Description
A tender, deeply chocolatey cake wrapped around a velvety, tangy cream cheese filling. Every slice reveals a luscious surprise that’s perfect for celebrations or cozy nights in.
Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour: 1 3/4 cups
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: 3/4 cup
- Granulated Sugar: 2 cups
- Baking Powder: 1 1/2 teaspoons
- Baking Soda: 1 1/2 teaspoons
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
- Eggs: 3 large
- Whole Milk: 1 cup
- Vegetable Oil: 1/2 cup
- Vanilla Extract: 2 teaspoons
- Boiling Water: 1 cup
- Cream Cheese: 8 ounces, softened
- Powdered Sugar: 1/2 cup
- Egg Yolk: 1 large
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
- Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl until evenly combined.
- In a second bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla until smooth.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and whisk gently until just combined. Stir in the boiling water until the batter is smooth and pourable.
- In a clean bowl, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and egg yolk with a mixer until creamy and lump free.
- Pour half of the chocolate batter into the prepared pan. Gently spread the cream cheese filling over the batter, leaving a small border, then top with the remaining batter.
- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack, peel off the parchment, and cool completely.
- Slice, serve, and enjoy as is or with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of chocolate sauce.
Notes
- Note: Use room temperature cream cheese for a silky filling.
- Blooming cocoa with boiling water deepens chocolate flavor.
- Do not overmix once flour is added to keep the crumb tender.
- Cool fully before slicing for the cleanest layers.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 260 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg