This moist, easy chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting settles the question: is chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting good? The verdict is in – this triple layer Philadelphia cream cheese chocolate cake is a winner for any chocolate lover!
And if you’re loving the best chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting recipe, you’ve got to try my Chocolate Orange Cake, my Chocolate Olive Oil Cake with Crystallized Ginger, and my Vegan Gingerbread Loaf Cake!
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Moist Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
I'm so excited to share this easy chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting with you! This recipe is based on my Chocolate Spice Cake, which is another chocolate layer cake with gingerbread spices and molasses! This recipe is perfect for a holiday, a birthday celebration, a special occasion, or any day you want a treat! It's also a good recipe for beginner bakers, because the rich chocolate cake layers can be mixed up by hand!
Is Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Good?
If you're wondering, "can I add cream cheese in chocolate cake?" you should know it's the BEST combo! The rich, dark chocolate flavor of this cake is offset with the creamy, tangy cream cheese frosting so perfectly. Cream cheese frosting is my favorite type of frosting, and it complements this cake so well!
What is the best combination for chocolate cake?
This moist, rich cake combines a dark chocolate cake base and my go-to cream cheese frosting -- here's what you'll need:
- granulated sugar - adds the perfect amount of sweetness to this chocolate cake!
- all-purpose flour - be sure to measure your flour with a kitchen scale for accuracy, or use the spoon-and-level method.
- Dutch-process unsweetened cocoa powder - adding Dutch process cocoa powder adds a rich chocolate flavor to this chocolate cake!
- baking powder & baking soda - these leavening agents help give our cake a nice lift and fluffy texture.
- salt - perfect for bringing out all the deep chocolate flavors!
- vegetable oil - the secret to a moist cake! Using vegetable oil also makes our Philadelphia cream cheese chocolate cake so easy to mix up!
- eggs - make sure your eggs are at room temperature before mixing them in.
- buttermilk - I especially love using buttermilk for a moist, tender cake! If you don't have buttermilk, check below for a substitute!
- pure vanilla extract - for the best flavor, be sure to use a high-quality pure vanilla extract. Also, check out my post on how to make vanilla extract at home with just 2 ingredients!
- hot coffee - a substitute for hot water, some piping hot coffee is a secret ingedient that deepens the chocolate flavor of this cake!
And we'll top it all with the best cream cheese frosting for chocolate cake!
- cream cheese - make sure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature for your cream cheese frosting -- it shouldn't be so soft as to be mushy or melty, but soft enough to easily be indented with a finger.
- salted butter - I like to use salted butter, but if you use unsalted butter you can just add in ½ teaspoon of salt.
- pure vanilla extract - I love the richness of vanilla in this cream cheese frosting!
- powdered sugar - we'll use sifted powdered sugar to add sweetness and texture to our cream cheese frosting!
Equipment
To make this recipe for moist chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting, you'll need three 8-inch cake pans -- you can also use 9-inch cake pans, but the cake will bake a bit more quickly. I also recommend a kitchen scale to measure your flour and powdered sugar, and an electric mixer to whip up your cream cheese frosting!
I also like to use a large mixing bowl, rubber spatula and whisk for mixing the batter, and an offset spatula to spread on your frosting!
How to Make Triple Layer Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Check the recipe card below for detailed instructions, but here are the steps to make this Philadelphia cream cheese chocolate cake!
Whisk together dry ingredients in a large bowl.
Add oil and stir until dry mixture is saturated.
Stir in buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla.
Pour in hot coffee and stir until combined.
Pour batter into prepared cake pans and bake!
Spread cream cheese buttercream over cooled chocolate cake layers.
Hint: To ensure even cake layers, use a kitchen scale to weigh your cake batter once it's in the cake pans, to make sure that they each contain an equal amount of batter!
Substitutions
- Buttermilk Substitute - Measure out 1 cup of whole milk and replace 1 tablespoon of it with lemon juice or vinegar. Then let it sit a few minutes and add it in to your chocolate cake batter!
