I have a dear friend, Janeen, who makes the most amazing Chocolate Cake EVER!!! It’s one of those cakes that leaves a lasting impression, it haunts you until you finally break down and beg your sweet friend to please share the recipe with you. Then you beg some more to see if you can share it with the world. Janeen, my dear, the world is going to LOVE you and your amazing cake!!
The Most Amazing Chocolate Cake… Ever!
1 Chocolate Cake Mix (any kind, I've used chocolate fudge, Swiss chocolate, or milk chocolate)
1 C Mini Chocolate Chips
1 cup Sour Cream
1 Pkg. of Chocolate Pudding (small 3.5 oz. box)
Prepare cake as directed on box, and add sour cream, pudding and chocolate chips. Pour into 2 9-inch round baking pans. Bake as directed on box (you might need to add a minute or two to the baking time because of the added ingredients). Place on a wire rack to cool.
Equally Impressive Chocolate Frosting
1 cup butter at room temperature
3 oz. Ghirardelli 100% cocoa chocolate bar
4-5 cups powered sugar
milk
Chop the chocolate, then place in double boiler until melted. Cream together butter, chocolate, and 4 cups of powered sugar. Add milk as needed for desired consistency. Combine until creamy; continue to add powered sugar and milk until it is the consistency and taste that you want. Place one layer of cake on cake stand and frost the top, then add the second layer and frost the rest of the cake.
Garnish with chocolate curls. I like to make bigger curls for this cake. Melt some chocolate, get a 9 inch round cake pan and turn upside down and then spread the chocolate on it as a thin, thin layer. Let cool until the chocolate is set and then get a cheese slicer or potato peeler, and slice the chocolate into curls.
Janeen made this Heavenly cake for our Bloggers Night Out {Vegas Style} [more on that to come!] this past weekend, and blew everyone away!! Janeen you are a doll!!
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Wow, that sure looks amazing! Can't wait to give it a try!
My sister's birthday is this weekend and she has requested I make her a chocolate cake. I have another recipe ready to go, but this sure looks divine! I may be giving it a try. 😉
Oh be still my chocoholic heart! Pinning to my Recipes to Try board on Pinterest!
Oh my, that looks so delicious! Yummmmmm!
Janeen, I LOVE you!! (i got to try this cake this weekend) and it IS absolutely DIVINE!!
Query! Instant chocolate pudding or cook? Thanks…looks fabulous..bye bye diet!
Yummmmmmmy!
I can attest to the delicate deliciousness of this masterpiece! You take a tiny slice and then wish you hadn't been so conservative! It is so tasty! Janeen, you are a fabulously talented Lady! Thanks for topping off our night in grand style!!
Excuse me while I wipe the drool off my keyboard. Yummy!
Oh you did not just post about the best chocolate cake ever!! I am so in trouble!! Making…yep right about NOW! Aside from this recipe you also made my day by giving me the WIN!!!!! Thank you so much!!!!!!!!
New follower – that's great that you call the comments love notes. :o) I love to bake and this looks absolutely delicious. I'm not big on frosting so I'm glad you took a picture of it sliced because it looks moist and inviting! Mmmm
And just like visiting Eighteen 25, I got distracted. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway over at Kiki Creates – you ladies are awesome!
Thanks so much for sharing this! I can't wait to make it!
I am so excited over the giveaway, it would be great to win! 😀
I follow you via Google! 😀
this looks amazing…will definitely give it a try 🙂
Do you have to make the pudding according to directions and then add? Or just add the dry mix?
My mom used to make this when I was little in a bundt pan without the frosting – delicious that way as well (especially for me, i'm funny about textures and don't like frosting). 🙂
There's nothing wrong with Chocolate cake mix, I'm so sick of food snobs!
This is absolutely delicious! Thanks for this great share,
Sounds amazing! I'll have to try this one for Easter!
Oh, you're right. This DOES look like the most amazing chocolate cake.
I think I gained a few pounds by looking at this. LOL
http://www.blairlockout.com
I just barely finished making this cake for my chocoholic sister's birthday. I haven't gotten to eat the actual cake yet but the frosting alone had my eyes crossing! I used a little heavy cream in mine instead of milk, wow! Fluffy, rich yumminess!! The prep was fantastically easy and it looks great! Thanks so much for sharing this!
Sounds amazing … I have to make it for Easter!
sadly i can't make this. Cake mix is not something i know where to buy (wouldn't want to)and anyways my mum is gluten intolerent 🙁
still, looks AMAZING!
i'm no snob, i just like to know everything in my cakes.
Gosh that cake looks beautiful.
xxx
I've been making a version of this cake with 4 eggs, 1/2 a cup of rum and 1/4 cup of oil added to it for years, my grandmother taught me. It freezes AMAZINGLY, turns into a layer cake or bundt cake beautifully and is generally just awesome. It's even won me a few awards 😉
There is one problem with using cake mixes and such in recipes: these products are not widely available, for example, in Europe. I always have to skip these recipes as I have no idea what actually goes into a generic "cake mix" so I could make my own substitute.
Europe sucks…they dont sell cake mix there?
i'm dying to try this!!! do you use pudding mix ( as in the powder) or ready made (cooked) pudding?
thanks for sharing
I made this for my family's Mother's day party. My aunts absolutely LOVED it! (They demanded I make copies of the recipe because they don't have internet) It was described several times as "orgasmic" and two of my aunts actually fought over who would take home the left overs. This was my first time making a -real- cake (anything fancier than a funfetti cake. I'm only 18! lol) I accidentally bought normal sized chocolate chips so I used only half a cup of them, and topped the cake with them aswell (there were A LOT!) And I only needed to add a tablespoon of milk & an extra cup and a half of sugar to the frosting. (To everyone asking about the pudding, I put it in as powder, it turned out fine. So I guess that's what you're supposed to do.) Hope everyone enjoys theirs as much as we enjoyed it!
When you are making the cake as directed – instead of putting water in it like the box says, substitute 7-up. It will make it even better! You can do that with any cake mix – it adds something amazing!
I made this cake shortly after you posted this. Here is my conversation with my husband:
Him: "Wow. This is really good. Why doesn't Rex (a friend of ours) like cake?"
Me: "He says they are too dry. And icky. I believe he used the work icky."
Him: "Wow. You should make him this one. I think he'd like cake."
And while the hubs is a good sport about the food I make, he LOVED this cake.
Super super super good(: for anyone wondering i use the instant pudding (the powder,not prepared yet).
I tried to make a white version later which turned out ok. It was almost too moist so i'd take out the white chocolate chips and maybe use half the pudding. My brother doesn't like chocolate so i did it for him.
Second go at this cake after the first was I presented for a birthday was a HUGE success! Everyone raved that it WAS the best chocolate cake they had ever eaten!
This time I added 4 1/2 oz. of chocolate to the frosting to up the decadant factor a little bit…wow! So glad I found this recipe, everyone who's tried it has begged for the recipe! Thanks again!
I'm new to this site and this very cake has made me a subscriber. I made this for my Hubby, who is not the biggest chocolate fan. He lived to eat this cake. It only lasted 2 days. I made them in square pans and served with Spumoni ice cream. Yummy.
powder pudding mix or already made chocolate pudding?! someone help, im in the middle of making this for my brothers birthday
okay, this is a really important question. i Plan too make this cake very soon, so yes id personally like too know about the pudding dispute…. and also adding carbonated water or soda too the cake, can i still add in the eggs oil etc? or would that be a bad idea? is it just soda and nothing else or soda and everything else optional?
I made this cake (first one ever) for our Memorial day picnic.
It was a huge hit. I will make this over and over and over again.
Thanks for making me look good
bollocks this isnt a recipe , it uses cake mix?!
it is a recipe, trick.
That looks incredible
I'm glad we don't have cake mix available in Europe – who needs it anyway? Making a "chocolate cake" using cake mix is totally ambiguous! Is it that hard for you to make a cake from the beginning? And the frosting, ffs. You don't need to put butter and sugar(!) in it, the chocolate already has sugar. Cream and a bit of liquor heated with the chocolate is enough to make a delicious frosting.
I laugh everytime I read this so called "recipes" that have 90% of the main ingredients totally processed in the first place.
Seriously, Americans, you really need to re-think the way you eat. You have some delicious and healthy stuff too, but the cake mixes and the mac&cheese stuff and putting soda in the cake(!) and the whole comfort food thing goes beyond my understanding.
This is legitimately the most amazing chocolate cake ever, I'm working on finding the perfect pan for my best friend's wedding!
I made cupcakes using this recipe and they were soooo delicious. This is going to be my go to recipe for chocolate cake from now on!
wow! i can't believe i see a recipe for this cake. I have been making this exact cake for over 25years. The only difference is i perfer to put it in a bundt pan at 350 degrees for 50 minutes and when it's cool i sprinkle confectionery sugar all over the top. The cake is so moist and rich i feel it doesn't need all the icing, I also serve homemade whip cream and vanilla ice cream. Your cake does look very beautiful!
