Whip Up Paula Deen’s Dreamy Chocolate Cake Recipe!

Chocolate cake whispers tales of pure decadence, transforming ordinary afternoons into blissful moments of indulgence.

Layers of rich, velvety batter promise an enchanting sensory journey through deep cocoa landscapes.

Silky textures dance with intense flavors, weaving a delectable narrative that captivates every taste bud.

Baking traditions merge with culinary passion, crafting a dessert that feels like a warm, comforting embrace.

Each slice tells a story of love, carefully mixed and lovingly baked to perfection.

Aromas waft through the kitchen, tempting everyone with their irresistible charm and nostalgic essence.

This chocolate masterpiece will become the star of your next gathering, leaving guests craving every last crumb.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 500 kcal

Servings: 8

All the Ingredients in Paula Deen’s Chocolate Cake

• Plain Flour: Choose unbleached flour for better texture and natural flavor.
• Caster Sugar: Look for fine, granulated sugar that dissolves easily in batter.
• Cocoa Powder: Select high-quality dark cocoa for intense chocolate richness.
• Baking Powder: Ensure it's fresh and not expired for proper cake rising.
• Bicarbonate of Soda: Check for recent purchase to guarantee maximum leavening power.

• Eggs: Pick fresh, room-temperature eggs for smoother batter integration.
• Milk: Use whole milk for richer, creamier cake texture.
• Vegetable Oil: Choose neutral-flavored oil like canola for consistent moisture.
• Vanilla Extract: Opt for pure extract over artificial for deeper flavor complexity.

• Plain Chocolate, Double Cream: Select high-percentage cocoa chocolate for robust, deep chocolate taste, and ensure cream is fresh and full-fat for silky smooth ganache.

Equipment Checklist for Paula Deen’s Chocolate Cake

• Electric Mixer or Whisk: Perfect for blending batter smoothly and eliminating any lumps.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Spacious container for combining dry and wet ingredients.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
• 2 Cake Pans (8-inch): Essential for creating even cake layers.
• Parchment Paper: Helps prevent cake from sticking to pan bottoms.
• Saucepan: Used for melting chocolate and cream for ganache.
• Skewer or Toothpick: Checks cake doneness by testing center.
• Palette Knife: Helps spread ganache evenly over cake layers.
• Serving Plate: Presents the final chocolate cake beautifully.
• Oven: Bakes cake layers to perfection at 350°F.

Baking Directions for Paula Deen’s Chocolate Cake

• Gather Baking Supplies

Warm up your oven to 350°F. Grab two cake pans and give them a quick spray of cooking oil. Pull out all your baking tools and get ready for chocolate magic.

• Whip Up the Batter

Toss dry ingredients into a big mixing bowl – flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder will create your chocolate base. Crack in some eggs, splash in milk, drizzle vegetable oil, and add a dash of vanilla. Blend everything until silky smooth using an electric mixer or whisk.

• Create Moisture Magic

Pour boiling water into your batter while stirring. Don’t worry when the mixture looks super runny – this is exactly how it should be! The water helps create an incredibly moist cake.

• Bake and Transform

Carefully divide batter between your prepared pans. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a skewer – it should come out clean when the cake is perfectly cooked.

• Craft Chocolate Ganache

Melt chocolate and cream together in a saucepan over low heat. Whisk until glossy and smooth. Let the ganache cool and thicken for a couple of hours until it’s spreadable.

• Build Your Decadent Dessert

Gently remove cakes from pans. Place first layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous layer of ganache on top. Carefully position second cake layer. Cover entire cake with remaining ganache, creating a rich chocolate masterpiece.

Helpful Tips and Flavor Additions for Paula Deen’s Chocolate Cake

• Boost Cake Moisture: Add an extra splash of milk or vegetable oil to keep the cake incredibly soft and tender, preventing any dry textures.
• Chocolate Intensity Hack: Swap regular cocoa powder with dark or Dutch-processed cocoa for a deeper, more robust chocolate flavor that will make taste buds dance.
• Ganache Transformation Tricks: Experiment with flavor additions like espresso powder, orange zest, or a dash of rum to elevate the chocolate ganache from simple to spectacular.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Wrap cooled cake layers in plastic wrap and store in the freezer for up to a month, allowing you to prepare components in advance and reduce day-of stress.

