45 Chocolate Cakes That Get Better With Each Bite

If you're a chocolate enthusiast, this list is for you.

Southern Living Chocolate Birthday Cake sliced to serve
Photo:

Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

If you think the first bite of chocolate cake is the best, then you haven't tried these irresistible delights. Covered with frostings and drizzles and enhanced with special, chocolate-boosting ingredients, these chocolate cakes reveal their rich and nuanced flavors more and more with each bite. From our Classic Pound Cake to the surprisingly delicious Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake, these treats are made for anyone who loves a decadent dessert.

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Cookies And Cream Cake

cookies and cream cake on a cake stand

Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Ali Ramee; Prop Styling: Christine Kelly

In this recipe, rich, dark chocolate cake layers are sandwiched with a light meringue-based buttercream studded with chocolate sandwich cookies. It's truly heavenly.

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Baby Bourbon-Chocolate Bombes

Southern Living Baby Bourbon-Chocolate Bombes on a platter ready to serve

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Shell Royster 

Cold brew concentrate is the secret ingredient that helps make these mini cakes extra rich and chocolaty.

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Kathleen Varner

One of our favorite flavors to pair with chocolate is peanut butter, and if you try these delightful and moist chocolate cupcakes, you'll see why.

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Raspberry Molten Chocolate Cake

Southern Living Raspberry Molten Chocolate Cake

Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Think of this cake as a large format lava cake. It's perfect for serving a crowd and doesn't require you to have individual ramekins on hand.

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Texas Sheet Cake With Fudge Icing

Texas Sheet Cake With Fudge Icing

Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Karen Rankin, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

The batter for this classic Texan speciality includes one surprising ingredient...Dr.Pepper! The soda imparts a unique flavor you just can't get from anything else.

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Chocolate Mayonnaise Sheet Cake

chocolate mayonnaise sheet cake

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Yes, you read that right. Mayo is the secret to an ultra moist chocolate cake, and don't worry, you won't be able to taste the condiment in the final product.

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Flourless Chocolate Cake

Southern Living Flourless Chocolate Cake sliced and ready to serve

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

No flour? No problem. This crowd-pleasing cake is perfect for serving at dinner parties where guests might have a whole range of dietary restrictions, including gluten sensitivities or allergies.

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Peanut Butter Molten Chocolate Cake

Southern Living Peanut Butter Lava Cake

Greg Dupree, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

This cake features a gooey, molten peanut butter center. Need we say more?

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Chocolate Birthday Cake

Southern Living Chocolate Birthday Cake sliced to serve

Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

We can't think of a better way to celebrate a birthday than with this cake. Soft layers of fudgy chocolate cake are coated in a intense chocolate buttercream, for a homemade treat everyone will adore.

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Devil's Food Cake with Salted Peanut Butter Frosting and Ganache

Devil’s Food Cake with Salted Peanut Butter Frosting and Ganache

Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl Jones

Although this might not be your classic devil's food cake, our peanut butter twist on the traditional recipe is well worth trying. Even if just for the gorgeous chocolate ganache.

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Classic Chocolate Pound Cake

Chocolate Pound Cake
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Heather Chadduck; Food Styling: Erin Merhar

A love letter to chocolate, this decadent chocolate pound cake is one of our favorites. It only takes 30 minutes of hands-on time in the kitchen, it's moist and will feed your whole dinner party (and then some). Top with powdered sugar, or serve with ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream and berries.

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Chocolate Pudding Cake

Southern Living Chocolate Pudding Cake scooped out on plates to serve with ice cream

Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Fudgy and rich, this scrumptious chocolate pudding cake is for those who love licking the bowl when making brownies. Though we recommend eating it when it's fresh out of the oven, you can store it in the fridge for up to five days and reheat it in the microwave.

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Chocolate Strawberry Cake

Chocolate Strawberry Cake
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Melissa Gray; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Rich chocolate and sweet strawberries join forces to create this blissful cake. If you love chocolate-covered strawberries, you'll absolutely adore this layered cake. Plus, you can bake the layers a day in advance to save you some prep time on the day of your event. You can always put plain strawberries on top, but to take it up a notch, dip the strawberries in chocolate.

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Chocolate Bundt Cake

Chocolate Bundt Cake
Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Torie Cox; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

If you're looking to amaze a crowd yet short on time, make this stunning Chocolate Bundt Cake. This cake is made with boxed cake and brownie mixes, meaning you'll only be in the kitchen for 25 minutes. Although the pansies aren't required, they add a pretty touch!

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Chocolate Fudge Layer Cake with Caramel Buttercream

Chocolate Fudge Layer Cake with Caramel Buttercream
Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Chocolate fudge cake is layered with buttery homemade caramel frosting to create this irresistible cake. Just make sure you have some room in your freezer for it before you begin, as it allows the ganache to set. After it's set, buttercream can be spread on top. Garnish with chocolate shavings, then, serve!

