The Ultimate Dark Chocolate Cake
Nothing says “Happy Birthday” quite like a decadent, dark chocolate cake smothered in cream cheese frosting.
Prep Time45 minutes mins
Cook Time25 minutes mins
Total Time1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 16 servings
Dark Chocolate Cake
- ¾ c. butter softened
- 1 c. brown sugar
- 1 c. white sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1 t. vanilla
- 1 1/3 c. white rice flour
- 3/4 c. tapioca starch
- 1 t. xanthan gum
- Or 2 c. all purpose GF (with xanthan gum / non-GF flour instead of the above 3 ingredients)
- ¾ c. cocoa powder dark
- 1 ½ t. baking soda
- ½ t. salt
- 1 ½ c. buttermilk
- 1/4 c. prepared coffee
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 T. butter melted
- 4 T. cream cheese
- 1 t. vanilla
- 6 c. powdered sugar
- 2-3 T. milk
For the Dark Chocolate Cake:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine butter and sugars in stand mixer (or in a bowl with an electric mixer) and cream on medium high until light and fluffy. About 3-4 minutes. Add in eggs, one at a time, and cream more until well combined. About another 2 minutes. Add in vanilla.
Combine white rice flour, tapioca starch, xanthan gum, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl and toss to combine.
Alternatively add in dry mixture and buttermilk/coffee, starting and ending with the dry mixture.
Grease 2 9-inch round baking pans with butter or non-stick cooking spray and divide batter evenly among them.
Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean.
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
Combine 4 T. butter and cream cheese. Cream until well mixed. Add vanilla and mix well.
Alternatively add powdered sugar and milk until all ingredients have been used.
Remove cooked cakes from pans to allow for quicker cooling once they have been out of the oven for at least 10 minutes.
To assemble cake, place a dollop of frosting on the plate your are placing it on. Put the first layer down. Spread about 1/3 of the frosting mixture over the first layer. Add in 3-4 toothpicks to allow for greater stability. Place second cake layer on top of the first frosted layer. Completely frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining frosting.
Optional: Dust with cocoa powder and garnish with chocolate shreds.
Calories: 701kcal | Carbohydrates: 150g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 156mg | Potassium: 249mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 117g | Vitamin A: 370IU | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 2mg