Chocolate Mud Cake

Helene

(10)

This chocolate mud cake is exceptionally moist and insanely delicious. The chocolate ganache frosting is the key to effortlessly adding decoration and creating a beautiful dessert to impress your guests.

chocolate mud cake with a slicer

This chocolate mud cake is a simple chocolate cake recipe, easy to bake but with a WOW factor thanks to the topping. Whether you’re looking for an easy birthday cake or everyday desserts, this chocolate cake will be a big win.

The combination of semi-sweet chocolate and cocoa powder gives this chocolate mud cake an intense chocolate flavor. The recipe features a chocolate cake with oil to provide the best texture. This cake is rich, decadent, and tastes divine.

chocolate mud cake with chocolate ganache

Why you’ll love this Chocolate Mud Cake 

  • An easy and simple moist chocolate cake recipe
  • One layer chocolate cake to keep it easy and quick
  • A chocolate cake with chocolate ganache: big win for chocolate lovers
  • Customizable: You can customize this Chocolate Mud Cake by adding any of your favorite topping: crushed nuts, coconut flakes, sprinkles, or berries.
  • It can be a simple birthday cake or an afternoon tea cake.

Note about the ingredients 

Here are precisions for some ingredients.

Chocolate Mud Cake:

  • Semi-sweet chocolate: 50 to 60% cocoa content for the ultimate chocolatey flavour
  • Dutch Process Cocoa
  • Milk: I use 2% fat milk. You can use whole milk.
  • Vegetable oil like canola oil: it produces this moist chocolate cake.
  • Egg: large egg, about 55g each
  • Espresso powder: optional but enhance the chocolate flavor

Chocolate Ganache:

  • Chocolate: 40% cocoa content. If you can’t find chocolate with 40% cocoa content, make a mix: half milk chocolate with 30% cocoa content and half semi-sweet chocolate with 50% cocoa content
  • Heavy cream (=double cream) 30% milk fat
  • Unsalted butter
chocolate mud cake with rosette decoration

How to make the Chocolate Mud Cake

This chocolate Mud Cake is a 7-inch cake recipe.

Chocolate cake: It’s an easy one-bowl chocolate cake recipe: start to mix the dry ingredients. Then, add the wet ingredients. Finally, mix and bake the cake.

Ganache: Heat the chocolate and half of the heavy cream over a double boiler. Using a spatula, stir until the chocolate is completely melted. Add the butter and stir until completely melted. Remove from the heat and add the remaining heavy cream. Stir until fully incorporated. Cover and place in the fridge for 1 to 2 hours until the ganache is set.

Full instructions are at the bottom of the page. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.

FAQs 

How do I store the Chocolate Mud Cake?

If it’s not too hot, store the chocolate cake at room temperature under a cake dome for up to 1 day. After that, place it in the refrigerator and keep it for up to 4 days.

Can I make it ahead?

Yes, prepare the chocolate cake up to 2 days in advance. When fully cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in the fridge.

Prepare the ganache 1 day in advance.

Can I freeze this Chocolate Mud Cake?

Yes, preferably the cake only, without the topping. When fully cooled, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Can I bake it in an 8-inch cake pan?

Yes, just bear in mind, the cake will be thinner and you may need to adjust the cooking time. The chocolate ganache should be enough as I had a bit of leftover.

Tips

  • Ingredients at room temperature.
  • Use a wet cake strip around the cake pan. It helps the cake bake more evenly and keeps the edges of your cakes soft.
  • Ensure the cake is completely cooled before adding the topping.
  • When heating the chocolate and heavy cream to make the ganache, use a spatula, not a whisk as we don’t want to incorporate air.
  • If the ganache is too firm, place it in a microwave in a 5-10-second burst until you reach the right consistency. It should be soft enough to pipe but not too soft to hold the shape.
slice of chocolate mud cake in white plate

Try these recipes, next:

If you tried this Chocolate Mud Cake or any recipe on the blog, let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment below.

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Chocolate Mud Cake

  • Prep time: 15 minutes
  • Cook time: 1 hour
  • Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Serves: 6

This chocolate mud cake is exceptionally moist and insanely delicious. The chocolate ganache frosting is the key to effortlessly adding decoration and creating a beautiful dessert to impress your guests.

Ingredients

Chocolate Mud Cake

  • 50 g (1.76 oz) semi-sweet chocolate, 50% cocoa content
  • 100 g (3/4 cup + 1 tablespoon ) all-purpose flour
  • 50 g (1/2 cup) Dutch process cocoa
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon espresso powder, optional
  • 100 g (1/2 cup) caster sugar
  • 50 g (1/4 cup -packed) light brown sugar
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 120 ml (1/2 cup) milk
  • 80 ml (1/3 cup + 2 tbsp) vegetable oil, neutral flavor
  • 1 teaspoon, vanilla extract

Chocolate Ganache

  • 125 g (4.4 oz) chocolate, finely chopped, 40% cocoa content
  • 95 ml (1/3 cup + 1 tbsp) heavy cream (=double cream)
  • 25 g (2 tbsp) unsalted butter, diced

Method

Chocolate Mud Cake

  • 1)

    Preheat the oven to 165°C (330F), fan off. Line a 7-inch (18cm) round cake pan with baking paper or grease with baking spray.

