Chocolate Fudge Cake—Moist, Rich, and Decadently Dark
Chocolate fudge cake isn’t just a dessert—it’s an experience. It’s deep, dark, and intensely chocolatey with a dense, moist crumb that practically melts on your tongue. Every forkful is packed with fudge-like texture, rich cocoa flavor, and just enough sweetness to make your eyes close in satisfaction. Whether you’re baking for a birthday, a dinner party, or just because your soul needs chocolate, this cake is guaranteed to satisfy.
It’s not your typical fluffy cake—it’s thicker, creamier, and more indulgent, with a glossy chocolate ganache that takes it over the top. Serve it warm or chilled, alone or with a scoop of ice cream, and get ready to fall in love with your new go-to chocolate dessert.
Why You’ll Crave This Chocolate Fudge Cake
It’s soft and fudgy in the center, slightly crisp around the edges, and completely soaked in chocolate from the inside out. Unlike dry cakes that fall flat, this one is dense and tender thanks to sour cream, melted butter, and a combination of cocoa and hot coffee for depth. The frosting is a silky ganache made with real chocolate and heavy cream—it sets into the perfect glossy layer you’ll want to lick from the spoon. This cake tastes like a warm brownie, a molten lava cake, and a bakery treat all rolled into one.
Ingredients
For the Cake
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-processed preferred)
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ½ cup sour cream
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup hot coffee or hot water
For the Ganache
• 1 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• Optional: pinch of salt or splash of vanilla
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9-inch round or square cake pan with parchment.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, mix melted butter with both sugars until smooth.
- Add eggs one at a time, then stir in sour cream and vanilla.
- Pour dry ingredients into wet and mix until just combined.
- Slowly stir in hot coffee or water until batter is smooth and glossy.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out with moist crumbs.
- Let cake cool completely in the pan before frosting.
- For ganache, heat heavy cream in a saucepan until just simmering.
- Pour over chocolate chips in a heat-safe bowl and let sit 2 minutes.
- Stir until smooth and glossy. Let cool slightly to thicken.
- Pour ganache over cooled cake and spread to the edges.
- Chill briefly to set, or serve warm and melty.
Tips for the Best Fudge Cake
Use good quality cocoa powder and real chocolate for the deepest flavor. Hot coffee enhances the chocolate but doesn’t leave a coffee taste—don’t skip it. Don’t overbake—check early and pull when the center is set but moist. Chill the ganache briefly if you want it thick, or pour warm if you like a drippy finish.
Variations
Add espresso powder to the batter for mocha flavor. Fold in chocolate chunks for double fudge cake. Top with berries, whipped cream, or flaky sea salt. Serve with vanilla ice cream and crushed nuts for a restaurant-style dessert.
Storage
Store cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5. The texture only gets fudgier with time. Freeze individual slices tightly wrapped for up to 2 months—thaw and warm for that fresh-from-the-oven feel.
Final Thoughts
This chocolate fudge cake is rich, velvety, and unapologetically indulgent. It’s everything a chocolate cake should be: moist, bold, and utterly satisfying. Whether you serve it at a party or eat it straight from the pan in your kitchen at midnight, one bite is all it takes to make this a forever favorite.
Stick around—every visit tastes better than the last at The Buttered Bliss.
