If you’re craving a dessert that is deeply chocolaty, incredibly moist, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, this chocolate fudge cake is about to become your new go-to treat. Unlike regular chocolate cakes, a true fudge cake is dense, rich, and unapologetically indulgent — the kind of dessert you choose when only the best chocolate desserts will do. Whether you’re planning a family gathering, celebrating a birthday, or simply exploring new chocolate dishes to bake at home, this recipe guarantees bakery-level results with surprisingly simple steps.
This recipe is perfect for anyone who loves cake recipes easy homemade, and it’s especially great if you’re looking for quick recipes snacks that still taste luxurious and impressive. The combination of cocoa powder, dark chocolate, and a silky fudge frosting creates a dessert that chocolate lovers will dream about. If you’re a fan of tasty baking, keep this recipe bookmarked — you’ll return to it again and again.
Why You Will Love This Chocolate Fudge Cake
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Ultra-moist, dense, and fudgy texture
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Ingredients are simple and found in every pantry
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Perfect for parties, celebrations, or cozy nights in
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Rich dark chocolate flavor that’s pure heaven
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Great for anyone who loves sweet dishes recipes and homemade chocolate desserts
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Beginner-friendly — minimal baking experience required
Ingredients You’ll Need
This chocolate fudge cake uses a combination of dry ingredients, melted chocolate, and yogurt or buttermilk to achieve its iconic fudgy consistency.
For the Cake:
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1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
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¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
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1 ½ cups sugar
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1 tsp baking soda
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½ tsp baking powder
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½ tsp salt
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2 large eggs
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½ cup vegetable oil
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1 cup buttermilk or yogurt
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2 tsp vanilla extract
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½ cup hot water or hot coffee (enhances chocolate flavor)
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100g melted dark chocolate (for added richness)
For the Fudge Frosting:
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200g dark chocolate
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½ cup heavy cream
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4 tbsp butter
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1 tsp vanilla extract
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Pinch of salt
This frosting is what makes this one of the most irresistible chocolate fudge cake recipes ever — silky, glossy, and intensely chocolaty.
How to Make Chocolate Fudge Cake (Step-by-Step)
1. Prepare Your Pan
Grease and line a round or square 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together:
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flour
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cocoa powder
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sugar
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baking soda
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baking powder
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salt
This creates the dry base for your cake.
3. Add the Wet Ingredients
Add eggs, oil, vanilla, and buttermilk. Mix until smooth but do not over-beat. The batter should be thick and glossy.
4. Add the Hot Liquid
Slowly pour in the hot water or hot coffee while stirring. This step “blooms” the cocoa and makes the cake extra rich. Finally, fold in melted dark chocolate.
5. Bake
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30–38 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs (not completely clean).
6. Let It Cool
Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting. A slightly warm cake will melt the frosting — which you don’t want for this recipe.
7. Make the Fudge Frosting
In a saucepan over low heat, melt:
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dark chocolate
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cream
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butter
Stir until smooth, glossy, and fudgy. Add vanilla and a pinch of salt. Let it cool slightly to thicken.
8. Frost the Cake
Spread the fudge frosting generously over the cooled cake, smoothing the top and sides. The thicker the layer, the fudgier the final dessert!
Tips for the Best Chocolate Fudge Cake
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Use dark chocolate for maximum depth of flavor
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Don’t skip the hot coffee or water — it enhances the cocoa
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For an ultra-moist cake, avoid overbaking
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Use room-temperature eggs for a smoother batter
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Chill the cake 30 minutes after frosting for cleaner slices
This recipe is ideal for anyone looking for indulgent chocolate dessert recipes that still remain easy and straightforward to make.
Variations You Can Try
Here are fun ideas for turning your basic fudge cake into something even more special:
1. Nutty Fudge Cake
Add crushed walnuts, pecans, or almonds to the batter.
2. Salted Caramel Fudge Cake
Drizzle salted caramel between layers or on top.
3. Double Chocolate Chip Cake
Fold chocolate chips into the batter for extra gooey pockets.
4. Raspberry Fudge Cake
Add fresh raspberries between cake and frosting for a fruity contrast.
These twists make your cake stand out while still keeping the essence of a classic chocolate fudge cake.
Storage Instructions
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Room Temperature: 2 days in an airtight container
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Refrigerator: Up to 5 days
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Freezer: Freeze slices for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge for best texture.
The dense, moist crumb makes this cake perfect for preparing in advance, especially when planning celebrations or gatherings.
⭐ Final Thoughts
If you love rich, indulgent, and deeply satisfying desserts, this chocolate fudge cake will become a favorite in your baking rotation. It strikes the perfect balance between decadent and approachable, making it ideal for beginners and seasoned bakers alike. With its smooth fudge frosting and tender crumb, it stands proudly among the best chocolate desserts and is proof that homemade treats can be just as luxurious as bakery cakes.
chocolate fudge cake
Instructions
- Cake Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 large eggs (room temperature)
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk or plain yogurt
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup hot water or hot coffee
- 100g melted dark chocolate
- Fudge Frosting
- 200g dark chocolate
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- For the Cake
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line an 8-inch round or square cake pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the eggs, oil, vanilla, and buttermilk. Mix until smooth and well combined — do not overmix.
- Slowly pour in the hot water or coffee, stirring continuously until the batter becomes glossy.
- Add the melted dark chocolate and fold gently.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 30–38 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs (not fully clean).
- Let the cake cool completely before frosting.
- For the Fudge Frosting
- In a saucepan over low heat, melt together the dark chocolate, heavy cream, and butter, stirring until smooth.
- Remove from heat and mix in the vanilla and salt.
- Allow the frosting to cool for 10–15 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Spread the fudge frosting generously over the cooled cake.
Notes