- Vegan Option - I haven't tried this cake with vegan substitutes yet, unfortunately. However, if you try it I would recommend trying it out with this egg replacer, and substitute the buttermilk for plant-based milk (create a buttermilk substitute with the tip above!). And you can also make your own vegan cream cheese buttercream with a recipe like this one!
Variations
You can easily make your own customizations to this triple layer chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting!
- Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting - my favorite way to take cream cheese frosting to the next level is to use browned butter instead of regular butter -- just be sure to chill it so that it hardens back up, then bring it to room temperature before adding it in.
- Oreo chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting - add Oreo chunks to the cake batter and the frosting for a cookies and cream cake!
- Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting - replace ¾ cup of the powdered sugar in the frosting with cocoa powder for even more rich chocolate flavor!
And be sure to check out my Mini Chocolate Cake for a small batch cake that you'll love, or my Chocolate Sour Cream Pound Cake for another decadent treat! And if you're in the mood for chocolate cupcakes, try these Galaxy Cupcakes!
Storage
Store this delicious cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Then to serve, cut individual slices and let them come to room temperature.
Also, this moist chocolate cake freezes very well -- it's best frozen in individual slices to make thawing easier. First, place slices in the freezer until frozen solid, then wrap in plastic wrap and then in heavy duty foil. Then freeze for up to two months and thaw, uncovered, at room temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! The decadent cream cheese frosting recipe below in the recipe card is so versatile! You can frost this easy chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting, or you can use it on vanilla cake or carrot cake!
Personally, I prefer to frost this triple layer chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting because of the added tangy flavor! 
The trick is to do what we did in this recipe -- add hot coffee! The hot liquid "blooms" the cocoa powder, deepening the chocolate flavor. Plus, the coffee flavor is the perfect complement to the chocolate flavor in the cake, making it even richer and more delicious!
Top tip
Don't overmix! Mix your cake batter just until everything is combined to ensure a moist, tender cake.
If you try this recipe, I would love it if you could leave a star review rating and comment below! It’s so wonderful hearing your feedback! And don’t forget to share your creations with me by tagging @chenee_today on Instagram!
📖 Recipe
Equipment you may need
Ingredients
- baking spray
- 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (85 g) unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon (6 g) baking powder
- ½ teaspoon (2 g) baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon (5 g) salt
- ¾ cup (177 ml) vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs - room temperature
- 2 teaspoon (10 ml) pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup (237 ml) buttermilk - room temperature
- 1 cup (237 ml) hot brewed coffee
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 12 oz (340 g) full-fat cream cheese - room temperature
- ¾ cup (170 g) salted butter - room temperature
- 2 teaspoon (10 ml) pure vanilla extract
- 5-6 cups (600 g) powdered sugar - sifted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper and spray with baking spray.baking spray
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.2 cups all-purpose flour, ¾ cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder, 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ¾ teaspoon salt, 2 cups granulated sugar
- Stir in vegetable oil until dry ingredients are well coated, followed by eggs and vanilla.¾ cup vegetable oil, 2 large eggs, 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Stir in buttermilk until combined, then carefully pour in hot coffee and stir until smooth.1 cup buttermilk, 1 cup hot brewed coffee
- Add batter evenly to prepared cake pans and bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick entered into the center of the cakes comes out smooth or with moist crumbs.
- Cool cake layers slightly in cake pans, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before adding frosting.
Cream Cheese Frosting
- Beat softened butter and softened cream cheese in a bowl until smooth. Add vanilla extract and mix well.12 oz full-fat cream cheese, ¾ cup salted butter, 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Gradually add powdered sugar while mixing on low until combined, starting at 5 cups and adding up to 6 cups total if needed for desired consistency. Turn speed to high and mix another 2 minutes.5-6 cups powdered sugar
- Spread frosting over cooled cake layers.
