Crunchy Chocolate Cake is a rich, multi-layered dessert featuring a moist chocolate cake base soaked with chocolate milk, topped with a creamy whipped cream layer, silky chocolate ganache, and finished with a crunchy chocolate cocoa cereal topping. This cake combines various textures from soft cake to creamy filling and a delightful crispy crunch, making every bite uniquely satisfying.
You will love how the intense chocolate layers and creamy textures harmonize with the unexpected crunchy topping, creating an indulgent treat perfect for special occasions.
Ingredients
Cake Layer
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon instant coffee
- 3 tablespoons hot water
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
Chocolate Milk
- 1¼ cups whole milk
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Whipped Cream Layer
- 7 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Ganache
- 3 ounces milk chocolate, chopped
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
Crunchy Topping
- 2¾ cups Cocoa Krispies (or Cocoa Pebbles)
- 3½ ounces milk chocolate, melted
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
How to Create Your Crunchy Chocolate Cake
Step 1: Bake the Cake
Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease an 8-inch baking dish. In a large bowl, whisk cocoa powder, instant coffee, and hot water until combined. Add vegetable oil, buttermilk, and eggs; whisk. Mix in flour and sugar until smooth. Combine baking soda and vinegar in a small bowl, add to batter, and mix well.
Pour batter into the prepared dish and bake for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Step 2: Prepare Chocolate Milk
While cake bakes, whisk whole milk, cocoa powder, and vanilla in a pot over medium heat until cocoa dissolves and milk simmers. Set aside.
Step 3: Soak the Cake
Let cake cool for 10 minutes. If desired, trim the cake top for evenness. Poke holes in the cake with a knife or skewer and pour chocolate milk over it. Allow to soak and cool completely.
Step 4: Make Whipped Cream Layer
In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Add heavy cream, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla. Whip until soft peaks form. Spread this over the soaked cake layer and refrigerate.
Step 5: Make Ganache
In a bowl, combine chopped milk chocolate and heavy cream. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth. Pour ganache over the whipped cream layer and refrigerate.
Step 6: Prepare Crunchy Topping
In a container, mix Cocoa Krispies with melted milk chocolate. Add cocoa powder, cover, and shake to coat evenly.
Step 7: Assemble and Chill
Sprinkle the crunchy topping over the ganache. Chill the cake for at least 1 hour or overnight. For crunchier topping, add right before serving.
Step 8: Serve
Slice and serve chilled, enjoying the layers of chocolate, cream, and crunch.
My Best Tips for Crunchy Chocolate Cake
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Poke holes evenly to allow chocolate milk to soak throughout the cake.
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Use softened cream cheese for ultra-smooth whipped cream.
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Refrigerate ganache before spreading to avoid melting the cream layer.
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Shake and coat the crunchy topping thoroughly for even coverage.
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Add crunchy topping at last moment to preserve crispness if desired.
Delicious Variations to Try
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Use dark chocolate for ganache for richer flavor.
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Add a splash of coffee liqueur to chocolate milk for depth.
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Sprinkle chopped nuts into the crunchy topping mix.
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Use flavored rice cereal for a unique twist on crunch.
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Drizzle caramel sauce over each slice for extra indulgence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other cereals for the crunchy topping?
Yes, other chocolate-flavored or regular crispy cereals work well.
How long can the cake be stored?
Refrigerate covered for up to 3 days.
Can I freeze the cake?
Yes, freeze slices wrapped tightly for up to 1 month.
What if ganache is too thick?
Add a bit more warm cream to thin before pouring.
Can I use homemade whipped cream instead of cream cheese?
Yes, but cream cheese adds richness and stability.
How do I get an even soak from the chocolate milk?
Pierce holes all over the cake with a skewer or fork before pouring milk.
Crunchy Chocolate Cake
- Total Time: 125
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A decadent multi-layer dessert combining moist chocolate cake, whipped cream filling, silky ganache, and a crunchy cocoa cereal topping for an indulgent treat.
Ingredients
Cake Layer
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp instant coffee
3 tbsp hot water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup buttermilk
2 large eggs
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp white vinegar
Chocolate Milk
1 1/4 cups whole milk
1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
Whipped Cream Layer
7 oz cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
Ganache
3 oz milk chocolate, chopped
1/3 cup heavy cream
Crunchy Topping
2 3/4 cups Cocoa Krispies (or Cocoa Pebbles)
3 1/2 oz melted milk chocolate
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
Instructions
Bake cake: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease 8-inch pan.
Mix cocoa, coffee, hot water; add oil, buttermilk, eggs.
Stir in flour, sugar; mix soda and vinegar, add.
Bake 35-40 mins until toothpick clean.
Make chocolate milk: Heat milk, cocoa, vanilla; simmer.
Soak cake: Poke holes, pour chocolate milk, cool.
Whipped cream: Beat cream cheese, add cream, condensed milk, vanilla; spread on cake, chill.
Ganache: Microwave chocolate and cream until smooth; pour on cake; chill.
Crunchy topping: Mix cereal with melted chocolate, cocoa powder.
Sprinkle topping; chill before serving.
Serve cold.
Notes
Poke holes evenly.
Use softened cream cheese.
Cool ganache before spreading.
Add cereal topping last for crunch.
Chill before slicing.
- Prep Time: 25
- Cook Time: 40
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/12 recipe)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: crunchy chocolate cake, chocolate cereal dessert, layered chocolate cake, creamy ganache cake, chocolate crunch topping
