Death by Chocolate Cake: A Decadent Delight for Any Occasion

If you’re a true chocolate lover, this cake is bound to be your new favorite. Whether it’s a special occasion or you’re simply in the mood for something rich and indulgent, Death by Chocolate Cake is the perfect choice. It’s moist, decadent, and incredibly satisfying, with a twist—this recipe doesn’t call for eggs! The result is a cake that stays wonderfully moist without drying out, making it a hit every time.

This recipe is one straight from my mom’s recipe box, and it’s been a family favorite for years. If you want to surprise your friends or loved ones with a show-stopping dessert, this is it. So, let’s dive into the details!

Ingredients:

Cake:

  • 3 cups flour
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • ½ cup cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ¾ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 cups cold water
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 Tbsp white vinegar

Icing:

  • 1 pint heavy whipping cream
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 3.5 oz chocolate pudding mix

Ganache:

  • 1 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Instructions:

For the Cake:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. This gives your cake the perfect temperature to bake evenly and rise beautifully.
  2. Sift the dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, cocoa powder, and salt. Sifting ensures the ingredients blend together smoothly, which is key for a light and fluffy cake texture.
  3. Add the wet ingredients: Pour in the oil, cold water, vanilla extract, and vinegar. The vinegar works its magic in combination with the baking soda to make the cake incredibly moist.
  4. Mix well: Stir the mixture until all the ingredients are combined into a smooth batter. Don’t overmix, just combine until there are no dry pockets of flour.
  5. Prepare the cake pans: Spray two round cake pans with cooking spray. Divide the batter evenly between the two pans, ensuring each gets a fair share of the chocolatey goodness.
  6. Bake for 30 minutes: Place the pans in the oven and bake for 30 minutes. You can check if the cake is done by inserting a toothpick in the center—if it comes out clean, your cake is ready.
  7. Let the cakes cool: Allow the cakes to cool completely before icing. Patience here is key, as it helps the icing set better.

For the Icing:

  1. Whip the cream: In a stand mixer, combine the heavy whipping cream and powdered sugar. Using the whisk attachment, whip the cream on medium speed, gradually increasing to high. After 2-3 minutes, you should see soft peaks form.
  2. Add the chocolate pudding mix: Sprinkle the pudding mix over the whipped cream and continue mixing at medium-high speed for about 45 seconds to 1 minute. The mixture will thicken, forming stiff peaks.
  3. Fold and finish: Stop the mixer and gently fold the whipped icing with a spatula, scraping the sides and bottom to ensure the pudding mix is fully incorporated and no clumps remain.

For the Ganache:

  1. Prepare the chocolate: Place the semi-sweet chocolate chips in a heatproof glass bowl.
  2. Heat the cream: In a small saucepan, heat the heavy whipping cream over medium heat. You’ll want to see small bubbles forming around the edges and a slight skim of cream on top.
  3. Make the ganache: Pour the heated cream over the chocolate chips. Let it sit for a minute to soften the chocolate, then whisk until smooth and creamy. This ganache is what brings the cake to the next level!

Cake Assembly:

  1. Ice the cake: Start by icing the middle layer of the cake and sides with the whipped chocolate icing. Build up the icing around the top edge to create a “pool” for the ganache to rest in.
  2. Chill for 20 minutes: Place the iced cake in the fridge for about 20 minutes to allow the icing to firm up slightly before pouring the ganache on top.
  3. Pour the ganache: Once chilled, pour the smooth ganache generously over the top of the cake, filling the pool you’ve created with icing.
  4. Let the cake cool: Allow the ganache to set and cool completely before serving. This will give the ganache the perfect shiny finish!

Final Thoughts:

This Death by Chocolate Cake is a true showstopper that will leave everyone craving more. The richness of the cake, paired with the creamy icing and luxurious ganache, is a chocolate lover’s dream. Plus, the absence of eggs keeps it moist and tender, unlike many cakes that tend to dry out.

Serve it at birthdays, holidays, or whenever you want to make a special occasion even sweeter. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it will be the first cake you reach for on any occasion!

Happy baking, and enjoy every sinful bite of this chocolate delight!