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This cake is so deep and rich with chocolate. This Molten Chocolate Cake is a spin on the Texas sheet cake. The frosting is molten. It literally melts over the cake. It is so cool. Not only has the topping formed on top of the cake but it is a sauce as well. You can actually have frosting and dip your cake into more chocolate. It is heaven.
Molten Chocolate Cake
Now, I wonder. Is chocolate in my DNA or is it a developed taste acquired from my mom baking me chocolate as a kid. My mom loves chocolate and so do I. I mean, I really love it. I remember as a kid, for a big treat, my mom would make chocolate mousse. But she did one better than making us (my twin and me) a dessert. She made extra that we would have for breakfast. That’s right breakfast. Now today, that may be too rich. But when I was a kid, it was the perfect start to my day.
You get the idea? I like chocolate. This Molten Chocolate Cake, may not be mousse, but it is super rich. If you like chocolate, this is your dessert. The concept was not what I started out to make or at least as I understood it. The result is definitely a recipe to repeat.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 sticks unsalted butter
- 4 heaping tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- For the Frosting
- 1 3/4 sticks unsalted butter
- 4 heaping tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 6 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 pound (minus 1/2 cup) confectioners' sugar
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Spray an 18x13 sheet cake pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt.
- In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt butter.
- Once the butter is melted, whisk in cocoa powder until thoroughly combined.
- Add boiling water and turn up the heat to medium.
- Allow mixture to boil for 30 seconds and immediately turn off the heat.
- Pour the cocoa/butter mixture over flour mixture, and stir lightly to cool.
- Turn up the heat to medium. Allow mixture to boil for 30 seconds and immediately turn off the heat.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, eggs, baking soda, and vanilla.
- Stir buttermilk mixture into chocolate mixture and mix well.
- Pour into a baking tray and bake for 20 minutes.
- While cake is baking, make the frosting.
- In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Once the butter is melted, whisk in cocoa powder until thoroughly combined.
- Add milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar whisking until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Pour over warm cake using an spatula to spread the frosting all over the cake.
- Serve and enjoy!
Cake Batter in Baking Tray
While the cake is baking, prepare the chocolate topping/ganache or whatever you want to call this melting goodness. Mix the ingredients including the butter and cocoa and melt it on the stovetop.
Butter & Cocoa Added
Chocolate Melted
The luscious topping is poured on the cake before it is put in the fridge.
Initial Topping Being Added
Topping Being Added
Look at how the chocolate both tops the cake and permeates the cake. There is plenty on the plate to mop up with the cake.
Plated
This is so clever! I love a saucy piece of cake 😉
Clever maybe. But tasty, for sure.
I love how dark it is. I’m a huge chocolate lover myself!
This was a chocolate lovers cake.
I like my chocolate really, really dark. 🙂
Me Too. Then you will like this recipe.
How decadent does this look?!?! Yum!! Thanks for sharing!!
Decadent it is!
Molten chocolate is probably my favourite dessert, but I have never had the cake version, will have to try this!
A little spin on the classic. I need to make the original version.
Chocolate for breakfast! That’s my kind of mom!
sharing this all over, it’s wonderfully chocolatey and simple enough, I’ll be sure to make this cake.
Thank you for the kind words Noel.
Dear Peter, this cake looks decadent and sinfully delicious. I know I would love it.
My chocolate cravings have definitely kicked in after seeing the images of this molten cake Peter.. so decadent and SO delicious.
This cake is a chocolate lovers dream!! I cannot wait to try this 🙂
Please let me know if you do.
This is one incredible looking cake!! Chocolate perfection for sure! Beautiful job as always!
You are so kind Angela.
Wow fab recipe for Molten Chocolate Cake, you make me want to crank that oven of mine up on this beautiful sunny day here in Florida!
Heidy, go for it. Chocolate is awesome any time of year.
All right then. Chocolate and more chocolate and I am a happy camper. LOVE!!
So was I.
You and I are on the same chocolate wavelength! This looks amazing – I’m sure one piece is enough, but I’d likely ask for a second 🙂
You are right on. It was hard to stop at 1 piece.
Oh my. This looks like a chocolate lovers dream. That would be me.
That seems to be a common theme.
decadence. total decadence.
Great choice of words.
As I sit here with my lonely cup of coffee and nothing to go with it, I’m drooling and wishing I had a slice of this cake. Delicious.
You are so funny Janette.