH COOL WHIP MIXTURE. SPRINKLE WITH NUTS. KEEP REFRIGERATED.
• 5. *****PREPARE USING FAT FREE, SUGAR FREE INSTANT PUDDING, REDUCED FAT SOUR CREAM AND LITE WHIPPED TOPPING. SAVE SOME CALORIES!!

THE VERY BEST CHOCOLATE FUDGE CAKE

Steps:

• 1. FOR THE CAKE: Adjust oven rack to middle position; heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 9-inch-round by 2-inch-high cake pans with softened butter; dust pans with flour and knock out excess. Combine chocolate, cocoa powder, and hot water in medium heatproof bowl; set bowl over saucepan containing 1 inch of simmering water and stir with rubber spatula until chocolate is melted, about 2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup sugar to chocolate mixture and stir until thick and glossy, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove bowl from heat and set aside to cool.
• 2. Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in medium bowl. Combine buttermilk and vanilla in small bowl. In bowl of standing mixer fitted with whisk attachment, whisk eggs and yolks on medium-low speed until combined, about 10 seconds. Add remaining 1 1/4 cups sugar, increase speed to high, and whisk until fluffy and lightened in color, 2 to 3 minutes. Replace whisk with paddle attachment. Add cooled chocolate mixture to egg/sugar mixture and mix on medium speed until thoroughly incorporated, 30 to 45 seconds, pausing to scrape down sides of bowl with rubber spatula as needed. Add softened butter one tablespoon at a time, mixing about 10 seconds after each addition. Add about one-third of flour mixture followed by half of buttermilk mixture, mixing until incorporated after each addition (about 15 seconds). Repeat using half of remaining flour mixture and all of remaining buttermilk mixture (batter may appear separated). Scrape down sides of bowl and add remaining flour mixture; mix at medium-low speed until batter is thoroughly combined, about 15 seconds. Remove bowl from mixer and fold batter once or twice with rubber spatula to incorporate any remaining flour. Divide batter evenly between prepared cake pans; smooth batter to edges of pan with spatula.
• 3. Bake cakes until toothpick inserted into center comes out with a few crumbs attached, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool cakes in pans 15 minutes, then invert onto wire rack. Cool cakes to room temperature before frosting, 45 to 60 minutes.

BEST EVER RICH CHOCOLATE FUDGE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Grease and flour 3 9-inch cake pans.
• In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter until smooth.
• Gradually pour in the brown sugar, then eggs.
• Beat with mixer until light and fluffy, approx 5 minutes.
• On low speed, beat in the vanilla extract, melted chocolate, baking soda and salt.
• Add flour alternately with sour cream, beating at low speed until smooth.
• Pour in boiling hot water and stir until blended.
• Pour into the prepared pan.
• Bake about 25 minutes or until done.
• Remove from oven, let cakes cool about 10-15 minutes, then place on wire racks.

BEST-EVER CHOCOLATE FUDGE LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• HEAT oven to 350 degrees F.
• CHOP 2 chocolate squares. Beat cake mix, dry pudding mix, eggs, sour cream, oil and water in large bowl with mixer on low speed just until moistened. Beat on medium speed 2 minute Stir in chopped chocolate. Pour into 2 greased 9-inch round pans.
• BAKE 30 to 35 minute or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minute Loosen cakes from sides of pans. Invert onto racks; gently remove pans. Cool cakes completely.
• PLACE COOL WHIP and remaining chocolate squares in microwaveable bowl. Microwave on HIGH 1-1/2 minute or until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after 1 minute Let stand 15 minute to thicken. Stack cake layers on plate, filling and frosting with COOL WHIP frosting. Garnish with nuts. Keep refrigerated.

BEST EVER CHOCOLATE FUDGE LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350.
• Chop 2 oz. chocolate. Beat cake mix, dry pudding mix, eggs, sour cream, oil & water in large bowl with mixer until blended. Stir in chopped chocolate. Pour into 2 (9 in.) round pans sprayed with cooking spray.
• Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes. Loosen cakes from sides of pans. Invert onto wire racks: gently remove pans. Cool cakes completely.
• Microwave cool whip & remaining chocolate on high 1 1/2 minutes or until chocolate is completely melted & mixture is well blended, stirring after 1 minute. Let stand 15 minutes to thicken.
• Stack cake layers on plate, filling & frosting with cool whip mixture. Sprinkle with nuts.
• keep refrigerated.