Old-Fashioned Chocolate Fudge Cake

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Happy Birthday Harry Potter!! Can you believe that it has been 20 years since the release of the first Harry Potter novel? Where does the time go? I have been watching the Harry Potter Happy Birthday Weekend marathon all weekend long, and decided that it was finally time to add this moist and delicious Old-Fashioned Chocolate Fudge Cake to my list of Harry Potter recreations.

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Fudge Cake | cookingwithcurls.com

I went with the description in the book when I frosted this cake: “It was a large, sticky chocolate cake with “Happy Birthday Harry” written on it in green icing.”

An Old-Fashioned Chocolate Fudge Cake is perfect for any birthday celebration, including Harry Potter's! cookingwithcurls.com

I don’t understand why they used pink frosting in the movie, chocolate on chocolate is much more appropriate for an 11 year old boy’s birthday cake, LOL

I made mine into a 4-layer cake for dramatic effect, but you can skip that step if you choose.

How to make an Old-Fashioned Chocolate Fudge Cake

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray two 8-inch round baking pans with cooking spray, set aside. Make sure your pans are at least 2″ high otherwise use 9-inch pans.

In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients.

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Fudge Cake dry cookingwithcurls.com

Mix in the eggs, vanilla, and oil…..

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Fudge Cake mix cookingwithcurls.com

Slowly pour in the hot water and beat just until smooth. Divide the batter between the baking pans as evenly as possible…..

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Fudge Cake pans cookingwithcurls.com

A scale comes in handy on occasions like this. Both pans weighed 2 pounds, 4.75 ounces.

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Fudge Cake weigh cookingwithcurls.com

Bake the cakes for 36 to 38 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center of the cake. Cool the cakes in the pan for 15 minutes.

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Fudge Cake baked cookingwithcurls.com

Then remove from the pans and cool completely on a cooling rack…..

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Fudge Cake cool cookingwithcurls.com

If you are making a 4-layer cake, carefully slice each cake in half with a bread knife…..

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Fudge Cake split cookingwithcurls.com

Frost with your favorite Chocolate Fudge Frosting, I am including my recipe down below, or Buttercream Frosting is delicious as well if you are not a fan of chocolate on chocolate.

Decorate your cake however you desire, sprinkles, frosting roses, etc. Slice and serve…..

This rich and decadent Old-Fashioned Chocolate Fudge Cake will satisfy all of your chocolate cravings! cookingwithcurls.com

I deliberately frosted my cake in a haphazard way to reflect the level of decorating skills a half-giant would have. 😉 Let’s just pretend that that is the reason why my layers are so uneven as well, okay?

Notes:

  • Make sure you let your cake cool COMPLETELY before slicing or frosting.
  • Make sure you let your frosting cool COMPLETELY before frosting your cake.
  • The espresso powder is to enhance the flavor of the chocolate, not to make the cake taste like a mocha. Leave it out if you wish, the cake will still be delicious.

If you are having a full-blown Harry Potter celebration, check out all of my favorite recipes and party ideas {so far}.

Harry Potter Party Foods | cookingwithcurls.com

Now I have Halloween on my brain!

Enjoy!!

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Fudge Cake on a crystal cake stand.

Old-Fashioned Chocolate Fudge Cake

This light and moist Old-Fashioned Chocolate Fudge Cake is perfect for any special occasion, including Harry Potter’s birthday!
5 from 7 votes
Print Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 38 minutes
Total Time: 58 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 367kcal
Author: Lisa Johnson

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons espresso powder
  • 4 large eggs
  • ¾ cup safflower oil (or canola oil)
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup + 2 Tablespoons hot water

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray two 8-inch round baking pans with cooking spray, set aside. Make sure your pans are at least 2″ high otherwise use 9-inch pans.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients.
  • Mix in the eggs, vanilla, and oil. Slowly pour in the hot water and beat just until smooth.
  • Divide the batter between the prepared baking pans as evenly as possible. {each filled pan weight 2 pounds, 4 3/4 ounces}
  • Bake the cakes for 36 to 38 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center of the cake. Cool the cakes in the pan for 15 minutes, then remove from the pans and cool completely on a cooling rack
  • If you are making a 4-layer cake, carefully slice each cake in half with a bread knife.
  • Frost with your favorite Chocolate Fudge Frosting or Buttercream Frosting. Decorate your cake however you desire, sprinkles, frosting roses, etc. Slice and serve

Nutrition

Calories: 367kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 265mg | Potassium: 200mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 90IU | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 2.1mg

a space between the two recipes would be nice.

This Old-fashioned Chocolate Fudge Frosting is the perfect way to top your favorite cakes and cupcakes | cookingwithcurls.com

Chocolate Fudge Frosting

This Old-fashioned Chocolate Fudge Frosting is the perfect way to top your favorite cakes and cupcakes!
4.67 from 3 votes
Print Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 293kcal
Author: Lisa Johnson

Ingredients

  • 6 Tablespoons shortening
  • 6 ounces unsweetened chocolate
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • cup milk (I used unsweetened CashewMilk)
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Place shortening and chocolate in a large microwavable bowl. Heat on HIGH for one minutes. Stir, and continue heating in 15 second intervals until completely melted.
  • Stir in 2 cups of powdered sugar.
  • Add the salt, vanilla, and milk. Beat to combine.
  • Add the remaining powdered sugar and beat until smooth and creamy.
  • Allow frosting to completely cool before using.

Nutrition

Calories: 293kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 107mg | Potassium: 135mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 40g | Vitamin A: 20IU | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 2.5mg

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3 Comments

  1. Yum, chocolate cake is one of my very favorites! This old fashioned chocolate fudge cake looks amazing. Pinned! Thanks for linking up with us at the #HomeMattersParty this week.

  2. 5 stars
    Loved the flavor with the espresso powder! Enjoy your emails with new recipes! I want to try one of the boozy recipes next!

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