Decadent Brownie Cake Recipe

Introduction

This Brownie Cake combines the rich, fudgy texture of brownies with the lightness of a cake, making it an irresistible dessert for any occasion. Moist and chocolatey, it’s perfect for sharing with friends or enjoying as a special treat.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 3/4 cup white granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs (room temperature)
• 1 cup oil (canola or vegetable oil)
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk (room temperature)
• 1 cup hot water (steaming)
• 1 cup white granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
• 1/4 cup oil
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, sift together 2 cups flour, 1 cup cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. Step 3: In another large mixing bowl, whisk 1 3/4 cups sugar, 4 eggs, oil, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth. Add the buttermilk and mix until combined.
4. Step 4: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the hot water. Stir gently until the batter is smooth and uniform.
5. Step 5: In a separate bowl, mix 1 cup sugar, 2 eggs, melted butter, oil, and vanilla extract. Combine 1/3 cup flour with 1/2 cup cocoa powder and fold this mixture into the wet ingredients. This will create a dense chocolate swirl.
6. Step 6: Pour the main batter into the prepared pan. Drop spoonfuls of the chocolate swirl mixture on top and use a knife or skewer to gently swirl it into the batter for a marbled effect.
7. Step 7: Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking to keep it fudgy.
8. Step 8: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before slicing and serving.

Tips & Variations

• Use room temperature eggs and buttermilk to ensure a smooth batter and better rise.
• For extra richness, substitute half of the oil with melted butter.
• Add a handful of chocolate chips or chopped nuts to the swirl mixture for added texture.
• If you don’t have buttermilk, mix 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar with 1 cup milk and let it sit for 5 minutes.

Storage

Store the brownie cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat slices briefly in the microwave for a warm, soft treat.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Yes, you can substitute regular milk by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for a few minutes to sour.

How do I know when the brownie cake is done?

Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake. It should come out with a few moist crumbs but not wet batter. This indicates the cake is cooked through yet still fudgy.

Decadent Brownie Cake Recipe

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4.5 from 93 reviews

This decadent Brownie Cake recipe combines the rich, fudgy texture of classic brownies with the soft, tender crumb of a cake. Featuring layers made from cocoa powder, buttermilk, and a mix of baking soda and powder, this dessert is moist, chocolatey, and perfect for any occasion. The addition of hot water enhances the cocoa flavor, while the dual layers add a delightful texture contrast.

• Author: Nora
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients for Cake Batter

• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 cup Unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp Baking soda
• 2 tsp Baking powder
• 1 tsp Salt

Wet Ingredients for Cake Batter

• 1 3/4 cup White granulated sugar
• 4 Large eggs (room temperature)
• 1 cup Oil (canola or vegetable oil)
• 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup Buttermilk (room temperature)
• 1 cup Hot water (steaming)

Brownie Layer Ingredients

• 1 cup White granulated sugar
• 2 Large eggs
• 1/4 cup Unsalted butter (melted)
• 1/4 cup Oil
• 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup All-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup Unsweetened cocoa powder

Instructions

1. Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This ensures even distribution and a light texture in the cake layer.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients for Cake: In a separate bowl, whisk together the white granulated sugar, eggs, oil, vanilla extract, and buttermilk until smooth and well combined. Gradually add the hot steaming water while mixing to dissolve the sugar and enhance the cocoa flavor, resulting in a smooth batter.
3. Combine Cake Batter: Slowly incorporate the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, blending gently just until no dry pockets remain. Be careful not to overmix to maintain a tender crumb.
4. Prepare Brownie Batter: In another bowl, combine the white granulated sugar, eggs, melted unsalted butter, oil, and vanilla extract, whisking well for a rich and glossy mixture.
5. Add Dry Ingredients to Brownie Batter: Gently fold in the all-purpose flour and unsweetened cocoa powder into the brownie batter until combined, forming a thick and fudgy consistency.
6. Assemble the Cake: Pour the cake batter evenly into a greased cake pan. Spoon the brownie batter carefully over the cake batter, creating a layered effect for textural contrast.
7. Bake the Brownie Cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the assembled cake for about 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached. Avoid overbaking to keep the brownie layer fudgy.
8. Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before cutting. This ensures neat slices and allows the layers to set properly.

Notes

• Use room temperature eggs and buttermilk to achieve a smoother batter and better rise.
• Steaming hot water intensifies the cocoa flavor and helps dissolve the sugar effectively.
• Do not overmix the batter to avoid a dense cake.
• Check doneness with a toothpick rather than relying strictly on time, as oven temperatures vary.
• Grease the cake pan thoroughly or line with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• For extra richness, consider adding chocolate chips to the brownie layer before baking.

Keywords: brownie cake, chocolate cake, fudgy brownies, layered dessert, chocolate dessert