Best Chocolate Cake Recipes

By Southern Living
Photo: Hector Sanchez

Our mouth-watering chocolate cake recipes will be the perfect sweet ending to your menu. 

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Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cake

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cake

We took the traditional pound cake recipe and raised it a stunning, triple-chocolate twist. This cake means business. A duo of glazes—one creamy chocolate, the other subtle buttermilk—comes together atop this dreamy confection. It’s indulgent and, we admit, so much fun to eat and serve. Chocolate enthusiasts will be over the moon for this recipe, but it has enough unexpected flavor—thanks to the addition of the buttermilk glaze—that you’ll also win over the harder-to-please dessert eaters at the table. Warning: You—and they—won’t be able to resist a second slice. Go for it. We won’t tell.

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Chocolate-Mayonnaise Cake

Recipe: Chocolate-Mayonnaise Cake

If you've never known the glory of a mayonnaise cake, you're in for a treat! The staple ingredient yields an ultra-moist crumb and keeps the sugar from taking over your taste buds.

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Chocolate Shortbread Cake

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Chocolate Shortbread Cake

This dessert, prepped in just 30 minutes, is all about the crisp cookies and luscious chocolate.

 

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Mini Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cakes

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Mini Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cakes

You'll hardly be able to bake these little gems before they're devoured.

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Mexican Chocolate Pound Cake

Photo: Jim Franco

Recipe: Mexican Chocolate Pound Cake

We replicated the flavor profile of Mexican chocolate using semisweet chocolate and cinnamon. If you prefer to use Mexican chocolate, look for it with the hot drink mixes or on the Hispanic food aisle. This moist pound cake is equally delicious without the sauce.

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Mama's German Chocolate Cake

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Mama's German Chocolate Cake

Bake a cake that would make mama proud. German chocolate cakes are known for being rich and indulgent, so enjoy a slice with a glass of milk.
 

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Chocolate Velvet Cupcakes

Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Chocolate Velvet Cupcakes

Chocolate Velvet Cupcakes are topped with a to-die-for Browned Butter-Cinnamon-Cream Cheese Frosting for an irresistible bite-sized dessert.

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Black Forest Pound Cake

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Black Forest Pound Cake

This decadent dessert is an easy, one-pan twist on the traditional layered cake.

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Decadent Chocolate-Espresso Cheesecake

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Decadent Chocolate-Espresso Cheesecake

Dessert and coffee all in one slice, this over-the-top cheesecake is a surefire crowd-pleaser. To garnish with chocolate shards, melt dark bittersweet chocolate, and spread it in a thin layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Let it stand until set, and break into pieces.

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Mexican Chocolate Pudding Cake

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Recipe: Mexican Chocolate Pudding Cake

A scoop of vanilla ice cream is an ideal mate for this warm, gooey spiced chocolate cake.

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White Chocolate Cranberry Cheesecake

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: White Chocolate Cranberry Cheesecake

This cake is the perfect ending to a meal—from the deep red cranberry topping to the velvety smooth comforting bites. 

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Chocolate Zucchini Cakes

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Chocolate Zucchini Cakes

Adding freshly grated zucchini to the batter yields luxuriously dense, moist results. The frosting sets up quickly, so prepare it after cooling the cakes.

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Cinderella Cheesecake

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Cinderella Cheesecake

A chewy ring of brownie-batter crust folds over creamy and luscious peanut butter cheesecake. Yes, please!

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