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Home » Recipes » Dessert » Black Magic Chocolate Cake

Black Magic Chocolate Cake

By: Rebecca  |  Published: August 4, 2015  |  Updated: February 14, 2020  |   View Our Affiliate Disclosure Policy

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This Black Magic Chocolate Cake is three layers of moist chocolate cake wrapped in The Best Chocolate Buttercream makes this one decadent dessert!

This Black Magic Chocolate Cake is three layers of moist chocolate cake wrapped in The Best Chocolate Buttercream makes this one decadent dessert!

This Black Magic Chocolate Cake is so good, it’s almost sinful.

Filled with dark, rich, chocolate flavor, the moist, soft, cake is slathered up in my Best Chocolate Buttercream recipe.

Basically, it’s the perfect chocolate cake for any occasion.

This Black Magic Chocolate Cake is three layers of moist chocolate cake wrapped in The Best Chocolate Buttercream makes this one decadent dessert!

The cake itself is actually slightly adapted from a famous Hershey’s Black Magic Chocolate Cake recipe.

It’s one that many families have made from the back of cocoa packages since the 70s.

The original well-known recipe has been around forever, and with good reason.

It’s super decadent plus there’s an unexpected ingredient that boosts the deliciousness up a notch … brewed black coffee!

This Black Magic Chocolate Cake is three layers of moist chocolate cake wrapped in The Best Chocolate Buttercream makes this one decadent dessert!

That’s right, in addition to chocolate, Black Magic Cake is made with coffee, giving it an ultra-rich flavor!

This cake is topped with my chocolate frosting recipe, which is made with chocolate liqueur.

The buttercream is also sandwiched between the three layers of chocolate-coffee cake, and the finishing touch is a few sprinkles.

It goes without saying, but this cake is pretty much awesome in every sense!

This Black Magic Chocolate Cake is three layers of moist chocolate cake wrapped in The Best Chocolate Buttercream makes this one decadent dessert!

Between its mouthwatering flavors and stacked layers, Black Magic Cake is definitely one of those desserts that “wow.”

It’s perfect to share for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, or even small get-togethers with friends and family.

This Black Magic Chocolate Cake is three layers of moist chocolate cake wrapped in The Best Chocolate Buttercream makes this one decadent dessert!

Paired with milk or coffee, a slice of this stuff is the perfect way to end a delicious meal.

And if there are leftovers, well, you may have a hard time not eating them for breakfast.

(But don’t let me stop you … ;))

This Black Magic Chocolate Cake is three layers of moist chocolate cake wrapped in The Best Chocolate Buttercream makes this one decadent dessert!

If you make Chocolate Magic Cake once, you’ll get requests to bring it to every gathering.

In line with the recipe’s tradition, it may even become your family’s new favorite for the next few generations!

This cake is a classic and one that everyone will want to be served at every occasion.

If you’re looking for an indulgent treat to share, bake a Chocolate Magic Cake and you won’t regret it!

This Black Magic Chocolate Cake is three layers of moist chocolate cake wrapped in The Best Chocolate Buttercream makes this one decadent dessert!

More Chocolate Recipes

  • Chocolate Ganache
  • Flourless Chocolate Cake
  • Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
  • Chocolate Cream Pie
  • French Silk Pie

Black Magic Chocolate Cake

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Black Magic Chocolate Cake

Rebecca Hubbell
This Black Magic Chocolate Cake is three layers of moist chocolate cake wrapped in The Best Chocolate Buttercream makes this one decadent dessert!
4.41 from 5 votes
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Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 45 mins
Total Time 55 mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings
Calories 315

Ingredients
  

Cake:

  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 cup buttermilk room temperature
  • 1 cup brewed black coffee hot
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Frosting:

  • 1 Best Chocolate Buttercream Recipe

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 F.
  • Grease 3 6 x 2 inch round or 2 8 x 2 inch round cake pans with butter and flour or cooking spray and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
  • Combine sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment.
  • Beat in eggs, buttermilk, coffee, oil, and vanilla and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, the batter is going to be very thin.
  • Pour 2 cups of batter into each 6-inch pan or divide evenly between the two – inch pans.
  • Bake 6 inch cakes for 30-35 minutes and 8-inch cakes for 40-45 minutes until toothpick comes clean from center.
  • Cool in pans for at least 10 minutes and loosen from sides of pan before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
  • Frost with The Best Chocolate Buttercream, starting with a crumb coat and chilling for 30 minutes before adding the final coating.
  • Add chocolate sprinkles for the final touch.

Notes

  • Hot water and instant coffee can be used in place of coffee. Hot water can also be used by itself but the cake will not be as rich in flavor.
  • Adapted from Hershey’s.

