Chocolate Fudge Layer Cake

Chocolate Fudge Layer Cake with Vanilla Cream Filling

A rich, moist chocolate layer cake filled with smooth vanilla cream and finished with a glossy chocolate ganache. Classic bakery style with deep cocoa flavor and soft, tender crumb.

Ingredients

• Chocolate cake layers

• All purpose flour 240 g
• Unsweetened cocoa powder 75 g
• Granulated sugar 300 g
• Baking powder 2 teaspoons
• Baking soda 1½ teaspoons
• Salt 1 teaspoon
• Eggs 3 large room temperature
• Whole milk 240 ml
• Vegetable oil 120 ml
• Vanilla extract 2 teaspoons
• Hot brewed coffee or hot water 240 ml

• Vanilla cream filling

• Unsalted butter softened 120 g
• Cream cheese softened 200 g
• Powdered sugar 180 g
• Vanilla extract 2 teaspoons
• Heavy cream 120 ml cold

• Chocolate ganache topping

• Dark chocolate finely chopped 250 g
• Heavy cream 200 ml
• Unsalted butter 30 g

• Optional garnish

• Chocolate shavings 30 g
• Fresh mint leaves for decoration

Preparation

Prepare the cake layers

Preheat oven to 175°C

Grease and line two 20 cm round cake pans

In a large bowl whisk flour cocoa powder sugar baking powder baking soda and salt

Add eggs milk oil and vanilla and mix until smooth

Slowly pour in hot coffee and mix until batter is thin and glossy

Divide batter evenly between pans

Bake 30 to 35 minutes until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs

Cool in pans 10 minutes then turn out and cool completely

Prepare the vanilla cream filling

Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth and fluffy

Add powdered sugar and vanilla and mix until fully combined

Whip heavy cream separately to soft peaks

Fold whipped cream gently into the cream cheese mixture

Refrigerate 20 minutes to firm slightly

Prepare the ganache

Heat heavy cream until just beginning to steam

Pour over chopped chocolate and butter

Let stand 2 minutes then stir until smooth and glossy

Cool slightly until thick but pourable

Assemble the cake

Level cake layers if needed

Place one layer on a serving plate

Spread an even layer of vanilla cream filling

Top with second cake layer and press gently

Pour ganache over the top letting it drip naturally down the sides

Decoration and serving

Sprinkle chocolate shavings on top

Add a small mint leaf for contrast if desired

Chill 30 minutes before slicing for clean layers

Storage tips

Store covered in the refrigerator up to 4 days

Bring to room temperature 20 minutes before serving for best texture