This chocolate birthday cake is the best way to celebrate.
So that’s what we did.
I tasked the Test Kitchen with developing the most decadent chocolate birthday cake possible.
Credit:Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf
This three-layer chocolate birthday cake is absolutely stunning.
Learn how to make a chocolate birthday cake, and strike up the birthday song.
This is one special treat.
Credit:Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf
We’ve highlighted the keys ones here.
Keep scrolling for the full ingredient list and step-by-step instructions for the recipe.
What’s the Secret to the Best Chocolate Flavor?
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If you want a supremely chocolaty chocolate birthday cake, you’re going to need one thing: espresso.
A good chocolate or cocoa has a mixture of sweetness, bitterness, and fruity flavors.
We’ve used this trick in many recipes, includingChocolate Mousse,Brownie Pudding, andChocolate Lava Cakes.
Credit:Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf
Don’t like espresso?
You’ll never know it’s there.
It really does balance all the flavors and hides in the background.
Credit:Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf
What Kind of Chocolate Is Best for Chocolate Birthday Cake?
This recipe uses only cocoa powder.
The unsweetened cocoa powder is also acidic, which reacts with the baking soda.
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What Frostings Can You Use for Chocolate Birthday Cake?
Instead of chocolate, tryVanilla ButtercreamorButtermilk Frosting.
You could even do aHomemade Caramel Frostingand sprinkle it with pecans for a quick “turtle” birthday cake.
Credit:Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf
We wouldn’t argue with a peanut butter frosting either.
How Do You Store Chocolate Birthday Cake?
Also, the cake shouldn’t be at room temperature for more than two hours.
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(The frosting may get too soft, and the layers could slide.)
How Far in Advance Can You Make a Chocolate Birthday Cake?
you’re free to add some moisture back to the layers by brushing on somesimple syrupbefore frosting.
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The buttercream can also be made up to two days in advance.
Then, beat the frosting with a stand mixer until pliable and at room temperature.
Just don’t overbeat it.
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More Decoration Ideas
We obviously love sprinkles for chocolate birthday cakes, or anybirthday cakefor that matter.
But you might get creative: Use colorful frostings or gels to make unique designs and write birthday wishes.
Stick chocolate candies around the edges for a fun border.
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Edible flowers are always sweet; just be sure to source them from a reputable grower.
Finally, you could go classic with a drizzle of dark and white chocolates for an art-inspired finish.
Ingredients
Chocolate Cake:
Baking spray with flour
2cups(about 8 1/2 oz.
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)all-purpose flour
2cupsgranulated sugar
3/4cup(about 2 1/2 oz.
)unsalted butter, softened
7 1/2cups(about 24 oz.
)sifted powdered sugar
2cups(about 6 1/2 oz.
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Divide batter evenly among 3 cake pans (about 2 cups each).
Let cakes cool completely in cake pans on a wire rack, 35 to 40 minutes.
Finish Chocolate Buttercream:
With mixer running on lowest setting, add vanilla and salt.
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Assemble cake:
To assemble, remove cooled cakes from cake pans, and discard parchment paper.
If necessary, slightly trim tops of each cake layer to create a flat surface.
Spoon 3/4 cup Chocolate Buttercream into a piping bag fitted with desired piping tip; set aside for decorating.
Place 1 cake layer, top side up, on a plate or cake stand.
Top with second cake layer, and repeat process with 1 1/4 cups Chocolate Buttercream.
Frost cake sides:
Top with third cake layer, top side down.
Spread remaining Chocolate Buttercream evenly over top and sides of cake.
Decorate cake:
Pipe reserved 3/4 cup Chocolate Buttercream onto Chocolate Cake, and decorate as desired.
Garnish with sprinkles, and serve.
