A dense, decadent, ultra-chocolatey cake with a fudgy texture that delivers a melt-in-your-mouth experience with every bite.
🎉 Introduction
This Fudgy Chocolate Cake is for true chocolate lovers only. It’s not light and fluffy—it’s dense, moist, and deeply chocolatey, just like a cross between a cake and a rich brownie. Perfect for celebrations, holidays, or any moment you need chocolate therapy. 🍫💖
With a smooth chocolate glaze or thick ganache topping, this cake’s luxurious texture and intense flavor make it a guaranteed crowd favorite—and it’s surprisingly simple to whip up!
🛒 Ingredients
(Makes one 8-inch round cake)
🍰 For the Cake
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup dark chocolate chips or chopped baking chocolate
- 1¼ cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- Optional: 1 tsp espresso powder (to enhance chocolate flavor)
🍫 For the Ganache Topping
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tbsp butter (optional, for shine)
👩🍳 Directions
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease and line the bottom of an 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper.
Step 2: Melt Butter and Chocolate
In a saucepan or microwave, gently melt butter and chocolate together. Stir until smooth. Let cool for 5 minutes.
Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a mixing bowl, whisk together both sugars and eggs until thick and slightly pale (about 1–2 minutes). Stir in vanilla.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
Sift in cocoa powder, flour, and salt. Add espresso powder if using.
Step 5: Add Chocolate Mix
Slowly whisk the cooled chocolate mixture into the egg mixture until fully combined.
Step 6: Bake
Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top.
Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the center is just set and a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs. Cool completely before adding ganache.
Step 7: Make Ganache
Heat heavy cream until just steaming. Pour over chocolate chips and let sit 1–2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Add butter for extra shine if desired.
Step 8: Glaze and Serve
Pour ganache over the cooled cake and spread evenly. Chill for 15–20 minutes to set the glaze before slicing.
🍽️ Servings & Timing
- Servings: 10–12
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Bake Time: 35–40 minutes
- Cool & Glaze Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: ~1 hour 30 minutes
🥄 Variations
- Flourless Option: Swap flour for almond flour or finely ground hazelnuts
- Nutella Center: Add a swirl of Nutella to the batter before baking
- Spiced Version: Add cinnamon, chili powder, or cardamom
- Mini Cakes: Bake in ramekins for personal molten versions
- Salted Caramel Topping: Drizzle over ganache for a layered flavor profile
🧊 Storage & Reheating
- Room Temp: Store covered for 2 days
- Fridge: Lasts up to 5 days; bring to room temp before serving
- Freezer: Freeze glazed or unglazed slices for up to 2 months
- Reheat: Warm slices in microwave for 10–15 seconds for a gooey finish
❓ 10 FAQs
- Can I use milk chocolate instead?
Yes, but it will be sweeter and less intense. - Can I skip the ganache?
You can, but it adds amazing richness. - Why is my cake too soft?
It’s meant to be dense and fudgy—don’t overbake! - What’s the best pan to use?
An 8-inch round pan works best for this dense batter. - Can I make it ahead?
Yes—chill overnight for even better flavor. - What type of cocoa powder is best?
Use Dutch-processed for smoother, deeper taste. - Can I make it gluten-free?
Use 1:1 gluten-free flour or almond flour. - Can I add nuts?
Absolutely—chopped pecans or walnuts work great. - Is this cake good for layering?
Not ideal—it’s very rich and better served as a single layer. - Can kids eat this?
Yes, just skip espresso powder if you prefer!
🏁 Conclusion
If you’re looking for the ultimate chocolate indulgence, this Fudgy Chocolate Cake delivers decadence in every bite. Rich, tender, and dripping with ganache, it’s the kind of dessert that turns a simple gathering into a celebration. 🍫💫
Serve it with berries, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar—just be prepared for it to disappear fast.
Fudgy Chocolate Cake – Deeply Rich, Moist & Melts in Your Mouth
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease and line the bottom of an 8-inch round cake pan with parchment paper.
- In a saucepan or microwave, gently melt butter and chocolate together. Stir until smooth. Let cool for 5 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together both sugars and eggs until thick and slightly pale (about 1–2 minutes). Stir in vanilla.
- Sift in cocoa powder, flour, and salt. Add espresso powder if using.
- Slowly whisk the cooled chocolate mixture into the egg mixture until fully combined.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the center is just set and a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs. Cool completely before adding ganache.
- Heat heavy cream until just steaming. Pour over chocolate chips and let sit 1–2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Add butter for extra shine if desired.
- Pour ganache over the cooled cake and spread evenly. Chill for 15–20 minutes to set the glaze before slicing.
Notes
Flourless Option: Swap flour for almond flour or finely ground hazelnuts Nutella Center: Add a swirl of Nutella to the batter before baking Spiced Version: Add cinnamon, chili powder, or cardamom Mini Cakes: Bake in ramekins for personal molten versions Salted Caramel Topping: Drizzle over ganache for a layered flavor profile 🧊 Storage & Reheating
Room Temp: Store covered for 2 days Fridge: Lasts up to 5 days; bring to room temp before serving Freezer: Freeze glazed or unglazed slices for up to 2 months Reheat: Warm slices in microwave for 10–15 seconds for a gooey finish ❓ 10 FAQs
Can I use milk chocolate instead?
Yes, but it will be sweeter and less intense. Can I skip the ganache?
You can, but it adds amazing richness. Why is my cake too soft?
It’s meant to be dense and fudgy—don’t overbake! What’s the best pan to use?
An 8-inch round pan works best for this dense batter. Can I make it ahead?
Yes—chill overnight for even better flavor. What type of cocoa powder is best?
Use Dutch-processed for smoother, deeper taste. Can I make it gluten-free?
Use 1:1 gluten-free flour or almond flour. Can I add nuts?
Absolutely—chopped pecans or walnuts work great. Is this cake good for layering?
Not ideal—it’s very rich and better served as a single layer. Can kids eat this?
Yes, just skip espresso powder if you prefer! 🏁 Conclusion
If you’re looking for the ultimate chocolate indulgence, this Fudgy Chocolate Cake delivers decadence in every bite. Rich, tender, and dripping with ganache, it’s the kind of dessert that turns a simple gathering into a celebration. 🍫💫 Serve it with berries, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar—just be prepared for it to disappear fast.
