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Close-up of Midnight Fudge Cake showing the thick spatula swirls of glossy dark chocolate frosting and spongy layers.

Midnight Fudge Cake with Glossy Chocolate Frosting

A decadent triple-layer Midnight Fudge Cake featuring moist dark cocoa sponge and thick, glossy chocolate fudge frosting. Perfect for chocolate lovers seeking a rich, professional-quality dessert with a tight, spongy crumb.
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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 780
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cake Ingredients
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour 375g
  • 3 cups granulated sugar 600g
  • 1.5 cups Dutch-processed cocoa powder 130g
  • 1.5 tsp baking powder
  • 1.5 tsp baking soda
  • 1.5 tsp salt
  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • 1.5 cups buttermilk 360ml
  • 0.75 cups vegetable oil 180ml
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1.5 cups boiling water 360ml, or hot coffee
Frosting Ingredients
  • 1.5 cups unsalted butter 340g, softened
  • 1 cup dark cocoa powder 90g
  • 6 cups powdered sugar 720g
  • 0.5 cups heavy cream 120ml
  • 1 tbsp corn syrup optional for gloss

Equipment

  • 3 8-inch round cake pans Greased and lined with parchment
  • 1 Stand mixer or hand mixer
  • 1 Offset spatula For creating textured swirls

Method
 

Prepare Batter
  1. Whisk flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
  2. Mix in eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Slowly stir in boiling water until batter is smooth.
Bake Layers
  1. Divide batter into three 8-inch pans. Bake at 350°F for 30-35 minutes.
  2. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then move to wire racks to cool completely.
Frosting and Assembly
  1. Whip butter and cocoa, then add sugar and cream until glossy and thick.
  2. Stack layers with frosting, then cover the outside with heavy spatula swirls for texture.

Notes

Use Dutch-processed cocoa for the darkest color.
Apply a crumb coat before the final frosting layer for a clean look.