Chocolate Cake with Whipped Cream Frosting
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This Chocolate Whipped Cream Cake is the perfect way to celebrate any occasion. Light chocolate cake is layered between a sweet whipped cream for the perfect cake recipe.
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This post was originally published January 26, 2016. It has since been updated to include fresh photos and helpful tips.
Recipe Features:
- EASY: I like to make a homemade cake but you can definitely use a box mix.
- Perfect for Frosting Haters: My kid detests frosting. It’s on the top of his hate list. But he LOVES this cake.
- Make Ahead: This recipe actually tastes BETTER after it has sat overnight in the fridge.
My grandma used to make this cake chocolate cake with whipped cream for us every year on our birthdays. There were two versions… chocolate and vanilla. Most of us chose the chocolate. Both versions taste divine.
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The secret is to serve it COLD. Make it a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. The flavors blend together beautifully leaving you with the perfect cake. The whipped cream slightly soaks into the cake making it extra moist and delicious. Every bite melts in your mouth and you get the perfect balance of cream and chocolate. It is perfections.
Whipped Cream Cake Ingredients
Another beautiful thing about this recipe is that you do not have to be a super great cake decorator. You can pipe the whipped cream between layers, spoon it on, or just spread it with a knife. Cover the top with sprinkles and you are all set!
- Butter: Unsalted butter that has been softened to room temperature is ideal for cakes. If you use salted butter, be sure to omit the salt called for in the dry ingredients.
- Brown Sugar: I love the subtle hint of molasses that comes with brown sugar. It helps take this cake from good to great.
- Eggs: Large eggs that are at room temperature. This helps for them to whip into the batter without the worry of over mixing.
- Vanilla: Pure vanilla extract works magic in blending flavors together. This is key to getting the sugar and chocolate to blend together.
- Unsweetened Chocolate: My secret ingredient. Instead of using cocoa powder in this recipe I opted for unsweetened chocolate. It is a simple swap with a big impact.
- Flour: I have only tested this recipe with all-purpose flour.
- Cornstarch: Adding a bit of cornstarch to cake helps to give the cake a crumbly and tender texture.
- Baking soda and baking powder and salt: Always be sure to double check the expiration dates of your leavening agents and replace if they have been open for more than six months.
- Sour Cream: Trust me on this. This adds SO MUCH moisture to the cake and a slight tang that makes this bakery worthy!
- Water: Or, if you want to boost that cocoa flavor, hot coffee.
- Whipped Cream
How to Make A Chocolate Whipped Cream Cake
My grandma always used a cake mix. I decided it was time to upgrade to a homemade devils food and am so glad I did. The cake itself is the closest thing to perfection that you can get. Moist, chocolaty, and perfect topped with your favorite frosting. While my cake may have changed, my whipped cream is still the same I made in my grandma’s kitchen as a kid.
- PREP: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line two cake pans with flour or 2 muffin tins with paper liners.
- CREAM: Place the butter and brown sugar into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or a mixing bowl with a hand mixer. Beat until the two have combined and are fluffy, about 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract and the melted chocolate.
- STIR: Combine the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, salt and baking powder in a medium sized measuring cup. Whisk to combine. Slowly stir into the wet ingredients along with the sour cream and water.
- BAKE: Divide between the prepared pans or cupcake liners. Bake 12-14 minutes for cupcakes, 25-30 for 8 inch cakes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- FROST: Cool the cake completely. Frost with fresh whipped cream and keep stored in the refrigerator at least 2 hours before serving.
You can also opt for a super simple chocolate cake mix hack!
How to make whipped cream:
It all starts with a carton of heavy whipping cream and a chilled bowl. I do recommend using a mixer for this part just because stirring by hand takes some serious muscle.
You want stiff peaks to form giving you a good base to hold your cake layers in place.
By chilling the bowl (and even the whisk attachment) you cut down your mixing time significantly but it isn’t necessary. Just consider that my helpful kitchen trick to you.
- Place your mixing bowl and whisk attachments in the freezer for 10-15 minutes or until chilled.
- Pour in cold whipping cream. Whisk until slightly thickening.
- Add vanilla extract and powdered sugar. Continue to whisk until stiff peaks are formed.
Recipe Notes:
Grease your pan with butter or cooking spray (I suggest coconut oil spray).
Place 1-2 tablespoons of flour into the pan. Gently tap and rotate the pan to cover the entire thing with flour. Tap out excess.
Place a round piece of parchment paper on the bottom of the pan. Pour the batter directly on top and bake.
Most cakes, when stored properly, and fine stored at room temperature. This cake, however, should be stored in the refrigerator. We actually like it better the second day!
Technically, yes. Using whipped cream frosting is equally delicious with either a homemade or cake mix cake. However, I really feel like the homemade version takes this recipe from good to great.
Yes! In fact, my grandma used to make this same cake style in a yellow cake for Easter. She would dye layers of whipped cream in pastel colors that were beautiful.
No. Cool whip will not give the same results as fresh whipped cream. That being said, it is still a tasty topping!
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Chocolate Whipped Cream Cake
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- ½ cup butter (softened)
- 1 cups brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate (melted)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup water
For the Whipped Cream:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-4 tablespoons powdered sugar
Instructions
For the Cake:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line two cake pans with flour or 2 muffin tins with paper liners.
- Place the butter and brown sugar into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or a mixing bowl with a hand mixer. Beat until the two have combined and are fluffy, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Stir in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract and the melted chocolate.
- Combine the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, salt and baking powder in a medium sized measuring cup. Whisk to combine. Slowly stir into the wet ingredients along with the sour cream and water.
- Divide between the prepared pans or cupcake liners. Bake 12-14 minutes for cupcakes, 25-30 for 8 inch cakes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool completely and slice each cake in half creating two circles each.
For the whipped cream:
- Place a clean mixing bowl in the freezer for 15 minutes.
- Whip the cream in the chilled bowl until soft peaks form. Add the vanilla and powdered sugar. Continue to whisk until light and fluffy. Spread between your cake layers.
Equipment
Nutrition
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
I did 3 ounces of chocolate but maybe it needs to be 3 ounces after it’s melted? Maybe clarify since mine turned out way less chocolatey and lighter in color.
The 3 ounces should be the same whether measured solid or melted. Sorry it didn’t turn out as expected. I’ve made it many times, but baking can be tricky—happy to help troubleshoot if you’d like!
Hello, could I make a double batch of the whipped cream and use half to frost the entire cake with the whipped cream as well as having it between the layers?
Hi Val, you could for sure. I did this last year for my moms birthday and it turned out great.
this looks delicious! would this cake work with frosting on the outside? if I use whipped cream in the layers but buttercream as the frosting?
it looks just right for a person whose birthday is Sunday, and loves chocolate whipped cream pie. Both will be his gift so we can share the cake and take Fat apples pie home.
It’s the perfect way to celebrate. I’m making this for my sisters birthday on March 17th. It’s sort of a family tradition. I hope you love it.
I want to try it, but I don’t know if the butter is supposed to be just softened or melted.
Hello, the butter should be softened. I’ll add that clarification into the recipe card for you.
tasted ok but turned out dry. a little embarrassing. never tried cake with cornstarch in it and now I know why.
Hi there. If your cake is dry it’s been over baked. I’d suggest checking on it a little sooner in the oven. The cornstarch won’t have any effects on overall dryness of the cake.
Hello! I’m wanting to try this recipe and wondered what box cake mix your grandmother used when she made it? Thanks!
Hi Megan, she would use Devil’s food cake mix.
Thank you! Can’t wait to try it. Trying to decide on boxed cake mix or from scratch…can you tell a huge difference?
I mean, there is a difference. But it’s honestly delicious either way. My birthday was last Saturday and my sister made a box mix version using vanilla cake and fresh strawberries. Everyone devoured the cake. I’ll post a picture of it in my IG stories if you would like to check it out. https://www.instagram.com/1sweetappetite/
I tried making this today and I can confidently say i’m just awful at baking but i’d love to get better. I used a 9 inch pan as it’s what I had but ended up cooking it for a bit less. I don’t think it’s overcooked but what could cause it to seem dry? My cake also did not come out nearly as dark as yours and i’m not sure why. I followed all of the measurements. I used an unsweetened chocolate bar for the chocolate (ghiradelli). Is it maybe the brown sugar, I had used light, maybe this is a dark sugar situation.
