Description

Indulge in this rich and decadent Death by Chocolate Cake, featuring layers of moist dark chocolate cake, luscious chocolate buttercream, and a drizzle of chocolate simple syrup. Perfect for any chocolate lover!

Ingredients

Scale

1/2 cup water 120g

1/2 cup granulated sugar 100g

1 Tbsp dark or Dutch-processed cocoa powder 6g

2 cups all-purpose flour 260g

2 cups granulated sugar 400g

3/4 cup dark or Dutch-processed cocoa powder 75g

2 tsp baking powder 8g

1 1/2 tsp baking soda 9g

1 tsp fine salt 6g

1 cup water

warm 240g

1 cup full-fat sour cream

room temperature 255g

1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil 110g

2 large eggs

room temperature 112g

2 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste 8g

1 tsp instant espresso or coffee – optional 1g

2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter

room temperature 452g

1 cup dark baking cocoa

sifted 100g

1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste 4g

1/2 tsp fine salt 3g

5 cups powdered sugar 625g

3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

room temperature 180g

1 1/3 cups dark chocolate chips

melted and cooled 230g

2 cups mini chocolate chips 360g

Instructions

To make the chocolate simple syrup, combine water, granulated sugar, and cocoa powder in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Let it cool.
For the cake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 9-inch round cake pans.
In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix well.
Add warm water, sour cream, oil, eggs, vanilla, and optional espresso to the dry ingredients. Mix until well combined and smooth.
Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and bake for 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
While the cakes cool, prepare the chocolate buttercream. Beat the butter until creamy, then gradually add cocoa powder, vanilla, salt, and powdered sugar, alternating with the heavy cream until desired consistency is achieved.
Once the cakes have cooled, place one layer on a serving plate, drizzle with chocolate syrup, and spread a layer of frosting on top. Add the second layer and cover the entire cake with the remaining buttercream.
For decoration, sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

For extra decadence, you can fill the layers with ganache or additional frosting. Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for better mixing.

Prep Time: 20
Cook Time: 30
Category: Dessert
Method: baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 520
Sugar: 42g
Sodium: 360mg
Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 18g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Carbohydrates: 62g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 6g
Cholesterol: 110mg

Keywords: death by chocolate cake, chocolate cake, dessert, chocolate recipes, cake recipes