Cold Chocolate Fudge Cake
A quick and indulgent Cold Chocolate Fudge Cake perfect for chocoholics craving a rich, creamy dessert made with simple pantry staples, no complicated steps, and ready in under an hour. It features moist cake layers topped with a luscious, velvety fudge filling, chilled to a perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes (including chilling)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking and chilling
- Cuisine: International
- Diet: Gluten Free (with gluten-free flour substitute)
Cake Base Ingredients
- 6 oz good-quality dark chocolate
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (gluten-free flour blend can be used for gluten-free version)
- 3 large eggs
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Fudge Filling Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream (can substitute with full-fat coconut milk or evaporated milk)
- 6 oz chopped dark chocolate
Optional Variations and Add-ins
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (for nutty crunch)
- Pinch of chili powder or cinnamon (for spicy kick)
- 2 tbsp raspberry or cherry jam (for fruit infusion)
- Additional cream or condensed milk (for extra gooey texture)
- Dairy-free chocolate and coconut cream (for vegan/dairy-free option)
- Prepare the Cake Base: Melt the dark chocolate and unsalted butter together gently until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Carefully fold in the cocoa powder and all-purpose flour. Combine the melted chocolate mixture with the batter, then incorporate the vanilla extract last to balance the flavor.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into a lined or greased 8-inch round pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes until the cake is set but still moist inside. Remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool completely to room temperature before adding the fudge layer.
- Make the Fudge Filling: While the cake cools, heat the heavy cream until just warm. Stir the chopped dark chocolate into the warm cream until completely melted and velvety. Stir continuously to ensure a glossy finish with no lumps. Add any optional mix-ins like nuts, spices, or jams as desired.
- Assemble the Cold Chocolate Fudge Cake: Spread the prepared fudge filling evenly over the cooled cake base. Chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least one hour to allow the fudge to set into a luscious, firm layer that melts in the mouth.
Notes
- Use high-quality dark chocolate for the best fudginess and rich flavor.
- Do not overbake the cake; slightly underbaking keeps it moist for perfect fudge layering.
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature to blend smoothly and avoid lumps.
- Chill the cake long enough in the fridge for clean slicing and ideal texture.
- Try topping with sea salt flakes, grated chocolate curls, edible gold dust, or fresh berries for added complexity.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of cake)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: cold chocolate cake, fudge cake, no-bake fudge topping, easy chocolate dessert, rich chocolate cake, quick chocolate dessert