Homemade Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
This recipe provides instructions for a delicious homemade chocolate cake with a creamy cheese filling and frosting. It uses Hershey's Cookies 'n' Creme baking pieces for added flavor and texture.
This recipe provides instructions for a delicious homemade chocolate cake with a creamy cheese filling and frosting. It uses Hershey's Cookies 'n' Creme baking pieces for added flavor and texture.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
- cake:
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
- 3 tablespoons milk
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 3/4 cups sugar
- cream cheese filling:
- 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
- 2 eggs
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- cream cheese filling (recipe follows)
- 3/4 cup hershey's® special dark cocoa
- 1 1/2 cups dairy sour cream
- 1 (9 ounce) package hershey's® cookies 'n' creme baking pieces, divided
- cream cheese glaze:
- Carbohydrate 69.2
- Cholesterol 111
- Fat 29
- Protein 8.7
- Sodium 712
- Calories 561 calories;
Step-by-step
- Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 12-cup fluted tube pan.
- Prepare CREAM CHEESE FILLING; set aside.
- Beat butter and granulated sugar in bowl until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well.
- Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; add to butter mixture alternately with sour cream, beat well.
- Pour into prepared pan.
- Spoon cream cheese filling over cake batter.
- Bake 60 - 65 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
- Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack.
- Cool completely.
- Prepare CREAM CHEESE GLAZE; spread over top of cake, allowing glaze to run down sides.
- Garnish with reserved baking pieces.
- Cover; refrigerate leftover cake.
- CREAM CHEESE FILLING: Set aside 1/3 cup baking pieces for garnish. Separate remaining white chips and cookies. Beat cream cheese, sugar, egg, vanilla and salt in small bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Place white chips in small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at Medium (50%) 30 seconds; stir. If necessary, microwave at Medium an additional 10 seconds at a time, stirring after each heating until chips are melted and smooth when stirred.
- Blend melted chips into cheese mixture, fold in chocolate cookies pieces.
- CREAM CHEESE GLAZE: Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk and vanilla in small bowl until smooth.
A Baker's Journey: My Indulgent Chocolate Cake
As a busy working mom, time is a luxury I rarely have. Between juggling work deadlines, school pickups, and dinner preparations, finding time for hobbies often feels impossible. Yet, baking has always been my sanctuary, a moment of quiet amidst the chaos. The rhythmic mixing, the sweet aroma filling my kitchen—it's my personal form of meditation. This chocolate cake recipe isn't just another dessert; it's a testament to the joy found in creating something delicious from scratch, even with a packed schedule.
This isn't your average chocolate cake. It’s a rich, decadent masterpiece, layering moist chocolate cake with a creamy, dreamy cream cheese filling and a luscious cream cheese glaze. The Hershey's Cookies 'n' Creme baking pieces add an unexpected crunch and a touch of playful sweetness that elevates the experience to a whole new level. I’ve tweaked and perfected this recipe over the years, ensuring it’s not only delicious but also manageable for even the busiest of cooks. It’s a cake that’s perfect for celebrating special occasions, or for simply indulging in a moment of self-care after a long day.
The beauty of this cake lies in its simplicity. The ingredients are readily available, and the steps are straightforward. Even with my limited time, I can whip this cake up on a weekend afternoon, knowing that the reward will be a smile on my family's faces (and maybe a little quiet time for myself while I savor a slice!). The rich chocolate flavor, combined with the tangy cream cheese, creates a perfect balance that's not too sweet, not too rich – just right. The addition of the Cookies 'n' Creme pieces adds a fun, unexpected textural element, creating a delightful contrast to the smooth cream cheese filling and frosting.
More than just a dessert, this chocolate cake is a symbol of balance in my life. It represents the ability to find joy in the everyday, even amidst the whirlwind of responsibilities. It’s a reminder that even the simplest moments of creation can bring immense satisfaction, and that sometimes, the sweetest rewards come from the most unexpected places – like a quiet afternoon spent baking a cake for those you love.
This recipe is easily adaptable. Feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate chips or baking pieces. Perhaps you could add some chopped nuts or fresh berries to the filling for an extra layer of flavor and texture. The possibilities are endless! But no matter how you choose to personalize it, the core of this cake will always remain the same: a testament to the simple joy of baking and sharing something delicious with those you cherish.
So, the next time you're feeling overwhelmed by life's demands, remember this cake. Remember the comfort of a warm kitchen, the sweet aroma of chocolate, and the joy of creating something beautiful, even if it's just for yourself. It's in these small moments that we find the strength and inspiration to keep going.
Baking this cake isn’t just about following a recipe; it’s about creating a memory, sharing a treat, and reminding yourself of the simple pleasures in life. And believe me, the taste of this chocolate cake is a memory worth making.
