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This Nestlé Toll House Death by Chocolate Cake delivers a powerful chocolate hit with every bite. Mixing cocoa powder with chocolate chips creates flavor depth that gets more intense as you eat. The buttermilk keeps everything super soft and adds just enough tanginess to balance the sweetness perfectly. Finish it with creamy chocolate frosting and you've got yourself the ultimate chocolate treat that'll satisfy even the most desperate cravings, yet it's surprisingly simple to make.
I made this cake for the first time when I learned my husband was a chocolate fanatic as a kid. His expression after tasting it told me everything—this would become our go-to cake. Now my kids beg for it whenever birthdays roll around, claiming no other chocolate cake matches up to this rich version. We've watched people who usually skip dessert come back asking for seconds of this one.
Key Ingredients
- Chocolate Chips: Create melty pockets throughout and improve the texture. Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet ones blend wonderfully and have the perfect flavor balance.
- Cocoa Powder: Provides that intense chocolate foundation. Try Dutch-processed for a richer color and more mellow taste.
- Butter: Delivers richness and proper structure. Go for unsalted at room temperature for best mixing results.
- Buttermilk: Creates incredibly tender cake with subtle tanginess. The full-fat version works best for moisture and flavor.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances chocolate flavors with subtle warmth. Always use pure extract instead of artificial for better results.
Baking Method
- Prepping your workspace
- Preheat your oven to 350°F before anything else. Coat your pan thoroughly, then use cocoa powder instead of flour for dusting to maintain the chocolate theme. Measure all ingredients before you start mixing.
- Creating the chocolate foundation
- Combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl until completely blended. This ensures even chocolate flavor and proper rising throughout the cake.
- Developing the flavor base
- Cream butter and sugar using an electric mixer until it turns pale and fluffy. This incorporates air for proper texture. Drop in eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Stir in vanilla until fully combined.
- Combining everything
- Alternate between adding the dry mixture and buttermilk, starting and finishing with the dry ingredients. Mix just enough to combine after each addition. Carefully fold in chocolate chips so they distribute evenly without deflating your batter.
- Perfecting the baking process
- Transfer batter to your pan and level the surface with a spatula. Bake on the center rack until a toothpick shows a few moist crumbs but no wet batter. Cool in the pan for ten minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
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My family can't resist eating this cake while it's slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side—the temperature contrast makes the chocolate taste even richer. My daughter always asks for extra chocolate chips between layers, saying they're like discovering hidden surprises in each bite. We've learned that serving thin slices with fresh berries lets everyone enjoy the intense chocolate flavor without overwhelming those who don't have strong sweet cravings.
Temperature Control
Getting this cake just right depends on how you handle temperature throughout the process. Room temperature butter properly creams with sugar to build the structure you need, while room temperature eggs mix in smoothly without separating. During baking, a consistent oven temperature helps the cake rise evenly without doming or sinking. Cooling matters too—the cake must set fully before frosting. When serving, try warming slices slightly to make those chocolate chips just a bit gooey while maintaining the cake's integrity.
Serving Style
Make this fantastic chocolate cake truly memorable with some easy finishing touches. Give it that professional look by adding a decorative frosting edge around the border. For special occasions, arrange fresh raspberries in a circle on top to contrast beautifully against the dark chocolate background. Try sifting a light layer of cocoa powder over everything just before serving for that wow effect, or add chocolate shavings made with a vegetable peeler against a chocolate bar to create height and interesting texture.
Flavor Twists
Start with this chocolate-packed base and transform it into totally different experiences while keeping that deep chocolate kick. Try the coffee version by adding two tablespoons of instant espresso powder to your dry mix—it actually boosts the chocolate flavor. When autumn arrives, blend in some cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne for a Mexican hot chocolate feel. For fancy occasions, mix in orange zest and replace some vanilla with Grand Marnier for a grown-up chocolate-orange combo that builds on the original's strengths.
Keeping It Fresh
Enjoy your cake beyond the first day by storing it properly and knowing how the flavors actually improve over time. Store at room temperature under a cake dome or in an airtight container—you'll notice the taste gets even better after a day as the flavors meld together. For longer storage, wrap individual slices in plastic and then foil before freezing for up to three months. When you want to eat frozen slices, thaw them in the fridge overnight, then bring to room temperature or warm slightly to restore that fresh-baked quality.
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This Nestlé Toll House Death by Chocolate Cake truly earns its reputation as chocolate paradise. By combining multiple chocolate elements, you get incredible flavor depth, while the straightforward approach makes it achievable for bakers of all skill levels. What makes it stand out is how it transforms ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary without fancy techniques or unusual equipment. Unlike desserts that sacrifice taste for simplicity or require complicated methods to impress, this cake hits just right—giving you an unforgettable chocolate experience that anyone with serious chocolate cravings can successfully create.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I leave out the coffee?
- Sure, replace it with hot water or milk. Coffee only deepens the chocolate flavor, so skipping it won't harm the cake.
- → How do I store leftovers?
- Store cake in an airtight container at room temp for up to 3 days—or in the fridge for around a week. Reheat slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds before serving.
- → Can this cake be frozen?
- Absolutely! Wrap the entire cake or individual slices tightly with plastic wrap and foil before freezing. It lasts up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before warming.
- → What if I don’t have a bundt pan?
- Use a 9x13 inch pan or two 9-inch rounds instead. Adjust baking to about 30-35 minutes with these choices.
- → How do I stop the cake from sticking in the bundt pan?
- Cover the pan completely with butter or shortening and dust with cocoa powder instead of flour. Let the cake cool for exactly 10 minutes before flipping it out to prevent breaking or sticking.