Video
Notes
- Buttermilk Substitute - Measure out 1 cup of whole milk and replace 1 tablespoon of it with lemon juice or vinegar. Then let it sit a few minutes and add it in to your chocolate cake batter!
- Vegan Option - I haven't tried this cake with vegan substitutes yet, unfortunately. However, if you try it I would recommend trying it out with this egg replacer, and substitute the buttermilk for plant-based milk (create a buttermilk substitute with the tip above!). And you can also make your own vegan cream cheese buttercream with a recipe like this one!
- Brown Butter Cream Cheese Frosting - my favorite way to take cream cheese frosting to the next level is to use browned butter instead of regular butter -- just be sure to chill it so that it hardens back up, then bring it to room temperature before adding it in.
- Oreo chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting - add Oreo chunks to the cake batter and the frosting for a cookies and cream cake!
- Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting - replace ¾ cup of the powdered sugar in the frosting with cocoa powder for even more rich chocolate flavor!
Nutrition
Last Updated on July 2, 2023 by Chenée Lewis
Sara
Hey, it's me again. I was going to make this today for a birthday. I was thinking about using half of the black dutch cocoa and half just unsweetened hersheys cocoa, just so it isn't so rich. Do you think that will work out ok? I appreciate your advice!
Sara
Chenée Lewis
That should work out great! I hope you love the cake -- have fun at the birthday celebration!
Sara
Thank you so much!
Sara
I’m so frustrated. I’ve now made this twice. I weighed all ingredients, and both times I’m hesitant to add the coffee bc it’s already pretty thin, but I added all the coffee and it was like total liquid. I seriously can not figure it out.
Chenée Lewis
Hi Sara! I think part of the issue may have been an error I made in entering the gram conversion for the cocoa powder -- I just noticed it should have said 85 grams instead of 65. I fixed it now, so sorry about the mistake! That should help thicken your batter a bit, but it will still be a pretty thin batter before baking.
Sara
Thank you so much, I thought I was losing my mind! I bought the cocoa that the link sent me too, and it’s black cocoa. Will that make a difference?
Chenée Lewis
That's the kind I used for this cake! It's a deeper cocoa flavor and color.
Amanda Wren-Grimwood
Can't beat a good chocolate cake and I absolutely love the cream cheese frosting!
Chenée Lewis
So glad you liked it!
Katherine
This wonderfully moist chocolate cake is perfect with the cream cheese frosting! Yum!
Chenée Lewis
Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it!
Beth
That cream cheese frosting is out of this world good! So creamy and smooth.
Chenée Lewis
Thank you! That's the best part 🙂
Jacqueline Debono
My hubby is a big chocolate cake fan and I enjoy trying new recipes for him. This chocolate cake was a real hit and the cream cheese frosting super good!
Chenée Lewis
Yay! I'm glad you both liked it!
Ieva
After trying your chocolate olive cake, I simply had to try this one too! And now I cannot decide which one I like better. This recipe was just as good: so moist and fluffy, and the frosting was also delightful (just the right amount of it too!). Great recipe as always!
Chenée Lewis
Great to hear that you liked them both! Thanks!
gunjan
The texture and the taste of this cake was so perfect. The cream cheese frosting was love by all of us. Overall a great cake recipe and a must bake.
Chenée Lewis
So glad you all loved it! Thank you!
Toni
Oh wow!! This cake is totally irresistible! Everyone loved it!
Chenée Lewis
Yay! Great to hear that!
Dannii
This was the perfect chocolate cake. Went down very well at a birthday party.
Chenée Lewis
I'm so glad to hear it!
Katherine
Such a beautifully moist and rich chocolate cake!
Chenée Lewis
Thank you so much! It's my favorite.
Amanda Wren-Grimwood
This cake was so easy to make and perfect with the cream cheese frosting. It's a real show stopper for a celebration cake too.
Chenée Lewis
I agree! Glad you liked it!