This Hot Chocolate Cake is a decadent dessert inspired by the comforting flavors of a warm cup of cocoa. With moist chocolate cake layers, rich chocolate ganache, and fluffy marshmallow buttercream, it’s a winter indulgence that feels cozy and celebratory.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It transforms the classic hot chocolate into a beautiful cake that’s both visually striking and irresistibly delicious. Each slice delivers the perfect balance of chocolate richness and sweet marshmallow fluff.

Hot Chocolate Cake

Hot chocolate is a timeless comfort drink, and transforming its flavors into a cake brings a whole new level of indulgence. This recipe layers tender chocolate cake with smooth ganache and airy marshmallow buttercream, topped with toasted mini marshmallows for the perfect cozy finish.

The cake itself is moist and flavorful, with hot chocolate adding a deep cocoa taste and subtle sweetness. Using oil instead of butter ensures the cake stays soft even after refrigeration.

Ganache provides an intense, silky chocolate element that seeps slightly into the cake layers, enhancing their richness. Milk chocolate chips paired with heavy cream melt into a glossy, smooth glaze.

Marshmallow buttercream adds a playful, light sweetness that contrasts the rich chocolate. The marshmallow fluff creates a cloud-like texture, while the powdered sugar and butter make it stable for layering.

Toasted mini marshmallows on top give a nostalgic nod to the drink that inspired this dessert, while adding both texture and a touch of caramelized flavor.

This cake is an excellent centerpiece for winter gatherings, holiday parties, or a special treat on a cold evening. It’s as comforting as a blanket by the fire, but with a celebration-worthy flair.

The make-ahead option is perfect for busy schedules — the cake layers can be baked days in advance and stored, ready for assembling when needed.

Even the aroma while making it is reminiscent of cozy winter nights, with chocolate and marshmallow filling the kitchen.

It’s a dessert that captures the joy of winter in every bite.

Servings

12 servings

Time

• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Cooling Time: 1 hour
• Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

Cake

• 3 eggs plus 1 egg yolk
• 1 1/3 cups International Delight Dark Hot Chocolate
• 1/2 cup oil
• 1 box chocolate cake mix

Chocolate Ganache

• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 3/4 cup milk chocolate chips

Marshmallow Buttercream

• 2 sticks butter, room temperature
• 1 1/2 containers marshmallow fluff (7 oz each)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• Mini marshmallows for topping

Instructions

1. Preheat oven according to cake mix directions. Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans.
2. In a bowl, whisk eggs, egg yolk, hot chocolate, and oil. Add cake mix and beat until smooth.
3. Divide batter evenly between pans and bake 28-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
4. Cool cakes for 10 minutes in pans, then transfer to a rack to cool completely. Wrap and refrigerate if making ahead.
5. For ganache, heat heavy cream until simmering, pour over chocolate chips, let stand 2 minutes, then stir until smooth. Cool to room temperature.
6. For buttercream, beat butter until fluffy, add marshmallow fluff and vanilla, mix gently, then add powdered sugar gradually.
7. To assemble, place first cake layer on a board, spread buttercream, drizzle ganache, top with second cake layer, repeat frosting and ganache.
8. Top with mini marshmallows and toast with a kitchen torch.

Tips

• Use bake-even strips for flat cake layers.
• Cool ganache fully before drizzling to prevent melting frosting.
• Toast marshmallows just before serving for best flavor.