Name: Chocolate Fudge Cake Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 450 g dark chocolate; 350 ml double cream; 200 g unsalted butter; 150 g icing sugar; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 70 g cocoa powder; 1 teaspoon instant coffee; 120 ml hot water; 180 g unsalted butter, softened; 150 ml vegetable oil; 180 g granulated sugar; 180 g soft light brown sugar; 6 eggs; 200 ml buttermilk; 300 g plain flour; 1.5 teaspoons baking soda; 1 tablespoon white vinegar

Jump to Recipe· 4.7 from 14 reviews

If there’s one dessert that can instantly make a birthday, celebration, or even a quiet Tuesday night feel extraordinary, it’s Chocolate Fudge Cake. This luscious cake is the epitome of rich chocolate flavor, with moist, tender layers slathered in a glossy, deeply decadent fudge icing. Perfectly balanced between indulgent and sophisticated, it’s a treat that always brings people together. Whether you’re a lifelong chocolate lover or just after a show-stopping dessert, you’re going to fall hard for this recipe!

Chocolate Fudge Cake Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering your ingredients for Chocolate Fudge Cake is wonderfully straightforward, and each component plays a crucial role in building layers of flavor, texture, and ultimate chocolatey satisfaction. Don’t skimp on quality—good chocolate and real butter truly make a difference here!

Dark chocolate: Opt for a premium bar with at least 60% cocoa solids for the fudge icing—it’s the key to deep, intense chocolate flavor.
Double cream: Adds incredible richness and silky texture to the icing, making every bite velvety smooth.
Unsalted butter: Brings luscious moisture to both icing and cake, while allowing you to control the salt level.
Icing sugar: Dissolves easily into the fudge icing, giving that classic sweetness and glossy finish.
Vanilla extract: Just a splash adds warmth and enhances the chocolate, making flavors pop.
Salt: A pinch is all you need to balance sweetness and bring out all the best notes in the chocolate.
Cocoa powder: Use a high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder for a deep, dark color and robust taste in the cake layers.
Instant coffee: Don’t worry, you won’t taste coffee—this just intensifies the chocolate for even more flavor.
Hot water: Blooming the cocoa and coffee creates the base for an ultra-chocolatey cake.
Vegetable oil: Keeps the cake irresistibly moist and soft, even after a day or two.
Granulated sugar: Brings structure and light sweetness to the cake batter.
Soft light brown sugar: Adds depth, a subtle caramel note, and extra moisture.
Eggs: Six eggs give the cake a lovely rise and rich texture.
Buttermilk: The secret to tender, melt-in-your-mouth crumb—don’t skip this!
Plain flour: Regular all-purpose flour forms the perfect base for fluffy, not-dense layers.
Baking soda: Works with the vinegar to ensure your cake rises beautifully.
White vinegar: Activates the baking soda for an airy, moist cake.

How to Make Chocolate Fudge Cake

Step 1: Create the Fudge Icing

Start by making the star of the show: that dreamy fudge icing. Combine your dark chocolate, double cream, unsalted butter, icing sugar, vanilla extract, and a touch of salt in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Set it over medium heat, stirring constantly, just until the chocolate and butter have fully melted and it’s a smooth, glossy mixture. For silky-smooth results, press the icing through a fine sieve to catch any pesky lumps. Cover, then let it set—chilled in the fridge for a couple of hours if you’re in a hurry, or on the counter overnight for a softer spread.

Step 2: Prep the Pans and Oven

Preheat your oven to 180°C. While it heats, grease and line three 8-inch cake tins to prevent sticking and ensure those gorgeous layers come out flawlessly. Set the tins aside so they’re ready to go.

Step 3: Mix the Chocolate Base

In a large bowl, whisk together cocoa powder, instant coffee, and hot water until you have a smooth, dark mixture. This blooming step unlocks all those chocolate flavors and sets the stage for a fudgy cake. Let this mixture cool for 5–10 minutes before moving on.

Step 4: Build the Batter

Once your chocolate base has cooled a bit, add in the softened butter, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, and soft light brown sugar. Beat these together for a full five minutes until light and creamy. Next, work in the eggs: add three first and mix, then pour in the rest with the buttermilk for extra richness. Fold in the plain flour just until smooth—overmixing can toughen the cake!

Step 5: Activate and Add Leavening

In a small bowl, add the baking soda, then pour the white vinegar on top. Watch the satisfying fizz as these combine. Give it a quick mix and immediately incorporate this into your cake batter, giving it one last gentle whisk. This step ensures a beautifully risen and fluffy cake.

Step 6: Bake the Layers

Evenly divide your luscious batter among the prepared tins. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool completely in their tins—patience pays off, as this keeps the layers moist and less fragile when assembling later.

Step 7: Assemble and Decorate

Once the cakes and fudge icing are fully cooled and set, you’re ready to build your masterpiece. If desired, trim the tops of each layer for a flat surface—this step is optional, but it leads to a truly professional look. Place one cake on your stand, spread a generous layer of fudge icing over the top, and repeat with the second and third layers. Finish by covering the entire cake in the remaining icing, creating swirls or smooth finishes as you prefer. Your Chocolate Fudge Cake is now ready for its grand debut!

How to Serve Chocolate Fudge Cake

Garnishes

For that finishing touch, you can garnish Chocolate Fudge Cake with chocolate shavings, a dusting of cocoa, or chocolate curls. Fresh berries (like raspberries or strawberries) add a beautiful pop of color and a tangy bite that pairs wonderfully with rich chocolate. Don’t forget a light sprinkling of sea salt flakes for wow-factor and to deepen those flavors even further!

Side Dishes

Chocolate Fudge Cake is heavenly all on its own, but serving it with a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla or coffee ice cream, or even alongside some stewed cherries adds a whole extra dimension. For an adults-only twist, try pairing it with a silky glass of dessert wine or a cup of bold espresso.

Creative Ways to Present

Put your own spin on presentation by layering the cake in jars for a gorgeous “cake-in-a-jar” dessert, cutting into petite squares for fudgy cake bites at a party, or even stacking with fresh fruit and edible flowers for a rustic yet elegant centerpiece. The possibilities for showcasing your Chocolate Fudge Cake are as endless as your creativity!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with leftover Chocolate Fudge Cake (lucky you!), simply cover slices tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. It will stay moist, fudgy, and utterly delicious for up to three days at room temperature or five days in the fridge.

Freezing

Chocolate Fudge Cake freezes beautifully. To freeze, wrap individual slices (or even the entire cake) securely in a layer of plastic wrap, then foil. Store for up to three months. When you’re ready for a chocolate fix, let it thaw gently at room temperature before serving.

Reheating

If you crave that just-baked warmth, you can microwave slices of Chocolate Fudge Cake for 10–15 seconds. This brings back that gooey, fudgy texture and melts the icing into pure decadence—a perfect treat on a chilly day!

FAQs

Can I use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate for the fudge icing?

Absolutely! Milk chocolate will make the icing sweeter and a bit lighter, but it will still be delicious. You might want to reduce the sugar in the icing if you’re sensitive to extra sweetness.

What’s a good substitute for buttermilk?

If you don’t have buttermilk handy, mix 200 ml of regular milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes. This mimics the tang and acidity of real buttermilk, yielding a moist cake.

Can I make this Chocolate Fudge Cake gluten-free?

Yes, simply swap the plain flour for your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Be sure to check all other ingredient labels as needed for cross-contamination if you’re serving someone with severe gluten intolerance.

What’s the best way to get flat, even cake layers?

For bakery-worthy, even layers, use a long serrated knife to trim off any domed tops once the cakes are completely cool. Or, try baking strips around your cake tins—they help the layers bake up evenly flat right in the oven.

Can I prepare parts of the cake in advance?

Definitely! Both the fudge icing and cake layers can be made a day ahead. Store the icing covered at room temperature or in the fridge, and keep the cake layers well-wrapped. Assemble everything the day you plan to serve for absolute freshness.

Final Thoughts

Trust me, this Chocolate Fudge Cake is the kind of recipe you’ll come back to time and again—whether you’re celebrating or just need a little extra joy. Give it a try and watch it transform even an ordinary day into something sweetly unforgettable!