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Midnight Fudge Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 124 reviews

This rich and indulgent Midnight Fudge Cake features a moist, deeply chocolatey cake paired with a luscious fudge frosting. Perfect for chocolate lovers, it’s layered with creamy cocoa frosting and garnished with chocolate shavings, fresh berries, and crunchy nuts, making it a stunning dessert for any special occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • ½ cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup boiling water

Frosting Ingredients

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Decoration

  • Chocolate shavings
  • Fresh berries (raspberries, strawberries)
  • Chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and prepare pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
  3. Mix wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  4. Combine wet and dry: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cake tender.
  5. Add boiling water: Carefully pour the boiling water into the batter and mix on low speed until the batter is smooth and thin, which helps achieve a moist texture.
  6. Divide and bake: Evenly divide the batter between the prepared cake pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
  7. Cool cakes: Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then invert them onto a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
  8. Prepare fudge frosting: In a large bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa powder, mixing on low speed until incorporated.
  9. Add liquids to frosting: Gradually pour in the milk and vanilla extract, mixing on medium speed until smooth and creamy. Add a pinch of salt to balance sweetness and enhance chocolate flavor. Beat for an additional 2-3 minutes until frosting is light and fluffy.
  10. Level cakes: If the cakes have domed tops, use a serrated knife to level them for an even frosting surface.
  11. Assemble the cake: Place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand. Spread a generous layer of fudge frosting evenly over the top.
  12. Add second layer and frost: Carefully place the second cake layer on top, then frost the top and sides of the entire cake with the remaining fudge frosting.
  13. Decorate: Garnish the cake with chocolate shavings, fresh berries, and chopped nuts for added texture and visual appeal.
  14. Chill before serving: Refrigerate the finished cake for at least 30 minutes to set the frosting and enhance flavors before serving.

Notes

  • Ensure not to overmix the batter once wet and dry ingredients are combined to keep the cake tender.
  • Boiling water helps intensify the cocoa flavor and creates a moist texture.
  • Leveling the cake layers results in a more professional-looking finish.
  • Refrigeration helps the frosting set and makes slicing cleaner.
  • Use fresh berries and chopped nuts to add contrast in texture and flavor.

Keywords: Midnight Fudge Cake, Chocolate Cake, Fudge Frosting, Layer Cake, Chocolate Dessert

Find it online: https://stirringwithstella.com/midnight-fudge-cake-recipe-2/