You do NOT have to make the pudding before adding it in. I got the instant pudding 3.9 oz box and I just dumped the powder in with the cake mix, and it worked fine. It made the cake really moist.
What I didnt like was the 1 cup mini chocolate chips. It was way too much. When I took a bite out of the cake, all I could tasts was the chocolate chips; which I did not find very pleasant. In my opinion, the cake tastes much better without the chocolate chips. If chocolate chips is desired, try adding only 1/2 a cup instead of 1 cup.
Otherwise, this cake was fantastic =)
I love cakes that start with cake mixes 🙂 yum!
Me too! Let’s keep life simple…
kisses
heather
Oh my goodness!!! I just made this cake…..IT IS AMAZING!!!! I am posting it on my blog! I will be making this cake from now on. Thank you so much!!!!!!
Please email me back as this recipie sounds great, but you need to imply if you use instant chocolate pudding or cooked. Or don't it matter . Please email me as I don't have a website . Thanks I will be waiting for your email reply
Delores
Come on by and check it out! I love this cake!! hehehe!
amazing! the sad thing about cakes is that you can’t try any of it.. so i left a little batter and frosting to make two cupcakes for myself :] SO moist. and the frosting is addicting.. must’ve dipped my finger into the frosting pot 20+ times. i’ve gotten compliments on how the cake looks (chocolate shavings turned out wonderfully!) but we’ll have to see what people think of the taste tomorrow at the welcome lunch! THANK YOU!
wow. this cake looks seriously beautiful!!! I’ve got to try this recipe!!! i’m always in the market for a really chocolatey cake!
Heather…I have made this cake 5 times since you posted it. I have even posted it on my blog and included your blog for people to visit!! I love this cake…THANKS FOR SHARING!!
This lools amazing Heather!
thanks sweetie!
kisses
heather
I made this in cupcake form with a chocolate ganache frosting and it was TO DIE FOR! I was told by several people that it was the best cupcake they have ever had haha. Thank you!!!
-M.
Oh.MY.goodness! This looks like the most amazing chocolate cake…ever! Your photos are amazing!
Instant chocolate pudding or regular?
Hello Bobbi-
It’s regular pudding, unprepared. Let me know what you think!
kisses
heather
Will instant pudding work? Is it one package prepared or unprepared?
Yep, it sure will. Just one package unprepared will do the trick!
kisses
heather
It seems most cake mixes come with pudding in them already. So are you adding more pudding or if it comes with pudding already in it, do you not put it in?
You’re right Eric… you are actually adding more dry pudding mix to the cake mix.
Great question!!
kisses
heather
This cake is incredible — both devilishly rich and very moist. I substituted the chocolate pudding for vanilla pudding, and used a Duncan Hines yellow cake mix. The results were still outstanding. It’s a surprisingly easy recipe, and I can’t wait to share this link with friends.
I’m also coveting the robin’s egg blue dessert plates — great photos!
Thank you so much Kate! I actually made the cake again the other day with vanilla and fell in love all over again!!
kisses
heather
instant pudding mix or something else?
does this need to be refrigerated?
Great question…I don’t believe so. I’ve made it several times and have left it on the counter, covered of course.
kisses
heather
This is MY recipe! Too funny. This is my favorite chocolate cake recipe. I pour my batter into a Bundt pan though. I’m going to try to use 2 round cake pans next time.
Thanks.
Looks so yummy!
Wow that looks so mouth watering. Can’t wait to make this!!!
If I do not have a double boiler, can I melt the chocolate another way?
Oh sure! You can just place a glass bowl over a pot filled a 1/4 of the way with simmering water. This works perfect!
kisses
heather
Cant wait to try this! One question…Semisweet chocolate chips or milk chocolate?
I used semisweet but either would one would work.
kisses
heather
I just added this to my recipe binder. Brilliant!
I made this for friends and family to enjoy on Christmas night. Did 2 layers with dark chocolate ganache, pecans and coconut in the middle. Everyone went NUTS for it. Today one of the friends who enjoyed it that night emailed me to ask if I could please “bring that crack cake and jam a candle in it” to feed the masses at her husband’s birthday party on Sunday. I can’t wait to make it again!
Hi! I am currently baking this cake and it’s been in the oven five extra minutes from the time state on the box and it still doesn’t seem done! Are you supposed to take it out when it’s still gooey inside??? Help please!
