Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Filling
An intensely chocolatey cake featuring a creamy cream cheese filling, perfect for any celebration or as a showstopper dessert.
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Cake
- 1.75 cups All-Purpose Flour Structural foundation of the cake.
- 0.75 cups Unsweetened Cocoa Powder Sifted for a smooth batter.
- 2 cups Granulated Sugar Balances the bitterness of the cocoa.
- 1.5 tsp Baking Powder Leavening agent for rise.
- 1.5 tsp Baking Soda Leavening agent for rise.
- 1 cup Buttermilk Creates a tender, moist crumb.
- 0.5 cups Vegetable Oil Moisture component for cake.
- 1 cup Hot Coffee Enhances chocolate flavor.
For the Cream Cheese Filling
- 8 oz Cream Cheese Must be softened to room temperature.
- 0.5 cups Sugar Stabilizes the filling.
- 1 large Egg Helps to bind the filling.
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract Provides flavor.
For the Optional Ganache
- 1 cup Heavy Cream For glossy finish.
- 1 cup Dark Chocolate Finely chopped for ganache.
- 1 tbsp Butter Adds shine to the ganache.
Instructions
Preparing the Creamy Center
- Beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Add sugar, egg, and vanilla, mixing until creamy.
- Set aside the mixture for later.
Preparing the Chocolate Batter
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare two 9-inch round cake pans.
- Sift together flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Mix in eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla until smooth.
- Gradually stir in hot coffee until well combined.
Assembling the Cake
- Pour one-third of the batter into the prepared pans.
- Spoon the cream cheese filling into the center, avoiding the edges.
- Cover the filling with the remaining batter.
Baking and Cooling
- Bake for 30–35 minutes, using a toothpick to check for doneness.
- Allow cakes to cool completely in the pans.
Making the Ganache
- Heat heavy cream until simmering, then pour over chopped chocolate.
- Let sit for two minutes, then whisk until smooth.
- Stir in butter and pour over the cooled cake.
- Allow ganache to set for 15–30 minutes.
Notes
Chill the cake before slicing for clean cuts. Serves well with fresh raspberries or vanilla bean ice cream. Store leftovers in the refrigerator due to the cream cheese filling.