Chocolate Fudge Cake

Monday, June 17, 2013

Sometimes the best things in life are the understated. Like this simple chocolate fudge cake with ganache filling and frosting. No fancy swirls or sprinkles or fillings. Just a good quality chocolate cake.

Today is my birthday, and like the cake, we’re keeping the celebration simple this year. We’re having some friends over for a cookout next weekend to celebrate. There will be some grilling, a game or two of bocci, and smores. I can’t wait for the upcoming opposite of an over-the-top party.

While this cake may seem understated, the flavors are rich and chocolatey, like a chocolate cake should be. Using a simple ganache to fill and frost the cake just adds to the decadence and keeps the cake extremely moist. With a simple candle, this would make any birthday boy or girl giddy with joy.

Three Years Ago: PB&J Omelet
Four Years Ago: Crockpot French Dip Sandwich

Chocolate Fudge Cake

Yield: Serves 12-14

Ingredients:

For the Cake
2 cups (14 ounces) sugar
2 cups (8 1/2 ounces) flour
2 Tbsp (3/8 ounce) cornstarch
3/4 cup (2 1/4 ounces) dark cocoa or Dutch-process cocoa
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp espresso powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
4 eggs
3/4 cup (5 1/4 ounces) vegetable oil
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 cups (10 ounces) water

For the Filling
12 ounces semisweet chocolate
6 ounces cream (light, whipping, or heavy) or milk, or a combination
3 Tbsp Framboise

For the Frosting
8 ounces semisweet chocolate
4 ounces cream (light, whipping, or heavy)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degF. Lightly grease and flour two 8" x 2" round cake pans.

For the Cake
Whisk together the dry ingredients. Add the eggs, oil, and vanilla, beating until smooth. Gradually add the water, beating until smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared pans.

Bake the cakes for 35 to 38 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool the cakes in the pan for 15 minutes, then turn them out of the pans to cool completely on a rack.

For the Filling
Combine the chocolate and cream in a microwave-safe bowl, and heat until the cream is very hot, and the chocolate very soft. Stir to melt the chocolate completely, reheating very briefly if necessary. Stir in the Framboise (see KAF recipe for alternative flavoring options)

Divide the cooled layers in half horizontally, to make four layers. Place one layer on a serving plate, and spread with filling. Repeat with the next two layers. Top with the final cake layer.

For the Frosting
Combine the chocolate and cream in a microwave-safe bowl, and heat until the cream is very hot, and the chocolate very soft. Stir to melt the chocolate completely, reheating very briefly if necessary.

Pour and spread the icing over the top of the cake, letting it drip over the edges and down the sides. Once it’s done dripping, you may smooth the sides with an icing spatula, if desired.

Allow the cake to rest, covered with a cake cover until the chocolate is set; overnight is good, though several hours are sufficient.

Recipe from King Arthur Flour

Cakes, Dessert

25 comments »

25 Responses to “Chocolate Fudge Cake”

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1

Eva @ Eva Bakes — June 17, 2013 at 8:10 am
Happy birthday! Today is my husband’s birthday, and he also requested a chocolate cake. I baked him Ina Garten’s Beatty’s chocolate cake. Your chocolate cake may be the one I bake for my birthday later this year. 🙂
- beantownbaker — June 17th, 2013 @ 8:48 am
  
  That’s a really good chocolate cake recipe too! Tell your husband happy birthday!
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2

Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic — June 17, 2013 at 9:06 am

Happy birthday! A no frills chocolate fudge cake sounds perfect 🙂
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3

Rachel @ Baked by Rachel — June 17, 2013 at 9:16 am
This looks amazing!! And happy birthday!!!
- beantownbaker — June 17th, 2013 @ 9:34 am
  
  Thanks 🙂
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4

tracy {pale yellow} — June 17, 2013 at 3:07 pm

Happy Birthday! Noting like a perfectly simple chocolate cake to ring in a new year! This one looks scrumptious!
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5

Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) — June 17, 2013 at 7:15 pm

That is seriously one gorgeous cake!!! I think I’m in love!
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6

carolg — June 17, 2013 at 9:13 pm
happy birthday and thanks so much for the chocolate cake- can’t have too many chocolate cake recipes
- beantownbaker — June 18th, 2013 @ 4:02 pm
  
  I couldn’t agree more!
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7

Jessamyn — June 17, 2013 at 10:08 pm

We’re birthday buddies! Hope you had a great day!
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8

Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers — June 18, 2013 at 7:05 am

Happy Birthday! Your cake looks amazing!!
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9

carolg — June 18, 2013 at 8:44 am
and if i want to make this 9 x 13?any caveats? i never know if i can just change pan size and oven time/temp?
- beantownbaker — June 18th, 2013 @ 4:05 pm
  
  Two 9″ round pans is the same amount of cake batter as a 9×13 pan. I’d probably use the same temp and start checking around the same time. But I would expect it to take longer to bake in the end.
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10

carolg — June 18, 2013 at 9:11 pm

tnx- 9 x 13 is easier to tote
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11

Nutmeg Nanny — June 18, 2013 at 10:33 pm

Oh goodness, this looks indulgent! I need to make this for my husband as soon as I can!
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12

Karen - Cinnamon Freud — June 18, 2013 at 11:48 pm
Happy birthday! This cake is to die for- looks so chocolatey and fudgey. Hope you had a great day!
- beantownbaker — June 19th, 2013 @ 7:13 am
  
  Thanks! I had a great birthday this year.
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13

krimpetgirl — June 23, 2013 at 1:35 pm
Tomorrow is my birthday and I am making your birthday cake for my big day!

Thanks!
- beantownbaker — June 23rd, 2013 @ 7:56 pm
  
  Happy birthday tomorrow!! Hope you enjoy the cake as much as I did.
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14

Shashi @ http://runninsrilankan.com — July 5, 2013 at 6:16 am
Wow – this cake looks so good! I am always looking for chocolatecake recipes to try – so glad to have stumbled on your blog!
- beantownbaker — July 5th, 2013 @ 9:55 am
  
  Glad you found me!
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15

Amber Berry — August 3, 2013 at 5:36 pm
I just made this for my mom and brothers Birthday tomorrow 🙂 I will come back and let you know how mine turned out 🙂 thanks for the recipe and happy late Birthday!
- beantownbaker — August 4th, 2013 @ 6:42 pm
  
  Definitely let me know how it goes!
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16

Amber Berry — August 4, 2013 at 10:51 pm
The cake turned out amazing and was a huge hit! Most of the kids weren’t a huge fan but i don’t think they have learned to appreciate dark chocolate 🙂
- beantownbaker — August 5th, 2013 @ 7:14 am
  
  Glad it was a success (for the adults!)

Chocolate Fudge Cake