This moist triple chocolate cake is a three layer chocolate cake. The cake is filled with whipped chocolate ganache, so every bite is a burst of chocolate! It is topped with chocolate cream cheese icing and a chocolate drip. This cake is actually very easy to assemble and is perfect for birthdays.
Why Is This Moist Triple Chocolate Cake WAY Better Than A Box Mix?
Most box mixes are made with extra pudding to make it really moist. Usually it has a lack of chocolate flavor. This chocolate cake is made with buttermilk, hot water, and a lot of cocoa powder. All of these ingredients make for a moist and powerful chocolate cake! You won't want to try another chocolate box cake again!
The hot water mixed with the chocolate cake batter helps to bloom the chocolate flavor. The batter itself is very runny because of the hot water. However, it turns into this soft and moist chocolate cake layers.
What Pans To Use For This Cake
You can make this a 3 layer 8 inch cake or a 4 layer 6 inch cake. It all depends on how tall you would like your cake to be. Either way you do it, you will spray your pans with a non-stick baking spray. Then, place an 8 inch or 6 inch parchment circle on the bottom.
Once the cakes are done baking, leave them in the pan for 10 minutes. The cakes will start pull away from the sides of the pan. Which means they will slide right out on to a cooling rack.
How To Make Cake Batter
- Mix dry ingredients- Use a sifter to get rid of the lumps from the flour and cocoa powder. Then, use a whisk to mix the flour, cocoa powder, rising agents, sugar, and salt.
- Room temperature ingredients- The buttermilk and eggs should be room temperature before baking. Pull these out 2 hours before baking.
- Mix wet ingredients- In a small bowl, mix all the wet ingredients together.
- Heat hot water- The water needs to be steaming. Hot water from the tap won't be hot enough to bloom that chocolate. Heat the water in a saucepan until steaming. Then, very slowly add the hot water into the wet ingredients.
- Mix the wet ingredients into the dry- Slowly mix it in until combined. Scrape the bowl to make sure it all combined.
What Is Whipped Chocolate Ganache?
Regular chocolate ganache is just heavy cream and chocolate that is mixed together to form a smooth and silky chocolate. It is super simple to make and I use it on everything.
Whipped chocolate ganache, is when you cool down the ganache enough so it is more solid (think like a buttercream). Then, you whip it using a mixer until it is very light and fluffy.
How To Make Whipped Chocolate Ganache
First, make the chocolate ganache. Heat the heavy cream in a saucepan until it is hot and steaming. Once it is hot enough, pour it over a bowl of chocolate chips.
Next, let it sit there for 1 minute and 30 seconds. This will allow the heavy cream to melt the chocolate. Then, mix until it is smooth and glossy. Once it is ready place the bowl of chocolate ganache in the fridge.
The chocolate ganache will need to be in the fridge for about 45 minutes. Every 10 minutes mix the chocolate so it stays smooth even while cooling down. After the 40 minutes it should be thick and frosting like texture.
Next, use a mixer on medium-high to beat the chocolate ganache for 20 seconds minutes. The whipped chocolate ganache will be very light in color and fluffy.
Use the whipped ganache right away.
Tips On Making The BEST Chocolate Cream Cheese Buttercream
I don't know about you guys, but I think regular buttercream icing is too sweet. The addition of cream cheese and cocoa powder brings down the sweetness immensely. This frosting is seriously so good! It might be my new go to chocolate frosting from now on! Here are my best tips to make this frosting.
- Make sure your cream cheese is room temperature- This is actually extremely important. When your cream cheese is room temperature it will beat very smoothly. When it is cold, it will clump up.
- Your butter should be slightly cold- leave your unsalted butter on the counter for 30 minutes. Really cold butter won't blend smoothly and room temperature butter is too warm and it won't hold it's shape. When the butter is slightly cold the mixer will help warm it up a little.
- The powdered sugar and cocoa powder should be sifted- Use a sifter to make sure the powdered sugar and cocoa powder are very fine. When there are lumps, that is why your icing can become gritty.
- Beat the buttercream for 5 total minutes- first beat it for 4 minutes on high, then scrape the bowl and beat for another minute. This will introduce air and make your buttercream is super fluffy.
