23 Delish Chocolate Cake Recipes That Don't Disappoint

Our 23 chocolate cake recipes are all masterpieces. The question is, which will you try first? German chocolate cake, s'mores cake, or something else?

Bourbon-Chocolate Tipsy Cake
Photo: Kritsada Panichgul

Few desserts satisfy quite like homemade chocolate cake. We have something for everyone: a German chocolate cake recipe, a chocolate mug cake recipe, and our favorite flourless chocolate cake recipe (plus 28 others). So whether you're baking for a special occasion or an evening in, these chocolate cake recipes are sure to make it indulgent.

01 of 23

Best-Ever Chocolate Cake

Best-Ever Chocolate Cake
Blaine Moats

This recipe, first developed in 1952, has been perfected over the years into our best chocolate cake recipe ever. There are many ways to frost it, but we vote for our classic Chocolate-Sour Cream Frosting.

02 of 23

Dark Cocoa-Buttermilk Cake with Cocoa-Mascarpone Frosting

Dark Cocoa Buttermilk Cake with Cocoa Mascarpone Frosting
Karla Conrad

Dark Dutch process cocoa is known for its deep brown color and full flavor. In this chocolate sheet cake recipe, it's mixed with buttermilk for an incredibly rich chocolate cake.

03 of 23

Gluten-Free Chocolate Cupcakes

Gluten-Free Chocolate Cupcakes with spoon
Blaine Moats

Use this gluten-free chocolate cake recipe to create individual eggless treats the entire party can enjoy. Skip the chocolate ganache topping or use a vegan chocolate ganache to turn these cupcakes into a vegan chocolate cake recipe.

04 of 23

Bourbon-Chocolate Tipsy Cake

Bourbon-Chocolate Tipsy Cake
Kritsada Panichgul

Espresso deepens the chocolaty flavor in this rich fluted bundt cake. This chocolate cake recipe with coffee is ideal as a breakfast cake or a buzzy after-dinner treat.

05 of 23

Black Bean Chocolate Cake

Black Bean Chocolate Cake
Jacob Fox

It's delicious. It's pretty. It's even—healthy. Yes, this homemade chocolate cake recipe clocks in at only 200 calories a slice. And no, it doesn't taste like black beans.

06 of 23

Double-Chocolate Cake

Double Chocolate Cake
Andy Lyons

When you make a chocolate cake recipe from scratch, it better be worth the effort. This decadent cake oozes chocolaty goodness and is worth every minute.

07 of 23

One-Bowl Chocolate S'More Cake

One-Bowl Chocolate S'more Cake
Jason Donnelly

This dessert is all about the toppings. Fluffy marshmallow creme and crushed graham crackers cover the moist chocolate cake. It's a perfect cake choice for kids and kids at heart.

08 of 23

Mini Flourless Chocolate Cakes

Mini Flourless Chocolate Cakes
Jason Donnelly

With ten easy ingredients, a delightful soufflé-like texture, and indulgent chocolate ganache, this simple chocolate cake recipe is a chocolate lover's dream.

09 of 23

Chocolate-Lover's Cake

Chocolate Lover's Cake
Blaine Moats

A heavenly chocolate butter frosting tops this easy chocolate cake recipe for double the chocolate. For the swirled appearance you see here, the only utensil you need is a spoon.

10 of 23

Dark Chocolate Cake with Coconut-Macaroon Filling

Dark Chocolate Cake with Coconut Macaroon Filling
Jason Donnelly

This moist cake has a secret ingredient: bourbon. It adds a richness you wouldn't get otherwise. But the star of this dark chocolate cake recipe is the coconut filling. Yum.

11 of 23

Chocolate-Cherry Stack Cake

Chocolate Cherry Stack Cake
Andy Lyons

A creamy layer of cherry-flavor frosting between each tier of rich chocolate cake makes this dessert unforgettable. Chocolate-covered cherries are a gorgeous topper.

12 of 23

Chocolate-Hazelnut-Bacon Layer Cake

Chocolate-Hazelnut Bacon Layer Cake
Karla Conrad

Chocolate, hazelnut, and bacon—what else could you want from a chocolate layer cake recipe? A bacon-and-hazelnut filling lies between two layers of decadent chocolate cake.

13 of 23

Choco-Zucchini Cupcakes

Choco-Zucchini Cupcakes
Jay Wilde

Topped with creamy peanut butter frosting and loaded with rich cocoa and milk chocolate pieces, you'll never guess vegetables are hiding in this deliciously moist chocolate-zucchini cake recipe.

14 of 23

Dark Chocolate-Raspberry Cakes

Dark Chocolate-Raspberry Cakes recipe drizzle wire rack
Blaine Moats

The made-for-each-other pairing of raspberries and dark chocolate inspires this mini chocolate cake recipe. And because you bake them in muffin tins, they're easy to make too.

15 of 23

German Chocolate Cake

German Chocolate Cake
Peter Krumhardt

It's hard to beat a classic—especially when that classic is a mouthwatering German chocolate cake recipe made with chopped pecans.

16 of 23

One-Bowl Chocolate Cake

Chocolate Cake with powdered sugar dusting
Andy Lyons

Just toss everything in a bowl and bake this chocolaty cake. OK, there's slightly more to it than that, but not much! This simple chocolate cake recipe is super easy and even more delicious.

17 of 23

Brownie Pudding Cake

Brownie Pudding Cake
Jason Donnelly

The secret's out: Some of us love cake batter more than the cake itself. This chocolate pudding cake recipe is part fluffy cake and part gooey pudding, so there's no need to compromise. Spoon it into bowls and serve with ice cream.

18 of 23

Chocolaty Harvest Fruit-Topped Cake

Chocolaty Harvest Fruit-Topped Cake
Andy Lyons

This homemade chocolate cake recipe is overflowing with chocolate pieces and slices of fresh fruit. Spices like black pepper and nutmeg add complexity, while layers of fruit and caramel sauce sweeten the deal.

19 of 23

Double-Layer White Chocolate Cake

Double-Layer White Chocolate Cake
Kritsada Panichgul

A chocolate birthday cake recipe doesn't always have to be dark or milk chocolate. Our white chocolate cake recipe boasts two layers of cake with a white chocolate frosting spread in the middle.

20 of 23

Dark Chocolate Cake with Fresh Strawberry Buttercream

Dark Chocolate Cake with Fresh Strawberry Buttercream
Jennifer Davick

This dark chocolate cake recipe is sweetened with a buttercream frosting made with fresh strawberries and vanilla beans to accent the cake's rich dark chocolate layers.

21 of 23

Flourless Chocolate-Lime Cake

Flourless Chocolate Lime Cake
David Loftus

This flourless chocolate cake recipe is spiked with lime and served with tequila-infused cream. Almond meal helps give it structure in the absence of flour.

22 of 23

Butterscotch Marble Cake

Butterscotch Marble Cake
Blaine Moats

You can't beat the simplicity of chocolate cake mix recipes for an easy yet impressive birthday cake. This chocolate pudding cake recipe starts with a boxed cake mix and butterscotch pudding mix. A rich, chocolaty icing adds a sweet finishing touch.

23 of 23

Whole Wheat Chocolate-Blueberry Cake

Whole Wheat Chocolate-Blueberry Cake
Andy Lyons

An easy sauce of blended blueberries and light whipped dessert topping dresses up this decadent chocolate cake recipe made from scratch.

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