A very chocolatey, moist Chocolate Fudge Cake that is similar to chocolate mud cake, but not as dense. Made with both melted chocolate and cocoa, AND topped with chocolate ganache, this one is sure to satisfying your chocolate cravings!
Super easy to make, very forgiving, no stand mixer or beater. Just one bowl and a wooden spoon!
Chocolate Fudge Cake
I may be disowned as an Australian for saying this, but I’m not the hugest fan of classic Chocolate Mud Cake. I find it too dense and doughy, and it gets stuck to the roof of my mouth. It’s very……erm…..mud-like.
Duh.
Creative writing isn’t my forte, is it?? Hey – I’m a food blogger. Not a writer! 😂
So this isn’t a classic Chocolate Mud Cake because it has a bit of lift in it, but it is still way fudgier and mud-cake like than 99% of other chocolate cakes, including my own everyday Chocolate Cake. Call it a Chocolate Fudge MUD CAKE if you want!! (Bit too much of a mouthful for me…. 🙂 )
Why I love this fudge cake so much
I know there are a LOT of chocolate cake recipes “out there”. But here’s why I love this Easy Chocolate Fudge Cake so much:
It’s intensely chocolatey – thanks to the use of both melted chocolate AND cocoa powder.
Beautifully moist and fudgy – hence the name!
Terrific flavour. It truly tastes of chocolate which, as odd as it sounds, is actually rarer than you might think.
You just need a wooden spoon. No stand mixer, no electric beater.
It’s virtually foolproof. I’ve cooked it on high for shorter periods of time, and low for longer. I’ve had to dash out of the house before it was fully cooked and left it in the oven (turned off) to finish cooking. And it always works out. Why? Because it’s so fudgey, it is actually hard to overcook so it becomes dry and it is not meant to rise very much so you don’t have to worry about that part either!
The Chocolate Ganache Frosting is crazy easy too. Cream + chocolate, melt, mix, cool. No beating!
Everyone goes mad over this. Chocolate on chocolate. Enough said!
How to make this fudgy moist cake
You would be forgiven for thinking you’re making a brownie when you start making this Chocolate Fudge Cake. Because that is in fact where the roots of this cake recipe is drawn from.
Did you know… The reason you see hot water in chocolate cake recipes is because it makes the cocoa “bloom”, making the cake taste more like chocolate!
↑↑↑ Crackage is normal! It’s kind of like that crinkly top of brownies – because this cake has lift in it from baking powder, it “bursts” through the crinkly top. But don’t worry, the cracks are less prominent once it cools (because it sinks a bit) and it’s completely hidden under Chocolate Ganache!
Difference between chocolate fudge cake and mud cake
I had someone on Instagram asking me what the difference is between Fudge Cake and Mud Cake so I thought I’d explain!! Chocolate mud cake is so dense that it cuts cleanly with perfect edges and virtually no crumbs.
In contrast, fudge cakes have more of a cake-like texture, like what you see in the close up of the slice at the top of this post.
Chocolate Ganache Frosting
I’m of the opinion that if we’re going to make a Fudgy Chocolate Cake, let’s really drive home the decadence and chocolate flavour by frosting it with chocolate ganache.
If you’re new to Chocolate Ganche, you’re going to really love this. Rather than beating icing sugar and butter for ages and ages like we do with Chocolate Buttercream, Chocolate Ganache is made simply with cream and chocolate that’s heated until the chocolate melts.
When hot, it’s a chocolate sauce you want to pour over everything.
When it cools, it has the consistency of peanut butter. Easy to spread and swirl on your cakes or cupcakes, and everything in between.
My everyday Chocolate Cake is beautifully moist and it’s the one I make most often.
But I figure we all need a blow out Chocolate Cake in our repertoire too. And this Easy Chocolate Fudge Cake is my blow-out Chocolate Cake recipe. It is rich. It is chocolatey. It is moist and fudgy. And I absolutely love it.
I hope you consider trying it! – Nagi x
Get your chocolate fix!
Everyday Chocolate Cake – try it decorated with Mirror Glaze!
Chocolate Cream Pie (outrageous!!!)
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
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Easy Chocolate Fudge Cake
Ingredients
- 125g / 4 oz dark chocolate chips (Note 1)
- 100g / 7 tbsp butter , salted (or unsalted butter + 1/4 tsp salt)
- 1 1/4 cups white sugar , caster / superfine best (Note 2)
- 1/4 cup oil (vegetable, canola)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 eggs , at room temperature
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder (Note 3)
- 1 cup flour , plain / all purpose (Note 4)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup boiling hot water
- 1 tbsp coffee granules , optional (Note 5)
Ganache
- 1 cup heavy / thickened cream , 30%+ fat (Note 6)
- 250g / 8 oz dark chocolate chips (Note 1)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 150C/300F (standard) or 130C/265F (fan). Grease a 22 cm / 9″ springform cake pan and line with parchment / baking paper.