The whipped cream came out great, first time making that so was very happy with it, just need to get better on the cake side. Thanks for sharing and any tips you might have!
Will substituting cocoa powder be ok or will it change the consistency of the cake?
Hi deb, I’ve never tried that but I did find this article that suggests it would be ok and walks you through the substitution.
Loved it. Could have used a bit more chocolate for a richer taste but it was still delicious.
Hi Lynda, If you let this cake sit in the fridge overnight the chocolate really starts to develop!
Do I need to make a double patch of cake batter to achieve four tiers (as pictured). I’m confused by the photo vs the directions to prepare two pans.
Thank you!
No. It’s optional, but you can slice each cake into 2 giving you 4 layers.
Is it ok to freeze this cake a couple of weeks in advance?
The cake, yes. The whipped cream will not freeze well. It’s best to bake the cake, cool completely, wrap in plastic and place in either a zip top bag or airtight container. When you are ready to thaw, let it sit overnight inside the refrigerator or on the counter for 20 to 30 minutes. Add the whipped cream and enjoy.
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If you make it a day ahead, do you go ahead and frost it? Or do you make it ahead and put it together before eating it?
It actually tastes better if you make it ahead of time and assemble. We do this and just store it in the refrigerator.
Hi, planning to make this soon!
Just wondering what chocolate works best for this recipe?
Thank you!
I like to used unsweetened chocolate. You can find this next to the cocoa powder in most baking aisles. Here’s a link to the one I use : https://amzn.to/31Qdchd
@Jesseca,
Perfect! Thank you for your help!
What size cake pans?
I use 8″ pans but 9″ would work as well
Hi
If I make this a day ahead of time to I need to wrap it in plastic wrap when storing it in the fridge or something else? Thanks
We usually store ours in a cake tray. You can wrap the un frosted cake in plastic wrap, or even a frosted one. Whatever you feel most comfortable with.
This is exactly what I was looking for! Any idea how well leftovers keep in the fridge? A few days?
I’d say about three days. That’s the longest it’s lasted in our home (most of the time it gets eaten by then). It tastes better the longer it sits in the fridge!
Can you add cherries and make this into a Black Forest Cake? If so, how would I do it?
I’m sure you could. Maybe try spreading cherry pie filling between the layers?
Made this cake and the entire family really enjoyed it. I did let it sit in the refrigerator as suggested and it truly does add to the flavor. I thought it would dry out the cake but it didn’t!
Thank you for the recipe. I will try it with a yellow cake as well.
Thank you for taking the time to comment!
The chocolate whipped cream cake recipe does not appear in the link. Can you post it?
I apologize for that! I updated the post and the recipe should appear now.
Trying to make this for my wife’s birthday tonight and not a baker….two questions:
1) Do I add all the ingredients for the whipped cream at once or do I do that in stages. I watched a vieo on how to create “soft peak” whipped cream and she was adding sugar in stages and adding lemon etc.
2) Your cake looks like it has 3 cake layers but your recipe says divide the cake mixture into two pans, cook, then slice in half, creating two circles each….that would make 4 pieces of cake correct? Does the picture actually have 4 pieces of cake or just 3 like it seems? Are you just cutting one of the cakes in half to make 3 total pieces (1 thick middle and 2 thin pieces for top and bottom? Lastly how do you cut the cake in half properly? Thanks so much!
Hi Todd,
When I made this recipe yesterday, I used a paring knife to lightly cut around the cake’s exterior. Once I’d made the mark around the cake, I used the light cuts as a guide for a serrated bread knife which finished the job fairly easily. My recommendation would be to refrigerate the cake after baking; cake cuts a lot smoother when it’s cold, rather than room temp.
As for the whipped cream, I whipped the cream alone until it was nearly all fluffy, then added the vanilla and sugar and whisked it for another minute or two—the feel and taste were both perfect.
Probably too late to help you, but hopefully future visitors will benefit!