Unveil the magic of the "Hidden Treasure Chocolate Cake," a decadent dessert with a sweet surprise tucked inside. This moist and rich chocolate cake features a light yet indulgent crumb, enhanced by the addition of boiling water for an irresistibly tender texture. The true star, however, lies within—a luscious homemade chocolate ganache filling hidden inside the cake’s core, creating a delightful “treasure” that oozes with every slice. Perfect for celebrations or as a show-stopping treat, this recipe combines simple pantry staples like cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and heavy cream to create a truly unforgettable dessert. Topped with a dusting of cocoa or powdered sugar, this cake is as beautiful as it is delicious. Surprise your guests and elevate your dessert game with this chocolate lover’s dream!
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease and flour an 8-inch round cake pan.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
Add the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients and mix until smooth.
Slowly pour in the boiling water to the batter, mixing gently until fully incorporated. The batter will appear thin.
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
While the cake is baking, prepare the 'hidden treasure' ganache: Heat the heavy cream over medium heat until it just starts to simmer. Remove from heat and pour over the chocolate chips in a bowl.
Let the cream sit on the chocolate for 2 minutes, then stir until smooth and silky. Place the ganache in the refrigerator to thicken slightly.
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once the cake is completely cool, carefully cut out a 3-inch circle from the center of the cake (using a round cookie cutter or knife) and scoop out a shallow cavity, being careful not to cut through the bottom.
Fill the cavity with the prepared ganache, leveling the top with a spatula. Place the removed cake piece back on top to seal the 'treasure' and gently press down.
Dust the top of the cake with cocoa powder or powdered sugar, slice, and serve. Enjoy the surprise gooey center!
Calories |
4114 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 214.4 g | 275% | |
| Saturated Fat | 78.4 g | 392% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 67.6 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 521 mg | 174% | |
| Sodium | 3623 mg | 158% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 541.2 g | 197% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 31.0 g | 111% | |
| Total Sugars | 354.9 g | ||
| Protein | 58.3 g | 117% | |
| Vitamin D | 4.7 mcg | 24% | |
| Calcium | 433 mg | 33% | |
| Iron | 19.8 mg | 110% | |
| Potassium | 1323 mg | 28% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.