  • 2)

    Chop the chocolate finely and place it in a microwave-proof bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each time. Once the chocolate is almost melted, stop microwave and stir the chocolate until it is completely smooth. Set aside

  • 3)

    In a large bowl, sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and espresso powder (if using). Add the caster sugar, brown sugar, and salt. Whisk until combined.

  • 4)

    Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients: eggs, milk, oil, vanilla, and melted chocolate. Mix until combined but do not over-mix.

  • 5)

    Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan. Bake for 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

    Note: I place wet cake strips around the pans. It helps keep the sides moist and limits the dome on the top, but it usually takes 7 to 10 extra minutes to bake the cakes. So, start to monitor the cake after 45 minutes of baking.

  • 6)

    Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, transfer to a cooling rack. Allow it to cool completely.

Chocolate Ganache

  • 1)

    Prepare a double boiler with a bit of water to simmer in a saucepan.

  • 2)

    Place the chocolate and half of the heavy cream in a bowl. Heat over the simmering water. Make sure the water does not touch the bottom of the bowl. With a flexible spatula, constantly stir until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.

  • 3)

    Add the butter and stir until completely melted.

  • 4)

    Remove from the heat and add the remaining heavy cream. Stir until fully incorporated.

  • 5)

    Transfer to a bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, and place in the fridge for 1 to 2 hours until the ganache is set. It should be firm enough to hold the shape but smooth enough to pipe on the cake.

    Note: If the ganache is too firm, place it in a microwave in a 5-10-second burst until you reach the right consistency.

Assembly

  • 1)

    Proceed when the cake is fully cooled. Level the cake if needed with a serrated knife.

    Place the chocolate ganache in a piping bag fitted with a closed star piping tip, pipe a large rosette, or any decorations you desire.

Notes

– Baking spoons, US/UK standard size : teaspoon 5ml / tablespoon: 15ml / cup: 240ml

– I used an Aluminum Cake Pan for this recipe.

– Storage: at room temperature under a cake dome for up to 1 day. After that, place it in the refrigerator and keep it for up to 4 days.

– I have some leftovers with the chocolate ganache. You can serve it with the cake. If you opt for another decoration like blobs, you should have just enough ganache.

– Scroll back to read tips and frequently asked questions within the blog post that you might find helpful

10 Comments

  • Colleen

    September 20, 2022 at 11:26 am

    This cake looks amazing, especially the ganache topping. I can’t wait to make it for my chocolate fanatic friend. Thank you.

  • Heather

    September 20, 2022 at 2:20 pm

    Love how simple, moist, and fudgy this chocolate mud cake is! The frosting was lovely on top as well.

  • Marie

    September 21, 2022 at 1:18 pm

    This is a textbook-perfect chocolate cake! The crumb of the cake is super fine and moist and the ganache is so good! Loved how you piped the ganache over the cake. It looks like chocolatey ribbons. Gorgeous!

  • megane

    September 22, 2022 at 6:47 pm

    We just loved this cake so much. Moist and turned out perfect . Thanks for a great recipe.

  • Tammy

    September 23, 2022 at 10:42 am

    This cake looks SO beautiful! What a fabulous dessert. I love how decadent and rich it is with that beautiful ganache.

  • Veronika

    September 24, 2022 at 12:43 pm

    This recipe is the winner! It’s so rich and moist, my hubby ate 3 slices! Going to save the recipe and make it next week for a family dinner party 😉

  • Tristin

    September 24, 2022 at 10:13 pm

    This cake recipe caught my eye (I mean look at that frosting) and I just knew I had to make it! Husband raved about it for days. Our new favorite chocolate cake!

  • Amy

    September 25, 2022 at 2:28 pm

    Super moist and so chocolatey! This is our family’s new favorite chocolate cake. I made it for a dinner party and it was a hit!

  • Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer

    September 25, 2022 at 3:53 pm

    WOW! That looks like heaven! I love the frosting swirl on top! This is on the menu this week! I might even share this too 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing!

  • Enri Lemoine

    September 25, 2022 at 8:54 pm

    Dear Helene, I’m so delighted that I found your blog. I’ve spent hours reading every blog post and recipe. This chocolate cake got me. It’s going to be my son’s Tomás birthday key. He’s a chocolate lover, and he’ll be 19 soon. Thanks for the inspiration.

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