Comments on: Hot Chocolate Cake

By: Donna Skaggs

Donna Skaggs — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:55:31 +0000

I only made the cake part as my husband & I are diabetics.

It’s tender & moist. I was interested in how it would be making it with hot chocolate. It turned out great. Good chocolate flavor without being too much.

By: Emily @ Sugar Spun Run

Emily @ Sugar Spun Run — Fri, 02 Jan 2026 21:28:54 +0000

In reply to Lindsay. We're so happy it's a hit for you, Lindsay!

By: Lindsay

Lindsay — Sun, 28 Dec 2025 19:40:14 +0000

LOVE this recipe! It’s always a hit, a tad sweet but so good

By: Laura N

Laura N — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 02:50:47 +0000

Sam, thanks for sharing about your grandmother. What a beautiful tribute to a her life. I’m sure she was really proud of you! I loved seeing your family pictures at the end of the recipe, they’re really sweet.

By: Umamah

Umamah — Sat, 04 Jan 2025 16:50:09 +0000

it was a really nice cale.but a lit fudgy but my family liked it

By: Michelle

Michelle — Wed, 01 Jan 2025 14:23:02 +0000

I’ve made this recipe three times now and have noticed that when using instant hot chocolate with milk the middle of cakes sink in and when using hot chocolate that I pick up prepared from Starbucks they do not sink in. The sinking isn’t too much of a problem after leveling and cake assembly – still tastes amazing!

By: Sam

Sam — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 20:34:35 +0000

In reply to Victoria. Hi Victoria! If you just want to bake the cakes a few days in advance I would recommend just wrapping them tightly after they cool completely and frost when ready. :)

By: Victoria

Victoria — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 23:08:27 +0000

I want to make this for a gathering coming up but would like to make the cake a few days early and just have to make the frosting the day of and decorate. Would it be best to wrap and freeze the cakes? Or would that not work well for this cake?

Thanks!

By: Sam

Sam — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 16:53:51 +0000

In reply to Sarah. Hi Sarah! Use salted butter here. :)

By: Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 21:41:54 +0000

For the frosting and buttercream, are you using salted or unsalted butter?

By: Sam

Sam — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 11:34:24 +0000

In reply to Kelly DeJesus. Hi Kelly! You would need to increase the recipe by 50% to have enough batter to fill 3 pans. :)

By: Kelly DeJesus

Kelly DeJesus — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 00:26:24 +0000

How can make this 3 layers 8 inches?

By: Sam

Sam — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 01:35:33 +0000

In reply to JW HOADLEY. The 6 inch pans are typically deeper so they typically take longer to bake. :)

By: JW HOADLEY

JW HOADLEY — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 22:51:28 +0000

I’m not a baker but confused. Your recipe says:
“If using 8″ or 9″ pans: bake on 350F for 25-30 minutes
If using 6″ pans: bake on 350F for 40-45 minutes”

How would it take more time (15 minutes or more) with the same temperature for the 6″ pans? To me it seems the times may be inverted with the size pans, 8-9″ and the 6″.

We appreciate any clarification you can give. Many thanks!

By: Sam

Sam — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 00:50:39 +0000

In reply to Sav. As long as you are preparing the hot cocoa mix as directed and using the specified amount, it won't cause any issues in the cake. Making it in 3 8 inch layers will work just fine, your layers will just be much thinner and require a lot less time in the oven. :)

By: Sav

Sav — Sun, 17 Mar 2024 23:59:32 +0000

Will my cakes sink if I use store bought hot cocoa mix ( with milk) and three 8 inch cake pans?

By: Nikki

Nikki — Sat, 03 Feb 2024 20:26:33 +0000

In reply to Katie. You have to change the leaving amount when jumping from 6 inch cakes to 3 sometimes. Especially with chocolate cakes. Or a suggestion, try swapping out 1/2 c oil and 2/3c water. Reversing them. Worked for me.

By: Sam

Sam — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 20:32:26 +0000

In reply to Pam. Hi Pam! That will work just fine. :)

By: Pam

Pam — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 03:55:07 +0000

On the hot chocolate, can you use instant but add milk instead of water?

By: Ri

Ri — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 02:17:06 +0000

In reply to Sam. Thank you!

By: Sam

Sam — Sun, 27 Nov 2022 01:25:58 +0000

In reply to Ri. That should work fine. :)

By: Ri

Ri — Fri, 25 Nov 2022 14:12:57 +0000

Can this be made into cupcakes?

By: Emily @ Sugar Spun Run

Emily @ Sugar Spun Run — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 18:51:08 +0000

In reply to Kristin Gamble. What kind of cocoa powder are you using? That could cause it to sink too.

By: Kristin Gamble

Kristin Gamble — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 14:24:03 +0000

In reply to Sam. I’m not sure, I even did it another time and it did the same thing.

By: Sam

Sam — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 01:57:04 +0000

In reply to Kristin Gamble. O no! I'm so sorry this happened, Kristin! I wonder if it may have been slightly under-baked. :(