The Best Chocolate Pound Cake Recipe

Since you are here enjoying this rich chocolate pound cake recipe, check out this Double Chocolate Banana Bread, this Easy Pumpkin Bread Recipe, or this Moist Honey Tea Cake Loaf.

What is a chocolate pound cake?

A chocolate pound cake is a rich and dense cake made with a high proportion of butter, sugar, eggs, and flour, similar to a traditional pound cake. The key difference is the addition of cocoa powder or melted chocolate, giving it a deep chocolate flavor. It’s typically baked in a loaf or bundt pan and can be served plain or with a glaze or frosting.

Ingredients for this Delicious Chocolate Pound Cake Recipe

Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for the detailed ingredient measurements. 

• Butter: Use unsalted so that we can add the salt in later. You will want the butter to be softened so pull it out of the fridge an hour before. You will need butter for both the cake and the ganache topping.
• Granulated Sugar: is used to sweeten the cake.
• Large Eggs: give the cake structure. You will want the eggs to be room temperature as well so pull them out of the fridge prior to making the cake batter.
• Vanilla Extract: enhances the chocolate flavor.
• Sour Cream: is a key ingredient that helps make the cake extra moist. 
• Espresso Powder: is the other secret ingredient that pairs well with the chocolate and makes the cake taste amazing.
• All-purpose Flour: is the foundation of the cake.
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: is what gives the cake its chocolate flavor.
• Baking Powder: helps the cake rise and stay fluffy.
• Salt: balances out the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
• Heavy Cream: is the base of the ganache topping.
• Semi-sweet Chocolate or Dark Chocolate: to give the ganache its chocolate flavor.

How to Make this Moist Chocolate Pound Cake Recipe

Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card at the end of this post for the full step-by-step instructions!

Prepare and Bake the Cake

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Then grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray and line it with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl pour the melted butter and instant coffee granules and mix until dissolved with an electric mixer or whisk. Add in the granulated sugar and mix again to combine.
3. Add in the eggs one at a time then the vanilla extract and whisk to combine.
4. In another medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
5. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture alternately with the sour cream mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.
6. Pour the wet batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then remove from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack.

Make the Ganache Topping

1. In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream until it’s hot but not boiling.
2. Remove from heat and pour over the chopped chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl. Cover and let it sit for 2-3 minutes.
3. Stir the mixture gently until smooth and glossy.
4. Let the ganache cool for about 5 minutes, then pour over the cooled pound cake, allowing it to drip down the sides. Make sure you scrape the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula to get every drop.
5. Allow the chocolate glaze to set before serving.
6. Enjoy your rich chocolate pound cake with glossy chocolate ganache topping!

Why You Need to Make this Recipe!

• This decadent chocolate pound cake is perfect for chocolate lovers who need their chocolate cravings satisfied.
• This recipe is easy to make and only requires simple ingredients.
• It can be altered or customized to make it taste however you want.
• it’s the perfect cake to make for family dinners or gatherings.

Frequently asked questions – FAQ

How to Store this Chocolate Pound Cake Recipe

This delicious cake stores really well in an airtight container in the fridge. It will last for at least a week. If you want to store it for longer by freezing it, wrap it up in plastic wrap first before putting it in the container. This will prevent freezer burn and ensure it stays as fresh as possible.

Can I Use a Bundt Pan instead of a Loaf Pan?

​Of course! The cake will bake turn out exactly the same. You will just have to prepare your pan a little differently.

Instead of using cooking spray and then parchment paper, use cooking spray and a generous sprinkle of flour or cocoa powder to make sure the cake can come out of the pan cleanly.

You might have to adjust your bake time slightly. So check for doneness of the cake at around 40 minutes with a wooden skewer inserted in the center. If it comes out clean it’s baked and ready to be pulled out.

What to Serve this Classic Pound Cake With?

A slice of this moist cake is best enjoyed for a breakfast with cup of coffee or a latte. Or as a dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream and fresh berries.

What Other Flavors Can I Add?

• More Chocolate: First and foremost, you can always add extra of the same flavor if it’s not enough for you. The addition of chocolate chips mixed into the center of the cake is a great way to add a nice texture and makes this a triple chocolate cake.
• Make a Frosting: Switch out the chocolate ganache topping for a flavored frosting like peanut butter, cream cheese, or chocolate frosting. You could even do caramel sauce if you’d like.
• Chopped Nuts: Similar to adding walnuts to brownies or pecans to banana bread, adding any form of chopped nuts of would taste absolutely delicious in this moist pound cake.

The Best Chocolate Pound Cake Recipe

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