- Let your buttercream chill before using it- Leave your buttercream in the fridge for 5 minutes before using it. The mixer will warm up the butter while it is beating it. The fridge will help set the butter a little and will be easier to work with.
Tools Needed To Get A Perfectly Smooth Cake
Technically you don't need much of what is on this list. You can slather on the rich chocolate buttercream and call it a day. However, if you are looking for tools to create a cake that looks very smooth and is a show stopper, then this will help you a lot.
- 8 inch cardboard circle- this will go on the bottom of the cake and will act as a sturdy base.
- 10 inch cardboard circle- this will go underneath the 8 inch cardboard circle. You will attach it by tape and it acts as a good base to transfer the cake to and from the freezer. Once the cake is ready, just remove the 10 inch board.
- Icing smoother- I use this every time I decorate a cake. This will get you super even sides.
- Cake turn table- This turn table has been a life changer for me. It turns smoothly and it is a few inches high. It makes decorating cake so much easier!
- Acrylic Disc- This is an 8 inch acrylic disc that you put on top of your cake after you apply the crumb coat. This will help you get the sharp cake edges.
Assembling The Cake
In my recipe below I list the basics to assemble this cake. If you want all of my tips and tricks to get your cake perfectly smooth, then I'm here for you!
First grab the cardboard circles and tape the bigger one to the smaller one. I use regular scotch tape. Then grab a small amount of frosting and spread it on the 8 inch card board circle. This will act as the glue for your cake and will keep it in place.
Place your first layer bottom side down and pipe a ring of buttercream around the edge of the cake. I used a 1M piping tip. This will make sure none of the filling spills to the outside.
Next, spread the half of the whipped chocolate ganache on top of the cake. Use an offset icing spatula to get it smooth. Then, take a bit of the buttercream and spread it on top. Using just the ganache isn't enough filling, which is why I use extra buttercream.
Repeat the rest of the cake and filling process. For the last layer place the cake bottom side up. We want the flattest and most even surface for the top of the cake. Next, take a piping bag and pipe in the holes on the sides of the cake.
Decorating The Cake
Next, apply a thin layer of frosting for the crumb coat layer. It should be thin enough that you see parts of the cake poking through. Freeze the cake for 15 minutes to seal in the crumbs
Then, frost the rest of the cake. Before applying the drip, freeze the cake for 10 minutes. Cold frosting will help the chocolate flow down the sides of the cake.
Can This Cake Be Turned Into Cupcakes?
Yes, this can absolutely be turned into cupcakes. Make the batter as normal and bake for 16-20 minutes. This should make 24 cupcakes.
Then, you can fill the cupcakes with whipped chocolate ganache and top it with chocolate cream cheese icing. It will be perfect for a birthday party!
Can This Moist Triple Chocolate Cake Be Frozen?
Yes, this cake can absolutely be frozen. I recommend first cutting the cake into slices. Then, wrap each slice tightly in cling wrap and place it in a Tupperware or in aluminum foil.
When you are ready to thaw it, place the cake on the counter and let it get to room temperature.
Other Cake Recipes To Try:
Make sure to tag me on Instagram @stephaniesweettreats and leave me a review below if you made this cake. I hope you loved it! To get more ideas follow me on Pinterest.
Moist Triple Chocolate Cake
Ingredients
Chocolate Cake
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 ¾ cups White granulated sugar
- ¾ cup Unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tsp Baking soda
- ¾ tsp Baking powder
- 1 tsp Salt
- ½ cup Oil Canola or Vegetable
- 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup Buttermilk
- 3 Large eggs room temperature
- 1 cup Hot water
Whipped Chocolate Ganache
- ½ cup Heavy cream
- 1 cup Semi-sweet chocolate chips
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1 ½ cup Unsalted butter slightly cold
- 8 oz Cream cheese room temperature
- 7 cups Powdered sugar sifted
- 1 ½ cup Unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 TBSP Pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- ¼ cup Heavy cream
Chocolate Ganache Drip
- ¾ cup Heavy cream
- 1 cup Semi-sweet chocolate chips
- Mini chocolate chips for decorating
Instructions
Chocolate Cake
- Preheat the oven to 350F. Spray three 8 inch cake pans with non stick baking spray. Line the bottom with an 8 inch parchment circle and spray again. Set aside.