Serving Notes for Paula Deen’s Chocolate Cake

• Serve with Creamy Companions: Pair each slice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to enhance the chocolate's rich flavor and add a delightful cool contrast.
• Create Drool-Worthy Garnishes: Sprinkle chocolate shavings, crushed nuts, or colorful edible flowers on top to make the cake look Instagram-worthy and add extra texture and visual appeal.
• Craft Perfect Beverage Pairings: Enjoy alongside a steaming mug of coffee, hot chocolate, or a glass of cold milk to complement the cake's deep chocolate notes and cleanse the palate between bites.
• Design Elegant Presentation: Place the cake on a beautiful cake stand, dust with powdered sugar, and slice carefully to showcase the moist layers and glossy chocolate ganache for a stunning dessert centerpiece.

Make-Ahead and Freezing Advice for Paula Deen’s Chocolate Cake

• Preserve Freshness: Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, keeping it moist and delectable.
• Refrigerate Wisely: Cover the cake loosely with plastic wrap or place in a sealed container in the refrigerator to extend its life up to 5-7 days. Remove 30 minutes before serving to restore room temperature texture.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap individual cake slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze up to 2-3 months for a convenient dessert emergency. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
• Ganache Care: Keep ganache-covered cake in a cool, dry place. If temperatures rise above 70°F, refrigerate to prevent melting and maintain its perfect glossy finish.

Sinful Chocolate Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Rich chocolate cake from Paula Deen combines classic Southern baking with indulgent flavor. Moist layers and creamy frosting create a memorable dessert perfect for celebrations.

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Ingredients

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• 2 free-range eggs
• 350 g (12.5 oz) caster sugar
• 200 g (7 oz) plain chocolate
• 225 g (8 oz) plain flour
• 85 g (3 oz) cocoa powder
• 250 ml (9 fl oz) milk
• 250 ml (9 fl oz) boiling water
• 200 ml (7 fl oz) double cream
• 125 ml (4.5 fl oz) vegetable oil
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1.5 tsp baking powder
• 1.5 tsp bicarbonate of soda

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F), with fan setting at 160°C. Meticulously grease and line two 20-centimeter round cake tins with parchment paper.
2. Batter Creation: In a large mixing bowl, amalgamate dry ingredients (plain flour, caster sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda). Vigorously incorporate eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract, whisking until achieving a silky-smooth consistency.
3. Liquid Integration: Gently stream boiling water into the batter, stirring continuously. Embrace the unusually thin texture as a crucial element for the cake’s ultimate moisture and depth.
4. Baking Process: Evenly distribute batter between prepared tins. Slide into preheated oven and bake for 25-35 minutes. Validate doneness by inserting a skewer—it should emerge pristine and free from wet batter.
5. Cooling and Ganache Preparation: Allow cakes to cool completely within tins. Simultaneously, craft chocolate ganache by delicately melting plain chocolate and double cream in a saucepan over low heat. Whisk until achieving a glossy, seamless texture. Let ganache cool and thicken for 1-2 hours.
6. Assembly and Finishing: Carefully extract cakes from tins. Transfer first layer to serving plate, lavishly spread ganache. Crown with second cake layer, then artfully coat entire cake with remaining ganache, ensuring an impeccably smooth finish.

Notes

• Check Cake Consistency: Thin batter is perfectly normal and ensures a moist, tender chocolate cake texture.
• Temperature Precision: Use exact oven settings (180°C/350°F) for consistent baking results and optimal cake rise.
• Cooling Technique: Allow cakes to cool completely inside tins to prevent structural damage and maintain cake integrity.
• Ganache Perfection: Let chocolate ganache cool and thicken for 1-2 hours to achieve ideal spreadable consistency for smooth cake decoration.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: British

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 500
• Sugar: 60 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 70 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg