Our Best Chocolate Cake Recipes

Dark Dutch-process cocoa is known for its deep brown tones and full flavor. In this recipe, it mixes with buttermilk for an incredibly rich chocolate cake. Top it generously with our creamy Cocoa Mascarpone Frosting, then dig in.

• Find more delicious dessert ideas just for you.

With just eight ingredients and five steps, these fudgy chocolate cakes are deceptively easy to make. And, true to their name, they're perfectly soft on the outside and melty on the inside.

The secret's out: Some of us love cake batter more than cake itself. With a dessert that's part fluffy cake and part gooey pudding, there's no need to compromise. Spoon it into bowls and serve with ice cream.

You're only four ingredients away from chocolaty bliss with a quick and easy cake inspired by the classic winter drink. Top it off with our airy Marshmallow-Coffee Frosting for an irresistible finish.

Everyone's favorite soda-fountain treat adds a delectable twist to rich chocolate cake. Layer on our creamy Chocolate Malt Frosting, then sprinkle with malted milk ball pieces and serve.

The made-for-each-other pairing of raspberries and dark chocolate is the inspiration for these mini cakes. And because they're baked in muffin tins, they're easy to make, too.

The sweet combination of Mascarpone-Vanilla Bean Filling, colorful red velvet cake, and decadent chocolate ganache frosting makes this dessert as delicious as it looks.

With six easy ingredients, a delightful souffle-like texture, and indulgent chocolate ganache, these full-flavor flourless cakes are a chocolate lover's dream.

Cozy up to a praise-worthy cake that's overflowing with chocolate pieces and cocoa powder. Spices like black pepper and nutmeg add complexity, while layers of fruit and caramel sauce sweeten the deal.

These Mexican-inspired flourless chocolate cakes boast plenty of baking chocolate and a few unique flavors, like adobo sauce and orange juice. Like flan, they bake in individual ramekins in a water-filled pan for that ultra-gooey texture.

Brandied cherries, airy cream filling, decadent ganache, and four kinds of chocolate add up to an edible masterpiece. Dust with a pretty milk chocolate drizzle and a topping of chocolate shards, then slice.

German Chocolate Cake is a chocolate lover's staple. Our version is extra indulgent with a generous helping of Toasted Coconut-Pecan Caramel Sauce and plenty of nuts, so you might want to save room for seconds.

The only downside to these adorable bite-size chocolate cakes? You might have to eat more than one. They bake up extra rich with sour cream and cocoa powder, then get sprinkled with fun toppers like cinnamon candies and peanut brittle.

Katrina Markoff, recipe creator and founder of Vosges Haug-Chocolat, calls this cake "Love Goddess Cake." This inventive dessert couples luscious chocolate with smoky bacon. If you prefer, you can omit the bacon.

"Milk chocolate gives this cake a lighter flavor and lets the vanilla side shine as well," says baking expert David Bonom.

Cocoa powder, dark chocolate, and a creamy chocolate frosting give this rich cake lots of chocolaty goodness.

Learn how to make a layer cake with this quick video from our experts in the Test Kitchen.

This rich cake developed by Nigella Lawson is one of her all-time favorites. It's ideal for a dinner party or served as a mid-morning treat.

With just five minutes of prep time, you can put this luscious chocolate cake recipe together in a hurry. Serve it warm with a scoop of ice cream.

This rich chocolate cake is layered with peanut butter and topped with its own warm sauce.

A creamy layer of cherry-flavor frosting between each tier of rich chocolate cake makes this dessert unforgettable. Chocolate-covered cherries make a gorgeous topper.

The ultimate chocolate cake is topped with a heavenly chocolate butter frosting.

This decadent chocolate cake from food star Nigella Lawson is spiked with lime and served with tequila-infused cream.

For an easy yet impressive birthday cake, try this recipe -- it starts with a boxed cake mix and butterscotch pudding. A rich, chocolaty icing adds a sweet finishing touch.

An easy sauce of blended blueberries and light whipped dessert topping dresses this decadent cake.

Espresso deepens the chocolaty flavor of this rich fluted-tube cake.

This recipe, first developed in 1952, has been perfected over the years. We think you'll agree that this version is the moistest, richest, "chocolatiest" cake ever. There are many ways to frost it, but we vote for our classic Chocolate-Sour Cream Frosting.

These delightful little cakes bake in just 18 minutes and are embellished with both White Chocolate Cream Frosting and White Chocolate Zabaglione Sauce.

Caramelized pecans, walnuts, and macadamia nuts are placed into the pan before the batter is poured on top -- giving this cake its "upside-down" name.

A chocolate glaze and apricot preserves spread on a dense chocolate cake are characteristics of this dessert, named for the Viennese hotel owner who created it in 1823.