Chocolate cake recipe ideas that take the cake

Whether you’re celebrating a milestone or craving something out of the ordinary with your cup of tea, there’s no denying the joy that a chocolate cake brings. Add cacao powder or melted chocolate, olive oil or butter to your batter — they’re all winning combinations in our eyes.

We have a plethora of exquisite chocolate cake recipes for every baker, from easy-to-assemble chocolate cakes to tiered masterpieces. Whatever your abilities, one thing is clear: when it comes to chocolate cakes, one slice is never enough.

Discover a host of indulgent variations, like our easy chocolate cake with fudge icing, our chilli chocolate lava cake, Aaron Turner’s Mum’s chocolate ripple cake and our irresistible salted chocolate layer cake with whipped ganache — for those who want to take their chocolate cake recipes to the next level.

Our guide to how to make a chocolate mousse cake will have you baking every week, while our torta caprese is a simple chocolate cake recipe that’s low effort, maximum flavour. And although we always gush over the cake itself, a silky dark chocolate buttercream frosting, fudgy ganache or sweet icing can take a cake into another realm of decadence. Just be sure to let the cakes cool completely before icing for the best results!

Without further adieu, here is our collection of the best chocolate cake recipe ideas for any (and every) occasion.

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Fudgy chocolate-cherry cake

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Chocolate, apricot and rum pound cake

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Author Monique Foy Senior Content Producer

An English major with a penchant for anchovies on toast and the ocean, Monique Foy got her start at Gourmet Traveller after an existential crisis and career pivot. Originally a digital marketer at global media agencies and a stint as an SEO writer, Monique threw caution to the wind one Wednesday and decided to pursue her true passion – writing, of the food and drinks variety. Since then, she’s had her work published in Broadsheet and Urban List, and she joins Gourmet Traveller as Senior Content Producer with the intention to continue adding funky venues and quaint new wine bars to her growing iPhone notes section. Cin cin!

The Gourmet Traveller Team

Gourmet Traveller is Australia’s trusted authority on food, travel and luxury lifestyle, bringing the latest news and trends to life through quality journalism, enticing recipes and evocative photography. For more than 55 years, it has been inspiring and informing Australians with the best in cooking, dining, travelling and shopping. Our critics bring the expertise of years of critical eating, drinking and writing to the table. Plus, as the country’s leading title in the luxury sector, Gourmet Traveller works closely with Australia’s leaders in the travel and hospitality industries to give our readers exclusive access. The Gourmet Traveller legacy is one of trust, prestige and relevance.

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