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Coca Cola Chocolate Cake

Fudgy Coca Cola Cake Frosting
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kathleen Varner

Our secret ingredient when it comes to baking the cake of your dreams? The delightful addition of Coca-Cola. We topped this cake with white sugar pearls to give it a bubbly look like we just opened a fresh bottle of Coca-Cola.

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Chocolate Torte

Chocolate Torte
Micah Leal

Chocolate takes center stage in this deeply rich chocolate torte, finished with a dusting of cocoa and served with a dollop of whipped cream. This torte is gluten-free and just about anyone will love it's rich chocolate flavors. Use the highest quality of dark chocolate you can find for the best taste.

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Chocolate Mousse Cake

Southern Living Chocolate Mousse Cake sliced on a plate to serve

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

This isn't your ordinary chocolate cake. This flavorful cake has three chocolate layers: a moist chocolate cake, a thick chocolate mousse, and a decadent chocolate ganache finish. Serve with fresh berries for a delightful pairing.

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Lemon-and-Chocolate Doberge Cake Recipe

Lemon-and-Chocolate Doberge Cake
Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Half chocolate cake and half lemon curd, this hybrid cake satisfies everyone's cravings. The filling between layers is made with store-bought chocolate pudding and lemon curd to save you time! The lemon and chocolate buttercream frostings make a delicious spread over this unique, eye-catching cake.

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Eclair Cake

Eclair Cake
Molly Bolton/Southern Living

If you love eclairs, you will delight in this cake. With a mixture of bittersweet chocolate and a creamy filling, the chocolate eclair cake is the perfect addition to any gathering.

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Little Layer Chocolate Cake

Little Layer Chocolate Cake - Southern Living

Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Whip up this special layered chocolate cake for an unforgettable birthday celebration. But don't forget to adjust the layers depending on the age! We won't tell if you add one to grow on.

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Chocolate-Cinnamon Latte Cake Recipe

Chocolate-Cinnamon Latte Cake
Jennifer Davick; Food Styling: Vanessa Rocchio; Prop Styling: Missie Crawford

This sweet chocolate cake is perfect alongside a cup of hot coffee. You might be shocked to know that this cake is made in the slow cooker and starts with a box of white cake mix. It is so simple to make, as it only takes 10 minutes of your time in the kitchen—the dessert practically makes itself! Serve with fruit and a dollop of whipped cream on top.

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Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cake

Triple-Chocolate Buttermilk Pound Cake
Alison Miksch

We took the traditional pound cake recipe and raised it with a stunning, triple-chocolate twist. This cake means business. A duo of glazes—one creamy chocolate, the other subtle buttermilk—comes together atop this dreamy confection.

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Mama's German Chocolate Cake

Mama's German Chocolate Cake
Photo: Jennifer Davick

Bake a cake that would make mama proud. German chocolate cakes are known for being rich and indulgent, so enjoy a slice with a glass of milk. Topped with the desired Coconut-Pecan Frosting, the cake promises one thing: that it won't be around for long.

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Chocolate-Zucchini Cake

Chocolate-Zucchini Cake
Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

We can't think of a better way to eat your vegetables than with this rich, chocolaty cake. The shredded zucchini simply melts into the batter, yielding an incredibly moist cake. Garnish the cake with pistachios leftover from the recipe.

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Fudge Cake Recipe

Fudge Cake Recipe
Alison Miksch; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Anna Hampton

In charge of dessert at the next neighborhood gathering? Bring this irresistible make-and-take cake. Toasted chopped pecans create the best flavor and texture. Top it all off with a scrumptious dusting of powdered sugar.

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Chocolate-Mayonnaise Cake

Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake
Alison Miksch; Prop styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food styling: Mary-Claire Britton

Don't knock it before you try it! All you taste is glorious chocolate—the mayonnaise disappears into the deep chocolate batter, yielding a moist and tender cake. The cake batter only gets better with the coffee that is thrown in the mix.

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Texas Skillet Cake Recipe

Texas Skillet Cake
Photo: Stephen DeVries, Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Grab your cast iron skillet and get to baking. This deliciously easy chocolate cake comes together with no fuss in your favorite skillet. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate syrup.

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Mississippi Mud Cake

Mississippi Mud Cake
Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Ana Kelly Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke

Ranking as one of our favorite Southern cakes, this chocolate masterpiece is unforgettable. Warmed marshmallows and chocolate frosting make this a dessert the whole family will ask for again and again. It's an American classic that only takes you 15 minutes in the kitchen.

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One-Bowl Chocolate Cake

One-Bowl Chocolate Cake

ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLIST: CALEB CLARKE; FOOD STYLIST: EMILY NABORS HALL

We’re not afraid to say it; This one-bowl chocolate cake is the ultimate chocolate cake. The best part is that it comes together almost effortlessly!