- In a medium sized bowl, sift together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a saucepan, heat water until hot and steaming.
- Using a mixer, combine buttermilk, oil, vanilla, and 3 eggs. Once it is all combined, slowly add in the hot water. Go slowly so you don't cook the eggs.
- Slowly add in the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined
- Use a food scale to evenly disperse the batter into the 3 cake pans. Bake for 18-25 minutes. The cake is done when a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let the cakes sit in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Allow the cakes to cool completely, then wrap tightly in cling wrap and place cakes in freezer.
Whipped Chocolate Ganache
- In a saucepan, heat heavy cream until hot and steaming. Pour hot cream over a bowl of the chocolate chips. Let it sit for 1 minute and 30 seconds
- Use a rubber spatula to stir chocolate until smooth and glossy.
- Place bowl of chocolate ganache in the fridge for a total of 40 minutes. Every 10 minutes, take the bowl out and whisk it to keep it smooth. At the end of the 40 minutes, it should be thick and cool to the touch. If it isn't thick enough, then place in fridge for another 10 minutes and check again.
- Use a mixer, beat cooled chocolate ganache on medium-high for 20 seconds. It should get very light in color and become very fluffy.
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
- Place cold butter on the counter for 30 minutes to get slightly cold. It should be cold to the touch, but you can see a finger indent if you press on it.
- While butter is on the counter, sift the powdered sugar and cocoa powder together.
- Using a mixer with a paddle attachment, beat the room temperature cream cheese on medium for 1 minute. It should become light and fluffy. Scrape the bowl. Add the butter and beat again on medium-high for 1-2 minutes.
- Slowly add in the powdered sugar and cocoa powder. The mixture should become very thick. Add the vanilla, pinch of salt, and heavy cream. Mix on low until combined.
- Turn mixer up to high, and beat for 4 minutes straight. The buttercream will become light in color and very fluffy. Scrape the bowl. Beat again for 1 minute.
- Take the bowl off the mixer and use a wooden spoon and beat the buttercream by hand. Mix for a few minutes until all air pockets are removed.
- Place buttercream in the fridge for 15 minutes. Then, beat again by hand before using to fluff it back up. If you keep buttercream in fridge overnight let it get back to room temperature and then beat again with mixer to get it fluffy again.
Chocolate Ganache Drip
- In a saucepan, heat the heavy cream until hot and steaming. Pour hot cream over a bowl of chocolate chips. Let it sit for 1 minute and 30 seconds.
- Stir the chocolate until it is smooth and glossy. Place half of chocolate in a squeeze bottle for the drip. The rest will go on top of the cake.
Assembly
- Take cake out of the freezer and allow to sit for 1 hour before decorating.
- Place a small amount of frosting on an 8 inch cardboard circle. This will act as the glue for the cake. Place 1st layer of cake bottom side down on cardboard circle
- Pipe a ring of frosting around the edge of the cake. This will be the border. Use half of the whipped chocolate ganache and spread evenly on top of cake. Use ¼-1/2 cup of frosting and spread on top of ganache. It should come up to the ring of frosting. Make sure it is perfectly even.
- Place second layer of cake bottom side down. Press the cake down gently but firmly. Repeat step 3.
- Place last layer of cake bottom side up. Press the cake down gently but firmly. Fill in any gaps of frosting around the filling.
- Place a light layer of frosting around the entire cake. This will be the crumb coat layer. Freeze cake for 15 minutes.
- Frost the rest of the cake until smooth. On the bottom edge of the cake, place a layer of mini chocolate chips. Use your hand to press them into the frosting. Freeze the cake for 10 minutes
- Use the squeeze bottle to drip chocolate around the edge of the cake. Then, pour almost all of the rest of the ganache on top of the cake. Spread it smooth. Freeze cake for 10 minutes.
- Use the rest of the frosting to decorate the top of the cake. Then, decorate with mini chocolate chips on top. Keep cake in the fridge until ready to serve.
Stephanie says
That is a work of art. Which I had the talent but I burn hard boiled eggs 😂
Thanks for sharing!
Stephanie Rutherford says
Thank you!
Janette says
This looks awesome! Cant wait to make it for my family!
Stephanie Rutherford says
Thank you so much!