- Melt butter and chocolate: Place butter and chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Microwave 3 x 30 seconds on high, mix in between, until melted. Mix.
- Oil, vanilla & Sugar: Add oil, vanilla and sugar, mix to combine (this brings down batter temp).
- Eggs: Add eggs and mix until combined.
- Dry Ingredients: Sift cocoa, baking powder and flour (and coffee, if using) directly into the bowl. Mix until smooth, batter will be thin. Some small lumps is ok.
- Hot water: Add hot water. Mix until incorporated.
- Bake: Pour into the cake tin and bake for 1 hour or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out moist but clean. Check at 50 minutes. The surface will crack (sometimes badly!) but sill subside when it cools and gets covered with frosting so don’t stress!
- Cool: Remove sides from the cake pan and transfer to a cooling rack to cool. Cool completely before carefully handling to remove base (Note 7).
Ganache (Note 8)
- Place chocolate and cream in a heatproof bowl. Microwave 3 x 30 seconds, mixing in between, until chocolate melts. DO NOT let cream come to boil.
- Stir chocolate until smooth. Refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours or until thickened to a spreadable consistency like peanut butter.
- Spread over the cake – tops and sides. Use a teaspoon in a swirling motion to achieve the textured surface you see in the photos.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Chocolate Fudge Cake recipe published May 2016. Recipe slightly updated November 2018 with improved cake texture and a more streamlined process. New photos, new video, new words!
Let them eat cake! 10 classic cake recipes
LIFE OF DOZER
I shooed him outside thinking that brown smear on his head was 💩
Turns out it was ganache 😂 It was driving him crazy trying to figure out a way to get to it! {PS No I never give him chocolate! I have no idea how it got there}
Hi Nagi!
I am no “baker” but I’m going to try this on Saturday. It is my little girl’s birthday on Sunday and I’m so looking forward trying it!
Greetings from SA!
Oooh! I hope you do try it! And G’day right back to you, all the way from Australia! N x
HI nAGI
IS IT HALF THE CHOCOLATE IN THE PAN AND THEN HALF THE CHOCOLATE FOR THE GRAN-ACHE ?
HI Chris! Nope there’s a section for ingredients for the cake and for the Ganache 🙂
I read it last night and couldn’t wait to make the cake this morning. Want to hear about the good sides? All in one pot cake? So simple, that you have to read twice to make sure that is that simple? And sooo delicious! My husband ate wee more than he wanted to 😉 I said to him, don’t worry, this one won’t make any belly fat, this one sticks to your soul 🙂
Truth to be said, I almost halved the sugar and omitted the oil, but hey, 60 ml of something has to go in, so there it was, 60 ml of pink rum 🙂 weee!
… and bad sides? Erm… none?! Haha, Nagi, you did it again 🙂
Thank you for this great recipe, we did and indeed needed it. Greetings from other half of the world, say hi to Croatia! 🙂
YAY!!! So glad you enjoyed this Mari – and thank you SO MUCH for coming back to let me know!! N x PS Croatia? Oooh!!! I’ve never been! It is ON MY LIST!!! 🙂
I so love a one pot cake. They are just the perfect dessert. This looks completely deliciopus and right up my alley.
One pot and one bowl!! 😉 Hope you’re well Tania! N x
I am in a chocolate coma trance after watching your video. Seriously! why did I decide to read your blog post right before going to bed hungry. I think I might be doing a little midnight baking. I bet Kevin loved being the QA analyst food tester.. I seriously know exactly what you mean about measurements and the issues between weighing and measuring can be a real maddening challenge, Glad to hear this cake is so forgiving. Have a super weekend!
OMG I have in a chocolate hell every time I make this, it is absolute TORTURE. So. Much. Chocolate.
Oh My Lord! I don’t know what to type Nagi, because I just want to have this cake!
You know you need it in your life! 🙂
Oh this is exactly what I need!!!!
This looks like the kind of cake that serves 12 or 1 with a broken heart!
Pass me the plate, a spoon and a glass of milk!!!
YUM!
OR two very hungry food bloggers??? 😉
Wow. This looks stunning!!! I’m going to have to make this. My oven does temperamental things and to find a cake recipe that is forgiving and foolproof is good for me. Bad for my hips, but good for me. 😀
I’ll bring one round for you when I’m next out your way 😉
I am going to hold you to this!!! 🙂
Feeling so sick at the moment. Not eating very much. Can’t wait to feel better so I can make this glorious cake and share it with all my neighbours!
Oh no, you poor thing! what’s wrong??
Nothing serious – just a really bad cold that is exacerbated by the free flu shot that my organisation offered to its employees. I’m all good but am low on energy and have lost my appetite. I’ll be fine in a few days. How’s your jetlag going? Hope you feel energised again soon! Sounds like you had an amazing trip and fun fun times!