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Easy Chocolate Cake

Southern Living Chocolate Cake with Spiced Chocolate Buttercream sliced on a plate to serve topped with chocolate curls

Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christina Keely 

A little cinnamon and a dash of cayenne pepper intensify the rich chocolate flavor of this stir-together cake. A half cup of coffee enhances the chocolate flavor. Garnish the already decadent cake with chocolate shavings that will not go overlooked.

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Chocolate Poke Cake

Chocolate Poke Cake

Stacy Allen, Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke, Food Stylist: Jen Riley

Starting with a chocolate cake mix and some Jell-O chocolate pudding, this cake is as easy to whip up as it is delicious and rich in chocolaty flavor. The chocolate pudding seeps into the chocolate cake's little air pockets, filling every hole with chocolate pudding.

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Chocolate Chick Cake

Southern Living Chocolate Chick Cake

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Mary Clayton Carl Jones

For the perfect chocolate cake on Easter Sunday, try this chocolate "chick" cake! This cake gets its extra boost of chocolate flavor from the instant espresso powder in the batter.

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S'mores Chocolate Sheet Cake

Southern Living Smores Sheet Cake sliced on a plate to serve

Molly Bolton

Imagine all the flavors of your typical camp fire s'mores all wrapped into one moist chocolate sheet cake. The marshmallow buttercream frosting will surely have you wanting seconds. This gooey confection is topped with crunchy graham crackers for the perfect delight.

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Chocolate Chiffon Cake

Chocolate Chiffon Cake
Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Christine Kelly Food Stylist: Ali Ramee

You'll need a 10-cup tube pan, or an angel food cake pan, to make this light and airy confection. Serve with fluffy whipped cream and raspberries.

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Bourbon-Chocolate Cake with Browned Buttercream Frosting

Bourbon-Chocolate Cake with Browned Buttercream
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop styling: Lydia Pursell

Bourbon, chocolate, and browned butter all come together incomparably in this scrumptious layer cake. Serve with coffee or a glass of Southern bourbon.

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Chocolate-Gingerbread-Toffee Cake

Chocolate-Gingerbread-Toffee Cake
Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia Degaris Pursell

This chocolate-gingerbread-toffee cake has all of the flavors you crave during the holiday season. Plus, the gingerbread snowflake cookies, cranberries, and mint topping this cake will surely have your guests taking photos before they dig in. Impressive and delicious: the best combo.

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Chocolate Lava Cakes

Chocolate Lava Cake

Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Ali Ramee; Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood

Nothing is quite as decadent as an indulgent chocolate cake with chocolate sauce flowing from the center the second you fork out a bite. Top with whipped cream or powdered sugar, or serve with ice cream.

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Chocolate Icebox Cake

Chocolate Icebox Cake
Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke

With no baking required, this cake takes little effort to make—just the way we like it. Prepare it a day in advance for it to chill, then top it with whipped cream, powdered cocoa, and toasted sliced almonds just before serving.

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Dorothy Powe's Triple-Chocolate Cake

Southern Living Dorothy Powe's Triple Chocolate Cake whole on a cake plate to serve

Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely 

There's only one thing better than a chocolate cake: a triple chocolate cake. This recipe comes from Barbara Pachman from The Woodlands, Texas, who watched her mother, Dorothy Powe, prepare this cake growing up. "Thinking about this cake stirs up memories of love, family, fabulous food, and mostly my treasured, precious, and much-loved mother," Pachman said.

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Milk Chocolate Bar Cake

Southern Living Milk Chocolate Bar Cake slice and ready to serve

Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Prissy Montiel

This gorgeous three-layer cake is made with only a few ingredients. Chocolate cake mix, milk chocolate candy bars with almonds, and a container of frozen whipped topping are among the list.

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Chocolate Peppermint Cake

Chocolate Peppermint Cake
Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Kathleen Varner

Nothing tastes quite as good as the pairing of peppermint and chocolate. The fluffy minty-Italian-meringue frosted cake is garnished with soft crushed peppermint candies.

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Reese's Cake

Reese's Cake on a silver pedestal

Alison Miksch; Prop Stylist: Thom Driver; Food Stylist: Loren Wood

Featuring two different glazes and topped with Reese's candies, this eye-catching peanut butter and chocolate cake will be the dessert your family and friends request from you year round. Just know we warned you.

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Chocolate-Peanut Butter Icebox Cake

Southern Living Chocolate-Peanut Butter Icebox Cake on a platter to serve

Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Peanut butter and chocolate are the two main flavors in this simple ice-box cake. Best part? It can be made up to three days in advance, so you can have one less thing on your to-do list.

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Mint Chocolate Chip Ice-Cream Cake

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice-Cream Cake

Devil's food cake and mint chocolate chip ice cream are layered in this mint-chocolate chip dream of a desert. Top with a chocolate ganache, then, garnish with sweet whipped cream and thin crème de menthe chocolate mints.

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