Zaahida says
Hey! I would like to make this cake for my sister's upcoming birthday I was wondering if I could make the cakes 2 days in advanced and freeze it will it still be as moist ? And if so how long should I take out of the freezer to cool down and frost it ?
Stephanie Rutherford says
Yes you can absolutely do that! In fact every time I make cake, I will cover in cling wrap and freeze it. The photos you see here is a cake I froze 2 days before. Take the cake out of the freezer and onto the counter for 1 hour before decorating.
Lezley Washington says
This recipe sounds delicious, but I have a few quick questions oil vs butter. My mom says always use butter for cakes. Of course you used oil. Do you think it makes a difference? Do you think that a butter/oil combination could be used? Lastly if I were to use butter would you recommend creaming the butter and sugar, then alternating wet and dry ingredients until it's blended together?
Stephanie Rutherford says
Actually oil is a lot better in cake because it makes them more moist. I only use oil when I have a strong flavor that will mask the oil, like chocolate. I don't recommend using butter or butter/ oil in this cake because it will completely change the texture of the cake. All of my white cakes uses a butter sugar creaming method because there is not a strong flavor to mask the oil. I strongly recommend trying this cake recipe with the oil, it creates a super moist cake!
Karena says
This cake looks amazing. I was wondering if I could wrap the cake layers in plastic wrap and leave them out at room temperature for 2 days instead of freezing them.
Oliwia says
Can the batter be aside for a while? I have only 2 pans, so can it stay in a bowl?
Stephanie Rutherford says
Yes that is fine! Place cling wrap over the mixing bowl with the rest of the batter while the other cakes bake.
Brittany says
Is the bake time different if your making 6 inch cakes instead?
Stephanie Rutherford says
For 6 inch cakes, separate the batter into 4 pans. If you are baking all at the same time then the baking time should be the same. If you are baking 2 at a time for example, check on it around 15-16 minutes.
Neha Patel says
Hey great recipe. But can you suggest any substitute for eggs here as I don’t consume eggs but I absolutely love this recipe and wanna make it.
Steven says
I absolutely love this cake! It was so moist and delicious! Perfect for anyone who loves chocolate.
Eileen Rutherford says
Fabulous moist and delicious.
Heather says
Absolute dream chocolate cake!!
Vic says
Such a lovely chocolate cake, thank you Stephanie!
Samantha says
Delicious!
Caitlin says
This is possible THE best chocolate cake I have ever had. I don't think I will ever need another chocolate cake recipe again.
Randi says
Made this cake in about 3hrs 30 mins. The night before and kept it in the fridge overnight. Still amazingly moist and oh so chocolatey!!! It was a crowd pleaser! I will definitely be sharing and making it again. (Didn’t do drizzle, ran out of steam, but no one missed it) thank you for all the tips and tricks!!!
Heather says
This was just chocolate perfection!!
Irina says
Looks great! Thank you for sharing!
Can’t wait to try it. Just have a question about crumb coat. Where the crumbs come from? Lol I don’t see any direction about it 🙂
Stephanie Rutherford says
Hello!
So the crumb coat means that it is a light layer of frosting that will seal in the crumbs from the cake. That way the final layer of frosting will be clear of any crumbs!
Irina says
[facepalm]
thank you! I’ve realized that after I left this comment haha. English is my second language, so I thought you actually put crumbs on top of the frosting lol
Sharon Gall says
This looks absolutely yummy! Can’t wait to try it!
Tricia says
Looks so good. Can’t wait to try it!
Sherri says
When making the whipped gsnache it was hard after the 2nd 10 minutes.. i used a mixer to get it whipped. Is that supposed to happen?
Stephanie Rutherford says
I am so sorry that happened! That means the chocolate got to cold. It could be your fridge is colder than mine. It is supposed to resemble chocolate frosting before whipping.
Nayia says
I am about to make your delicious cake recipe! I would like to make the cream cheese frosting and the chocolate filing a day before assembling and consuming the cake. Will this provoke any problems to the texture of the cream?
Stephanie Rutherford says
You can make the frosting a day before. Keep covered and chilled in the fridge. Let it sit out for 1 1/2 hours. Then, re whip with your mixer. The filling needs to be made right before assembling the cake.