PS – I was too mesmerized by the cake making process that I didn’t actually notice your gorgeous baby hands. :-p
You know how teeny and pudgy my hands ACTUALLY are…. 😉
Looks scrumptious, Nagi!
Thanks hun!
Love the look of this. I am a bad baker but will try this for my sons birthday cake. He wants Minecraft theme so this cut into squares will work. Do you think I could make the Ganache out of white chocolate and add green food dye to make it look like grass? Thank you as always. 🙂
I am not the best baker either Sherri! that’s why you won’t see any fancy fiddly baking things on here 🙂 I like risk-free baking! To make this with white chocolate ganache, please use 200ml of heavy pouring cream with 400 grams of white melting chocolate (white chocolate sets differently to dark choc 🙂 ) Hope your son has a great birthday! N x
Thank you very much. I will email pictures in a few weeks time when its his birthday.
Does this cake freeze?
Yes it does! 🙂 I freeze it either uncovered until hard, then wrap tightly in plastic, or I place it in a container to freeze (sometimes it is too big to fit in my freezer!)
OK, so let me tell you that there are no more slices of this beauty left in my kitchen. Don’t tell Dave, but I had the last slice last night after he went to bed! You were probably flying by then, well on your way, and as I ate the last forkful I thanked you. Did you hear me?
This was beyond chocolatey everyone, I could face plant the ganache alone. While Nagi was making it in my kitchen (did I just type that? we had so much fun!) I just loved her enthusiasm for this one. She wanted a U.S. testing and we had some friends over who dove right in. Luckily there was some leftover for us after we got home shopping for food props.
This is a keeper as are you my friend. xoxo
If I remember correctly, you grabbed the spatula and dug into both the BATTER and ganache bowls?? 😉 Thank you so much again for inviting me into your lovely home and sharing a glimpse into your life!!! I had the MOST wonderful time. I still cannot get over your amazing empanadas (I swear I dreamt about them on the flight home), those carnitas (I just dribbled), the fish tacos (trying to figure out how soon I can post them), homemade tortillas (my press is washed and ready to go!), the beautiful hike, all the LAUGHTER and just wandering around your neighbourhood!!! I can’t wait until I can do the same for YOU and DAVE!!! Please give the pups a huge hug for me, I miss y’all! N x
Yum!Yum!Yum! I don’t eat chocolate often, but I do like it every now and then and this sounds perfect! And who wants to eat mud?? I’ve outgrown that by quite a few years 🙂 Great recipe. Have a wonderful weekend.
I’m with you Marisa! I must admit that I crave savoury more than I do sweet 🙂 I hope you have a wonderful weekend too! Up to anything special? N x
That cake looks like it needs to be in my belly! Absolutely delectable. I hadn’t heard of mud cake – sounds pretty dense!!
Could you move a wee bit closer to me so I can express courier it to you?? 😉 Have a wonderful weekend Barb!
Sure, no prob, Nagi! 😀 You enjoy your weekend, too!
I haven’t had a rich chocolate cake in ages, and your gorgeous post has me craving one!!
My friend’s son ordered the mud cake at Michelle’s Patisserie the other week and I stole a (big) bite, that’s what reminded me to make this!!! I don’t make chocolate cake often myself either 🙂 Just for special occasions!!!
Nagi, I’m thinking am gonna give up my 2 jobs and take the place of that homeless guy at your dog park – because darn – I get to eat THIS cake! It looks amazing – love this fudgey, dense cake! And YOU are Kevin’s guest!! So cool!!! So when are you coming to the east coast to be my guest?
🙂
hope y’all enjoy your weekend!
BA HA HA!!! Remind me where you are Shashi? I think I will be BACK sooner than I expect!!!
Nagi – I’m in Atlanta, Georgia! BTW – is that East coast conference still happening?
Four words I love: Easy. Chocolate. Fudge. Cake. All rolled into one lovely recipe. Beautiful cake! And I love the section for food nerds. That would be me.
Fellow Food Nerds unite!!! 🙂 I know you “get” it, as someone who has lived ALL over the world, I know you appreciate the difference in measures!! N x
Me too! food nerds unite! with cake of course.
This is why I ❤️ you 🙂
I’ll second that!
Hi Nagi! You are becoming quite the baker my friend! And your timing is spot on, it’s Gary’s birthday today!! 🙂 Hope you had a smooth flight home! Have a relaxing weekend!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO GARY!!! If I had known, I would have put birthday candles on this cake!!! 🙂
Hi Nagi! I thought I replied back last night but sometimes it’s difficult to remember! (Old age). I think if I put 71 candles on this cake the ganache would slide off in a puddle! 🙂
Dorothy, you crack me up! You’re GOLD!! 🙂
A fudgier version sound so good, looks so yummy. And ganache is just one of my favorite words and foods 😀
Ganache is my life blood….(I wish!)
Wow! That looks like an amazing giant, frosted brownie cake! I’m going to pretend I didn’t see the nutrition facts… 😉
What nutrition?? 😉