From tall, frosted layer cakes to simple and delicious bundts, our best chocolate cakes are all here. Grab a glass of milk and get ready to meet (and eat!) your new favorite recipe.
Our Best-Ever Chocolate Cake Recipes
Updated on May 31, 2024
1/39
Yummy Chocolate Cake
Total Time
35 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I are trying to eat lighter but still crave sweets. This moist, healthy chocolate cake really helps with that. With the rich frosting, it makes a decadent treat! —LaDonna Reed, Ponca City, Oklahoma
2/39
Three-Layer Chocolate Ganache Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This decadent triple-layer beauty is pure chocolate indulgence. The cake layers can be frozen prior to final assembly; in fact, they’re easier to work with when frozen. —Kathleen Smith, Overland, Missouri. Looking for more? Try this famous chocolate cake from Matilda, a beloved family film.
3/39
Classic Chocolate Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe was on a can of Hershey's cocoa way back in 1943. I tried it, my boys liked it, and I've been making it ever since. I make all my cakes from scratch, and this is one of the best! —Betty Follas, Morgan Hill, California
4/39
Easy Chocolate Eclair Cake
Total Time
15 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
One of the guys I work with shared this dreamy, creamy eclair cake recipe with me and I love it! I can make it ahead of time and it only has five ingredients. —Lori Teeple, Carpentersville, Illinois
5/39
Devil’s Food Cake
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Devil's food cake is darker and richer than regular chocolate cake recipes due to the Dutch-processed cocoa powder and coffee in the cake batter. Our recipe has a from-scratch buttercream that makes every bite as decadent as possible. —Julie Andrews, Rockford, Michigan
6/39
Ding Dong Cake
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This luscious and rich cake is made with ermine frosting and topped with a chocolate ganache. Ermine frosting, also known as boiled milk frosting, is an old-fashioned recipe that is egg-free, light and creamy. —Sue Draheim, Waterford, Wisconsin
7/39
Cookies and Cream Cake
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Calling all Oreo lovers! Between the moist vanilla cake, cream cheese frosting and chocolate ganache, this cake uses 22 Oreos. This means you'll still have a few left in the pack to snack on. —Lauren Habermehl, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
8/39
Mississippi Mud Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The Marvelous Mississippi Mud Cake was one of the desserts that always disappeared the fastest at my church's potluck dinners. Don't worry about spreading the frosting around—you want it to look like beautiful chocolate muddy mounds! —Janna Wright, Littleton, Colorado
9/39
Vegan Chocolate Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 pieces
From the Recipe Creator:
This chocolate cake is utterly outstanding and completely plant-based. I love adding instant coffee to chocolate cake (whether vegan or not) for a deeper and richer chocolate flavor. —Julie Andrews, Rockford, Michigan
10/39
Butterfinger Cake
Total Time
35 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Caramel sundae sauce seeps into every slice of this Butterfinger cake. When you combine the caramel with a thick peanut butter frosting and chocolate cake, this dessert tastes like a Butterfinger even before adding the chopped candy on top. —Cathy Trochelman, Brookfield, Wisconsin
11/39
Boston Cream Poke Cake
Total Time
40 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This Boston cream poke cake recipe gives a plain yellow cake mix a flavorful makeover. Vanilla pudding infuses the cake to create a custardy filling, while chocolate chips are melted with heavy whipping cream to create a velvety, delicious frosting. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
12/39
Chocolate Tres Leches Cake
Total Time
55 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This moist chocolate tres leches cake is ready in under an hour. It's topped with homemade chocolate whipped cream and mini chocolate chips. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
13/39
Best Texas Sheet Cake
Total Time
40 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This chocolaty delight was one of my favorites growing up. The Texas sheet cake is so moist and the icing so sweet that everyone who samples it wants a copy of the recipe. —Susan Ormond, Jamestown, North Carolin. If you’re looking for an easy and fast recipe, then try making this chocolate ripple cake.
14/39
Chocolate Chiffon Cake
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you want to offer family and friends a dessert that really stands out from the rest, this is the cake to make. The beautiful high, rich sponge cake is drizzled with a succulent chocolate glaze. —Erma Fox, Memphis, Missouri
15/39
Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These indulgent vegan chocolate cupcakes have no butter, eggs or dairy milk, but you'd never guess it. This recipe is perfect for potlucks and family gatherings that include guests with food restrictions. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
16/39
Chocolate Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Years ago, I drove 4-1/2 hours to a cake contest, holding my entry on my lap the whole way. But it paid off. One bite and you'll see why this velvety beauty was named the best chocolate cake recipe and won first prize. —Sandra Johnson, Tioga, Pennsylvania
17/39
Chocolate-Peanut Butter Sheet Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love peanut butter and chocolate, so I combined recipes to blend the two. This chocolate peanut butter cake is heavenly served plain or topped with ice cream. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
18/39
Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Frosting
Total Time
40 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This moist chocolate cake recipe with coffee reminds me of my grandmother because it was one of her specialties. I bake it often for family parties, and it always brings back fond memories. The cake is light and airy with a delicious chocolate taste. This recipe is a keeper! —Patricia Kreitz, Richland, Pennsylvania
19/39
One-Bowl Chocolate Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This cake mixes up quickly and bakes while we enjoy our dinner. My son, David, loves to help decorate it. —Coleen Martin, Brookfield, Wisconsin
20/39
Chocolate Espresso-Nut Torte
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love chocolate and nuts, and they come together deliciously in this torte. Serve it with sweetened whipped cream or your favorite ice cream. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey
21/39
Chocolate Bavarian Torte
Total Time
45 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Whenever I take this eye-catching torte to a potluck, I get so many requests for the recipe. —Edith Holmstrom, Madison, Wisconsin
22/39
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I've been baking cakes for years and enjoy trying new combinations of flavors and textures. For this peanut butter cupcake recipe, I blended peanut butter and chocolate. As soon as I took the first bite, I knew I had created something divine! —Ronda Schabes, Vicksburg, Michigan
23/39
Chocolate Pudding Cake
Total Time
50 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe came from my Aunt Vera. She loved sweets, and this was one of her favorites. It's a terrific way to warm up on a chilly day.
24/39
Malted Chocolate & Stout Layer Cake
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you want a dessert that will take the cake at a St. Patrick's Day celebration, look no further! The rich chocolate cake is incredibly moist and has a nice malt flavor that's perfectly complemented by the Irish cream frosting. —Jennifer Wayland, Morris Plains, New Jersey
25/39
Chocolate Hazelnut Torte
Total Time
55 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Most cake recipes feed a crowd. So we came up with this elegant little cake that serves six. That's enough for two…with just the right amount of leftovers! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
26/39
Banana Chocolate Cake
Total Time
40 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This light-as-air chocolate cake has a yummy banana flavor. It’s scrumptious as is, but you can also dress it up with nuts or light frostings. —Tina Bellows, Racine, Wisconsin
27/39
Sauerkraut Chocolate Cake
Total Time
55 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For an adventurous cake, try this recipe. People might need a little coaxing to try it but once they do, they will love it.—The Fremont Company
28/39
Reese’s Chocolate Snack Cake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My family constantly requests this cake is constantly. I don't mind making it because it's surprisingly low-cal. And its yellow and orange toppings make it the perfect dessert for a Halloween party. —Eileen Travis, Ukiah, California
29/39
Contest-Winning Chocolate Angel Food Cake
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When I take this different kind of angel food cake to church bake sales, it goes before I can get it on the table!—Mary Ann Iverson, Woodville, Wisconsin
30/39
Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This gluten-free chocolate cake is a yummy treat that everyone can enjoy. Sometimes I stir in gluten-free chocolate chips or chopped nuts for variety. —Nichele McCague, Poway, California
31/39
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The combination of mocha and peanut butter will satisfy every sweet tooth at your table. The garnish is a little extra work, but what are special occasions for? —Tammy Bollman, Minatare, Nebraska
32/39
Chocolate Almond Cake
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Fluffy white homemade frosting tops this rich chocolate almond cake. Sliced toasted almonds on top add a little crunch. —Sherri Gentry, Dallas, Oregon
33/39
Chocolate Carrot Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Finely shredding the carrots gives this cake an extra-nice texture. The walnuts sprinkled on top add crunch, but you can leave them off if you prefer. —Pamela Brown, Williamsburg, Michigan
34/39
Cinnamon Chocolate Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
15 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A healthy hint of cinnamon gives this chocolate cake an extra step up over the expected sheet cake. The sweet frosting is full of crunchy pecans. —Victor Clifford, San Jose, California
35/39
Black Forest Cake
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
As far as I know, this cake recipe can be traced back to my German great-grandma. When I got married, my mother gave me a copy and I hope to someday pass it down to my children. —Stephanie Travis, Fallon, Nevada
36/39
Crazy Cake
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I have made this chocolate cake for over 50 years. Otherwise known as “crazy cake,” this classic, tender and moist dessert requires only a two-step procedure to make.
37/39
German Chocolate Cake
Total Time
55 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This German chocolate cake is my husband’s favorite! Each bite has crunch from the pecans, and sweetness from coconut and chocolate. —Joyce Platfoot, Wapakoneta, Ohio
38/39
Cannoli Cake
Total Time
55 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A luscious, chocolate-studded cannoli filling separates the tender vanilla layers of this rich cake, which starts with a package mix. It’s best when served well chilled.—Antoinette Owens, Ridgefield, Connecticut
39/39
Double-Chocolate Toffee Icebox Cake
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother-in-law taught me that anything tastes good if you use enough chocolate or cream. This no-bake dessert proves she was right. Sometimes I use chocolate graham crackers and stack up the layers in a 9-inch square pan. —Bee Engelhart, Bloomfield Township, Michigan