Nutrition

Calories: 315kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 4gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 43mgSodium: 416mgPotassium: 195mgFiber: 2gSugar: 34gVitamin A: 90IUCalcium: 57mgIron: 1.8mg
Tried this Recipe? Tag me now!Mention @sugarandsoulco or tag #sugarandsoulco!
This Dauntless Chocolate Cake was inspired by the Divergent Series and is also known as Black Magic Cake. Three layers of moist chocolate cake wrapped in The Best Chocolate Buttercream makes this one decadent dessert!
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Cake Dessert Food and Fiction Recipes

About Rebecca Hubbell

I love sharing mouthwatering and fun recipes with all of you! My recipes are inspired by classic comfort food, the places I travel, and pop culture! I have a serious sweet tooth and love a good cocktail and pancakes and bacon are definitely my weakness! So stick around a discover something delicious!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dianna Hummel says

    September 23, 2017 at 7:57 am

    5 stars
    How do I adapt recipe for 9 inch pans? And to serve around 16 people?

    Reply
    • Rebecca Hubbell says

      September 24, 2017 at 4:02 pm

      Hi Dianna, You could just split the batter between 2 9-inch pans and bake until a toothpick comes clean from the center, about 30 to 40 minutes.

      As for the 16 people, 9-inch layer cakes traditionally serve around 12 people, but you could make smaller slices.

      Reply
  2. Hannah says

    August 2, 2016 at 7:50 am

    5 stars
    I made this cake a while back for a graduation and it was so delicious. I am currently tasked with making a birthday cake for someone who is dairy-free. Do you think I could substitute buttermilk for almond milk?

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      August 5, 2016 at 12:38 pm

      Hi Hannah, here’s a list of substitutes you can use, the almond milk one is near the bottom and will need to use yogurt and vinegar as well: http://joythebaker.com/2013/11/baking-101-the-best-buttermilk-substitutes/

      Reply
  3. Adelina Priddis says

    August 20, 2015 at 9:10 pm

    This looks so decadent! I haven’t read the books yet (shame!), but I did enjoy the first movie. Thanks for sharing on Weekend Bites, you’ve been featured!

    Reply
  4. Gail Akeman says

    August 15, 2015 at 5:10 pm

    4 stars
    Thank you for joining the Small victories Sunday linkup party. Please join again. Pinned to the group board.

    Reply
  5. Michele @ Alwayzbakin says

    August 15, 2015 at 4:36 pm

    THAT cake! That looks amazing! I really loved Divergent. I’m on the third book right now. 😉

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      August 16, 2015 at 9:14 pm

      Thank you, Michele! I hope you enjoy the rest of the series!

      Reply
  6. Karren Haller says

    August 15, 2015 at 8:49 am

    Your cake looks like one that would be in a magazine!!! I want a piece please.

    Thanks for sharing on Friday Features this week, stop by for Wordless Wednesday as well.
    Have a great weekend!
    Karren

    Reply
  7. Kim @The Baking ChocolaTess says

    August 14, 2015 at 5:27 pm

    Your cake looks beyond divine, not to mention I love chocolate and Divergent! Thanks for sharing, pinning and visiting from Pretty Pintastic Party. 🙂

    Reply
  8. Carlee says

    August 13, 2015 at 10:11 am

    Oh my! I need this right now! I would probably need to make two batches of frosting, one to eat while the cake is baking and cooling and one for the cake!

    Reply
  9. Steph says

    August 10, 2015 at 12:14 pm

    Wow…this looks fabulous! After seeing the pictures, I’m not sure that I have enough patience to wait while it bakes and cools, though!

    Reply
  10. Linda Blatchford says

    August 10, 2015 at 8:51 am

    That cake looks amazing. I’ve seen 1 Divergent movie; it was a little strange at first and then I got into it.

    Reply
  11. Emily says

    August 6, 2015 at 10:46 am

    I am drooling! I may be daunted by the size of the cake thought! That’s a tall cake! Yum!

    Reply
  12. June @ How to Philosophize with Cake says

    August 6, 2015 at 10:07 am

    That sounds fun–to make a treat based on a book! I ought to try that sometime. This cake looks incredible, definitely “black magic” good 🙂

    Reply
  13. Jenny B @ Honey and Birch says

    August 6, 2015 at 9:22 am

    LOVE this! I also enjoyed the Divergent series and I love chocolate cake… so this is pretty much right up my alley!!

    Reply
  14. Del's cooking twist says

    August 6, 2015 at 5:23 am

    My dream comes true. This chocolate cake looks truly amazing!! Congrats on the good job!

    Reply
  15. Potty Mom says

    August 5, 2015 at 9:16 am

    5 stars
    Well, going through your post I’m not thinking about the book. All I could think of is…the Cake. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Rebecca says

      August 5, 2015 at 10:34 am

      Haha… I’m totally with you there!

      Reply

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