Actually instant works best and a way to improve it that you should try is using 4 eggs instead of the recommended three, using 1/2 c. water and a 1/2 c. oil instead of the recommended oil amounts. And I usually use 2 oz chocolate. This recipe also translates to about any type of cake you want – white with vanilla pudding and white chocolate, strawberry with cheesecake pudding and strawberries instead of the chocolate, etc. Be creative. Also, make sure after baking to cut the top, bottom, and sides off of the cake in a thin layer if you want an incredibly, incredibly scrumptious cake. And follow baking rules of course, mixing your dry ingredients first then adding wet, banging pans on counter to get air bubbles out before baking, flouring pans, etc. Try it. I bet you anything it will improve your best chocolate cake ever 🙂
I have made this cake many times – and have gotten raves every single time! It has become a favorite with my co-workers…I have to make it for them on every special occasion! The name of this cake says it all – if you love chocolate, you will LOVE this cake!!
Would this work in a cupcake form?? 🙂
Kathleen-
It totally would and it would be GREAT!!
kisses
heather
How long would they take to bake? Would I just need to bake them a couple minutes longer than it says on the box for making cupcakes? 🙂
I would start from the standard baking time and then check from there.
kisses
heather
Made this for my wifes birthday. It is the best Choc cake ever! I finished off the last quarter of the cake because I couldn’t stop eating it. I stirred my coffee, couldn’t find a clean fork, so dug in with the hot coffee flavored spoon. It melted its way through the cake. This will be my new way to eat this cake from now on!
Oh my goodness, that sounds divine!! Thanks for sharing.
kisses
heather
Hello, my name is Elizabeth and I work for a library in Wyoming. We are currently putting together a Death By Chocolate recipe book with recipes from our annual fundraiser. I noticed your photo with the cake on a plate at the top of this post, and it’s gorgeous. Very well done. We’re currently looking for pictures for the section dividers of our recipe book. I would love to discuss using your picture with you if you’re interested. It’s easiest to reach me by email. Please let me know what you think. And thank you!
Does the butter have to be melted or just softened?
This recipe is actually from Taste of Home magazine. The only difference is that they have a ganache on top and strawberries on top.
For the Ghirardelli chocolate in the icing, did you use dark or milk?
Just tried this for the first time and got RAVE reviews. Made a double recipe for a really large cake and every single person that tasted it swore it was the best chocolate cake they’ve ever had. A former chef even suggested I sell to local restaurants! Instead of the shaved chocolate I covered the entire cake in malt balls cut in half. The little bit of crunch made the perfect chocolate cake even better! If I don’t make this again there will mutiny in the birthday ranks.Thanks so much!
The pudding..? Is the box mix and u have to prepared it…or just added..? Or did u used the normsl pudding?..
Has anyone tried this as a sheet cake??
Teri-
I works great as a sheet cake. Bake away!!
kisses // heather
OK, I made this today as cupcakes and OMG they are soooo sooo good! It did make 5 extra cupcakes (29 instead of the usual 24) because of the extra ingredients. I also had to fill the liners a little more than the recommended 2/3 full because the batter expanded perfectly while baking, but then when cooling it shrunk up a bit and looked a bit funky. With some buttercream on top, you couldn't tell, but I would add a little more batter to the liners next time to accomodate for the shrinkage. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. It will be my go to now! Thank you!!!
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I made this yesterday for my dads birthday, and I have to say it came out wonderfully! It was really really moist, which made me really nervous about it falling apart when taking them out of the pans. Luckily, it stayed together, but I had to be really careful. The frosting was actually the best part. I let my very critical parents taste it before I frosted the cake, and surprisingly they didnt have anything bad to say about it! If you want to store it in the fridge, you will want to let it sit out for several minutes so it is easier to cut it (the frosting hardens to a sort of plaster-like feel, making it hard to cut. But once it "thaws" it tastes just as good and fresh! Dont worry) Overall, this cake is AMAZING! My dad absolutely loved it
Jenna… I’m thrilled! I’m so glad you and your family liked it. Thanks so much for letting me know.
kisses // heather
I made this cake today and it was amazing but the frosting was kind of runny… Any idea why?
When I originally commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each time a comment
is added I get three e-mails with the same comment.
Is there any way you can remove people from that service?
Thanks!
Heather this is so good! I made it just how you did here and it was fantastic. I made it again but changed it up a little bit. You can see my what I did here, http://leonalovely.com/2013/08/31/heavenly-chocolate-cake-recipe
bookmarked!!, ӏ love ypur wweb site!
I am baKing this cake for my Birthday This year
it turned out really amazing and tempting so wonderful everyone loves it
thanks for such a wonderful recipe