The Best Chocolate Pound Cake

Look no further for the very best chocolate pound cake. This decadently delicious cake bakes up perfectly moist and full of rich chocolate flavor. It’s a chocolate lover’s dream come true!

We’re putting the pause on pumpkin to bring you the best ever chocolate pound cake. Today’s recipe is one that is close to my chocolate loving heart. I’ve always loved a classic pound cake and by the looks of it, you all do too. If you haven’t already made my Classic Vanilla Pound Cake, let’s just say you’re really missing out. It’s a popular recipe here on the blog and I’m thrilled that you all love it just as much as I do. Clearly it was only a matter of time before I baked up a chocolate version of my favorite pound cake and while I wish I could say I nailed this recipe on the very first try, the real story is that I made it over, and over {and over} again until it was juuuust right. I’m happy to report that this cake is not only easy to make, but it bakes up perfectly dense, deliciously moist, and ultra chocolatey every single time. I’m so excited that this cake is finally ready for prime time. So without further adieu, let’s get right to it.

To say that I’m obsessed with this chocolate pound cake would be a massive understatement. It’s made with deep, dark Dutch process cocoa and a bit of espresso to really kick the chocolate flavor up a notch. And while the cake is on the denser side, as pound cakes typically are, it bakes up deliciously moist and fudgy. Prepare yourselves chocolate lovers. This cake is going to tempt your taste buds like no other. I love a drippy, silky smooth chocolate ganache on top of this cake but you can also dust it with a sprinkle of confectioner’s sugar or enjoy it plain with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream. However you choose to serve it, I think you’ll agree this chocolate pound cake is the best ever.

THINGS YOU NEED TO MAKE THE BEST CHOCOLATE POUND CAKE

I love simple recipes that come together easily without an extra trip to the market. This chocoolate pound cake is made with just a handful of standard ingredients which means you can bake up this dangerously delicious cake whenever the craving strikes.

Flour. Just regular ‘ol AP flour is all we need. I haven’t made this cake using gluten free flour just yet but it should work just fine with your favorite gluten free flour blend. I like this one from King Arthur Flour. Not sponsored. Just a fan.

Butter. This recipe calls for two sticks of unsalted butter. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature or your batter will not mix up smoothly.

Eggs. We’ll use four large eggs to keep this cake extra moist and delicious. For the perfect pound cake, take the time to mix in each egg well before adding the next.

Unsweetened cocoa powder. The recipe calls for Dutch process cocoa powder which keeps this cake rich and decadent. I always use this one from Rodelle. It’s the best. No question. Be sure to sift your cocoa powder for best results.

Sugar. Just a cupful of sugar gives this cake the perfect amount of sweetness.

Baking powder. Pound cake is by nature a denser cake but just the right amount of leavener helps give this cake a little lift. The texture is perrrfect!!

Salt. Just a pinch to help balance the sweetness.

Buttermilk. This cake is dense and moist thanks to plenty of butter, eggs and the addition of buttermilk. Pro-tip: If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, sour cream works great too!

Espresso powder. Don’t worry if you aren’t a coffee lover. The espresso only serves to enhance the flavor of the chocolate and your cake won’t taste like coffee. Pinky swear.

Vanilla. Every great cake is made with a bit of vanilla extract. Use a quality brand and avoid the imitation vanilla for the very best flavor.

TIPS TO MAKE THE PERFECT CHOCOLATE POUND CAKE

This cake comes together easily with just a handful of ingredients and your handy dandy mixer bowl. Read on for a few tips and tricks for the very best pound cake.

Cream the butter and sugar. There’s a lot of mixing happening with the cake batter and it’s important to follow the steps to create a light and fluffy batter that will ultimately bake up into a perfectly moist and tender cake. Once you’ve added the sugar to the butter, be sure to mix until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl every so often for best results.

Add the eggs one at at time. Listen. I’m not the most patient baker either but don’t be tempted to throw all of your eggs into the bowl at once. Mix each egg into the batter well before adding the next. It matters, trust me. Don’t forget to scrape down the sides of the bowl between each addition.

Don’t skip the espresso powder. Just don’t. Please don’t worry for a even a millisecond that your cake will taste like coffee. The espresso powder (or instant coffee granules) simply help enhance the chocolate flavor in the cake making this cake deep, dark and extra delicious!

Do not over bake. No one, and I mean no one, likes a dry pound cake. Keep an eye on your oven and read my tips below to know when your cake is fully baked.

More chocolate is better. This cake is melt in your mouth delicious all on it’s own, but more is always better when it comes to chocolate, amiright?  For a simply elegant, show stopping dessert, whip up the simple ganache and drizzle it generously over the cooled cake. I mean…what’s not to love??

HOW TO KNOW WHEN YOUR POUND CAKE IS BAKED

There’s nothing worse than wasting a bunch of ingredients and taking time out of your busy day to bake a cake that turns out dry and crumbly. Keep your eye on the oven bakers. It is worth noting that this cake bakes low and slow at 325 degrees for almost an hour so you’ll have time to lick the bowl and do the dishes while you wait. Be sure to check on your cake about halfway though the baking time. It should rise in the center and may leave a crack along the top. Not to worry…this is a good thing. If the edges of your cake are looking dark, tent then top of the loaf with a large piece of aluminum foil, being careful not to let the foil touch the cake. Continue baking until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out with no bits of wet batter. A few crumbs remaining is perfect! Do not over bake the cake as you will loose all the moist and tender deliciousness that makes this pound cake so unbelievably good.

HOW TO STORE CHOCOLATE POUND CAKE

If you can believe it, this pound cake is actually more delicious the day after it’s made so keep that in mind before you polish off the last slice. Because it stays tender and moist it makes a great recipe to bake ahead for any occasion. To store left over slices, simply wrap the unglazed cake in a double layer of plastic wrap and store in a cool, dry place. Do not refrigerate the cake as this will dry it out.

And there you have it chocolate lovers. The very best chocolate pound cake. I may be a little biased but I hope you’ll bake this cake and let me know what you think. I’ll meet you back here next time with a recipe for some seriously delicious pumpkin whoopie pies. Whoop whoop!!

Happy baking!

If you love this best ever Chocolate Pound Cake, you’ll also love:

Easy Double Chocolate Layer Cake

Baileys Dark Chocolate Bundt Cake

Extra Dark Chocolate Snack Cake

Classic Vanilla Pound Cake

The Best Chocolate Pound Cake

★★★★★ 4.7 from 3 reviews

• Author: Heather
• Prep Time: 20
• Cook Time: 55-60
• Total Time: 13 minute
• Yield: 1 9 x 5" loaf 1x

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Description

Look no further for the very best chocolate pound cake. This decadently delicious cake bakes up perfectly moist and full of rich chocolate flavor. It’s a chocolate lover’s dream come true!

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Scale 1x2x3x

Ingredients

For Cake

1 cup all-purpose flour (125 g)

¾ cup Dutch-processed cocoa (65 g)

¾ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

1/3 cup buttermilk, at room temperature

1 teaspoon instant coffee or ground espresso powder

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

4 large eggs, room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Glaze

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup dark or bittersweet chocolate chips

1 tsp vegetable oil

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Instructions

For Cake

Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and preheat oven to 325˚ F.

Lightly grease a 9 x 5” loaf pan. Line the bottom and short sides with parchment paper, allowing the ends to hang over for easy removal of the loaf after baking.

Sift flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt into a medium bowl. Sift a second time. Set aside.

Dissolve the instant coffee in the buttermilk. Set aside.

Add butter to the bowl of a standing mixer and mix on medium for 3-4 minutes. Scrape down sides. Next, gradually add sugar to the butter and mix for 4-5 minutes until light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides.

Add one egg at a time to the mixer (wait until the egg is combined before adding the next, about 20 seconds). Scrape down the sides, at least 2 times during the egg adding step.

Add vanilla and buttermilk-coffee mixture and mix until combined.

Turn down the mixer speed to low and add the dry ingredients, one third at a time. Mix until just combined. Once combined, remove bowl from standing mixer and give one final turn of the bowl to make sure all ingredients are incorporated.

Pour batter into the greased loaf pan. Put in the oven for 50-55 minutes. Check to make sure the cake is finished by sticking a toothpick in the center. The toothpick should come out clean and with a few crumbs clinging to it. Let cool in pan for 15 minutes. Using the parchment paper, lift the cake out of the pan and let it continue to cool on a wire rack for 1 hour before glazing.

For Glaze

Heat heavy cream over medium low heat until it begins to simmer and bubbles form at the edges of the pan. Remove from heat and pour over the chocolate chips in a medium bowl.

Let sit for 5 minutes and then add the teaspoon of vegetable oil and whisk until smooth and shiny. Allow to cool slightly. Pour glaze over the top of the cake. Slice and serve.

 

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Notes

Cake may be frozen before glazing.

Store tightly covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.