Description
This Viral Cornflake Chocolate Cake is a decadent layered dessert featuring a moist, tender chocolate cake base, a layer of rich, airy dark chocolate mousse, and a final, irresistible crispy chocolate-cornflake crunch topping. This intermediate-level recipe delivers the ultimate balance of soft, creamy, and crunchy textures in every luxurious bite.
Ingredients
Chocolate Cake
- 1/3 cup (40g) cocoa powder, 100%
- 1/2 cup (100g) boiling milk
- 1 1/4 cups (160g) all purpose flour
- 2/3 cup (140g) granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp (46g) sunflower oil
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vinegar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (optional)
- Pinch of salt
Chocolate Mousse
- 1/2 cup (125g) milk
- 1 1/4 cups (225g) dark chocolate (chopped)
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 gelatin sheet, hydrated
- 2/3 cup (150g) heavy whipping cream, 35% fat
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
Cornflake Topping
- 1 1/4 cups (200g) dark chocolate (chopped)
- 2/3 cup (150g) heavy whipping cream
- 4 cups (125g) cornflakes
Instructions
Bake the Chocolate Cake
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line the bottom of a 20 x 6.5 cm (8 x 2.5 in) springform pan. Boil the milk with the granulated sugar until dissolved, then mix in the cocoa powder until smooth. Once slightly cooled, add the egg, oil, and vinegar; mix well. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and optional cinnamon. Gently fold the wet and dry mixtures together until just combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely in the pan.
Prepare the Chocolate Mousse
Boil the milk, remove from heat, and immediately add the chopped dark chocolate. Let sit for 2 minutes, then mix until smooth (use a bain-marie if needed to melt any chunks). Mix in the egg yolks and cook the mixture gently over a bain-marie for 1–2 minutes, stirring constantly until slightly thickened. Squeeze the excess water from the hydrated gelatin sheet and stir it into the warm chocolate mixture until fully dissolved. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy whipping cream with the granulated sugar to soft peaks. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cooled chocolate mixture until no white streaks remain. Pour the mousse over the cooled cake base and smooth the top.
Chill and Set the Mousse
Chill the assembled cake in the fridge for 6 hours to overnight, or in the freezer for 3 hours, until the mousse is completely set and sliceable. Do not rush this step.
Finish with Cornflake Topping
Heat the heavy cream until steaming (do not boil) and pour it over the chopped dark chocolate. Let it sit for 2 minutes, then stir until you have a smooth, glossy chocolate ganache. Mix the finished ganache with the cornflakes until every piece is coated. Spread this mixture evenly over the set mousse layer, flattening it slightly with the back of a spoon.
Final Chill and Serve
Chill the finished cake for another 10 minutes in the freezer or 20 minutes in the fridge to set the topping before slicing and serving.
Notes
Make Ahead: The entire cake can be assembled 1 to 2 days in advance, as the extended chilling time is necessary. For maximum crunch, you can delay adding the cornflake topping until a few hours before serving.
Storage: Store the fully assembled cake, covered tightly, in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. The cornflake topping is best eaten within the first two days to ensure maximum crispness.
Flavor Variation: For an even deeper chocolate flavor, dissolve 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder into the boiling milk used for the cake base, which enhances the cocoa notes without making it taste like coffee.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking, No-Bake (Mousse)
- Cuisine: American (Modern)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of cake)
- Calories: 750
- Sugar: 65g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 50g
- Saturated Fat: 30g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 70g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: chocolate cake, cornflake crunch, chocolate mousse, layered cake, homemade dessert, decadent chocolate, easy cake recipe, viral recipe