Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Filling Recipe
If you’re searching for a decadent dessert that pairs the rich, irresistible charm of chocolate with a luscious, tangy surprise, look no further than this Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Filling. Each bite of this treat is a beautifully harmonious blend of moist chocolate cake and a silky, sweetened cream cheese center. It’s a showstopper dessert that’s both nostalgic and elegant, perfect for celebrations or whenever you need a little indulgence. With easy-to-follow steps and approachable ingredients, this dessert brings bakery-level magic right into your home kitchen!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Filling is that it relies on pantry staples and a few special touches to create something extraordinary. Each ingredient has a clear purpose, whether it’s building the cake’s tender crumb, lending deep chocolate richness, or providing the creamy swirl that makes every slice special.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure to both the cake and the cream cheese filling, ensuring a soft yet stable crumb.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Delivers deep chocolate flavor and a beautiful dark color.
- Baking powder & baking soda: These leaveners create lift and help the cake rise to fluffy perfection.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens both the chocolate cake and the cream cheese layer, keeping everything perfectly balanced.
- Brown sugar: Adds extra moisture and a subtle caramel note to the cake.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness.
- Buttermilk: Makes the cake tender, moist, and gives a slight tang that pairs well with chocolate.
- Vegetable oil: Keeps the cake wonderfully moist even days after baking.
- Vanilla extract: Brings warm undertones to both cake and filling.
- Hot water or hot coffee: Intensifies the cocoa flavor and creates a smooth, pourable batter.
- Cream cheese (softened): Forms the creamy, tangy layer that defines this luscious filling.
- Extra flour for the filling: Ensures the cream cheese layer isn’t too runny and bakes up just right.
How to Make Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Filling
Step 1: Prepare the Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it reaches the perfect temperature by the time your batter is ready. Generously grease a 9×13-inch baking pan—this will make slicing and serving your Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Filling a breeze and prevent any sticky situations.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Combining them separately ensures all the leavening and cocoa get dispersed smoothly, resulting in an even, gorgeous cake every time.
Step 3: Beat the Wet Ingredients
In another big bowl, beat together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla extract until everything is blended and silky. This step makes sure your cake batter gets its rich flavor and ideal moist texture, thanks to the combination of both sugars and buttermilk.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients gradually, mixing gently until just combined. Don’t overmix; a few small lumps are totally fine! Then, slowly pour in the hot water or hot coffee, stirring until your batter is smooth and slightly thin—this means a super moist Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Filling awaits.
Step 5: Make the Cream Cheese Filling
In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with granulated sugar, egg, vanilla extract, and that extra spoonful of flour. Whisk until creamy and smooth. This dreamy mixture is the signature swirl that will run through your cake, giving it a surprise cheesecake twist in every bite.
Step 6: Layer and Swirl
Pour half of the chocolate cake batter into your greased pan, and use a spatula to smooth it out. Dollop the cream cheese filling over the batter in generous spoonfuls—don’t worry about being too precise! Use a knife or spatula to gently swirl the cream cheese layer into the cake batter, creating streaks and pockets of tangy goodness. Top with the remaining cake batter and spread it evenly across the pan.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Slide your masterpiece into the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Let it cool completely in the pan before slicing—this helps the cream cheese layer set and gives you the neatest squares.
How to Serve Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Filling
Garnishes
A light dusting of powdered sugar over the top of your Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Filling adds a classic touch and makes each piece look extra inviting. For more drama, drizzle with a glossy chocolate ganache, or scatter a few fresh berries and a sprig of mint for eye-catching color and brightness.
Side Dishes
This cake is absolutely divine on its own, but if you’re serving it at a gathering, think about pairing it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream. A mug of strong coffee, espresso, or even chilled milk rounds out the dessert experience beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For birthdays and celebrations, try cutting the Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Filling into squares and stacking them for a chic, modern twist. Or, serve warm cake slices in bowls and top with a big spoonful of berries and hot fudge for a decadent sundae vibe. Individual servings wrapped in parchment or nestled in cupcake liners also make it ideal for potlucks and picnics.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once fully cooled, cover the pan with foil or transfer leftover cake slices to an airtight container. Store them in the refrigerator, where your Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Filling will stay moist and delicious for up to 4 days—if it lasts that long.
Freezing
This cake freezes surprisingly well! Wrap slices tightly in plastic wrap, then in foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw slices in the refrigerator overnight, and they’ll be just as luscious and flavorful as the day you made them.
Reheating
To enjoy your chocolate treat slightly warm, pop a slice in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. The cream cheese filling softens and the chocolate flavors become even more intense, making it almost taste freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I make Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Filling ahead of time?
Absolutely! This cake can be baked a day or two in advance and stored in the fridge. The flavors actually get better as they meld, and the texture remains wonderfully moist thanks to the cream cheese layer.
Can I use light cream cheese for the filling?
Yes, you can substitute light (Neufchatel) cream cheese for a slightly lighter filling. Just make sure it’s softened for easy blending and keep in mind the texture will be a bit less rich, but still delicious.
Should I use hot coffee or water in the cake batter?
Either works! Hot coffee will enhance the chocolate notes in the cake and add a touch of complexity, but hot water will deliver a classic chocolate flavor. Choose whichever suits your taste buds or pantry supplies.
What’s the easiest way to swirl the cream cheese filling?
After dolloping the cream cheese over the first cake layer, use a butter knife or a skewer to gently swirl it through the batter. Don’t overdo it—you want distinct ribbons for that signature Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Filling look!
How do I know when the cake is done?
The best test is inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs (but no gooey batter). The edges will pull slightly away from the pan and the top will spring back lightly to the touch.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite as satisfying as sharing a recipe that’s been a crowd-pleaser time and again, and this Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Filling never disappoints. Whether you bake it for a festive occasion or just because, I hope you find as much joy in each luscious bite as my family and friends always have. Try it, make it your own, and don’t be surprised if it becomes your new go-to chocolate cake recipe!
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Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Filling Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the rich and decadent flavors of this Chocolate Cake with a luscious Cream Cheese Filling. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth!
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Cake:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup hot water or hot coffee
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Prepare the chocolate cake: Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat sugars, eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Combine wet and dry ingredients, then mix in hot water or coffee.
- Make the cream cheese filling: Beat together cream cheese, sugar, egg, vanilla, and flour until smooth.
- Layer and bake: Pour half of the chocolate batter into the pan, add dollops of cream cheese mixture, swirl, then top with remaining batter. Bake for 40–45 minutes.
- Cool and serve: Let the cake cool before slicing and serving.
Notes
- For added indulgence, top with powdered sugar, chocolate ganache, or fresh berries.
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 330mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
