Chocolate Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

This chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting is rich, decadent, and just downright delicious. It combines layers of fluffy, moist chocolate cake with smooth cream cheese frosting to make a truly irresistible dessert.

The Best Chocolate Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

I don't know about you, but I love chocolate cake. There's just something so nostalgic about a layered chocolate cake, and the best chocolate cake I've ever had is this one with a sweet cream cheese frosting.

This chocolate layer cake is so moist and fluffy with a fudgy chocolate flavor. It's honestly delicious with no frosting, but the smooth and creamy cream cheese frosting creates a combination you just can't get in any other cake.

Trust me, you're going to love this chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting!

Why This Recipe Works

Easy to make. All you really have to do is some mixing, and this recipe is about as easy as making a boxed cake! 

A winning combination. The chocolate flavor of the moist cake goes so well with the decadent cream cheese frosting.

Family favorite. The kids and adults in my family love this chocolate cake, so it's become the staple dessert we have at birthday parties and other celebrations.

Ingredients

For how fancy this cake looks, the ingredient list is pretty straightforward. Honestly, you probably have most of them on hand already since they're baking staples.

Check out everything you'll need for the chocolate cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour 
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tsp. baking powder 
• 1 ½ tsp. baking soda 
• 1 tsp. salt 
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 cup buttermilk 
• ½ cup vegetable oil 
• 2 eggs, room temperature 
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract

And here's what you'll need for the cream cheese frosting:

• 1 ½ cups unsalted butter, room temperature 
• 1 cup full-fat cream cheese, room temperature 
• 1 tbsp. vanilla extract 
• 4-6 cups powdered sugar

If you have extra cream cheese frosting ingredients, you can use them to make this banana cake with cream cheese frosting for your next dessert!

How To Make Chocolate Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 350ºF and grease two aluminum cake pans with cooking spray.

2. Combine dry ingredients: Combine the flour, sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.

3. Combine wet ingredients: Beat the water, buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl.

4. Make the cake batter: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the bowl of wet ingredients. Mix until everything combines into a chocolate cake batter. The result will be very runny, don’t worry, that’s normal.

5. Bake the cake: Divide the chocolate cake batter evenly into the two prepared cake pans and bake for 25 minutes. Let them sit at room temperature until they cool.

6. Make the frosting: Mix the butter, cream cheese, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar in a bowl until a fluffy cream cheese frosting forms. 

7. Assemble the cake: Spread the cream cheese frosting on top of one cake. Put the other cake on top of that and cover the entire chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting. Serve and enjoy!

Tips To Make The Best Recipe

• Make chocolate cream cheese frosting by mixing a fourth cup of cocoa powder with the rest of the frosting ingredients.
• Use room temperature cream cheese and room temperature butter for the best frosting consistency.
• Add more powdered sugar to the frosting for a thicker consistency.
• Don't overmix the cake batter. Only mix until everything just combines.
• Let the cakes cool completely before adding the frosting.
• Use three small cake pans to make a triple layer chocolate cake and spread the frosting between the cake layers.
• You'll know the cakes are baked when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out dry.

How To Store Chocolate Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

In the fridge: Transfer the cake slices to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for about 2-3 days.

In the freezer: Freeze the leftover cake in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap and kept in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Let the frozen cake thaw in the fridge overnight before enjoying it.

FAQS About This Chocolate Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

What type of frosting is best for chocolate cake?

Chocolate cake is pretty much guaranteed to taste great, no matter what kind of frosting you use. Between chocolate ganache, buttercream, or cream cheese frosting, you really can't go wrong. With that said, cream cheese frosting balances out the rich chocolate flavor the best to make one delicious cake. 

Do cakes with cream cheese frosting need to be refrigerated?

Yes, cakes with cream cheese frosting will need to be refrigerated. Generally, storing them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to about 3 days is best.

Is there a difference between cream cheese icing and cream cheese frosting?

Yes, cream cheese icing has a thinner, lighter, and runnier texture. Cream cheese frosting is going to be thicker, fluffier, and easier to spread on the cake. 

Can you cover a cake with cream cheese frosting?

Absolutely! Cream cheese frosting is incredible on cakes. The texture of the frosting is perfect for putting between cake layers and for coating the entire cake.

More Dessert Recipes

• Sopapilla cheesecake
• Italian hangover cake
• Strawberry crunch cake
• Peach cobbler pound cake
• Peach cobbler with cake mix
• Honey cake recipe
• Coffee cake
• Oreo cupcakes