Death By Chocolate Cake Recipe

The Irresistible Death By Chocolate Cake Recipe for Sweet Bliss

Indulging in a death by chocolate cake sparks pure culinary excitement for serious dessert enthusiasts.

Chocolate lovers understand the deep pleasure of rich, decadent layers melting across their palate.

Intense cocoa flavors promise an extraordinary sensory experience that transcends ordinary sweet treats.

Each forkful delivers a luxurious cascade of velvety chocolate textures that dance between dense and creamy.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this recipe combines premium ingredients with straightforward preparation techniques.

Passionate bakers will find immense satisfaction in crafting this ultimate chocolate masterpiece.

We guarantee one slice will transport you to pure chocolate bliss.

What Makes Mary Berry Death By Chocolate Cake Irresistible

What Makes Mary Berry Death By Chocolate Cake Irresistible
  • Craft Stunning Dessert: Create a show-stopping chocolate cake that looks professionally made with simple decorative chocolate waves, perfect for impressing guests without advanced baking skills.
  • Indulge Chocolate Lovers: Packed with rich chocolate in multiple layers and decadent icing, this cake satisfies intense chocolate cravings with deep, intense flavors that chocolate enthusiasts will adore.
  • Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows mixing white and dark chocolate waves, giving you creative freedom to design a unique presentation that matches your personal style or special occasion.
  • Master Bakery-Quality Treat: Achieve restaurant-level dessert at home with straightforward steps that transform basic ingredients into an extraordinary chocolate experience, making anyone feel like a skilled pastry chef.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Mary Berry Death By Chocolate Cake

Cake Base Ingredients:
  • Flour: A key component that provides structure to the chocolate cake.
  • Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich chocolate flavor and deep color to the cake.
  • Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with the cake's tender texture.
  • Bicarbonate of Soda, Baking Powder: Essential leavening agents that help the cake rise.
Liquid Ingredients:
  • Golden Syrup, Eggs, Oil, Milk: Combine to create moisture and bind the cake ingredients together.
Decoration and Icing Ingredients:
  • White Chocolate, Dark Chocolate: Used for creating decorative chocolate waves and making smooth, rich icing.
  • Butter: Provides creamy texture and richness to the chocolate icing.

Baking Steps for Mary Berry Death By Chocolate Cake

Baking Steps for Mary Berry Death By Chocolate Cake

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Warm the oven to 160°C/325°F. Coat two 20cm round cake pans with butter and line with parchment paper.

Step 2: Create Dry Mixture

Sift together dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl:
  • Flour
  • Cocoa powder
  • Bicarbonate of soda
  • Baking powder

Gently stir in sugar until well combined.

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

Create a small well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add:
  • Golden syrup
  • Eggs
  • Vegetable oil
  • Milk

Whisk until the batter becomes silky smooth and fully incorporated.

Step 4: Bake Cake Layers

Pour batter evenly into prepared cake pans. Slide into preheated oven and bake for 35 minutes. Remove and allow cakes to cool completely at room temperature.

Step 5: Create Cake Layers

Carefully slice each cake horizontally to create four thin layers using a sharp serrated knife.

Step 6: Craft Chocolate Waves

Melt white and dark chocolate in separate heat-safe bowls. Spread melted chocolate onto foil strips. Drape over curved surfaces like mugs to create elegant waves. Refrigerate until firm, then gently peel off.

Step 7: Prepare Chocolate Icing

Melt chocolate using a double boiler method. Add softened butter and stir until glossy and smooth.

Step 8: Assemble Cake

Layer cake pieces with chocolate icing between each layer. Cover entire cake with remaining icing, creating a smooth finish.

Step 9: Decorate Masterpiece

Arrange chocolate waves artfully on top and around the cake. Sprinkle with additional chocolate shavings if desired.

Must-Know Tips for Mary Berry Death By Chocolate Cake

  • Check Chocolate Quality: Use high-quality dark and white chocolate for richer, more intense flavor that elevates the entire cake.
  • Control Moisture Perfectly: Ensure cake layers are completely cool before icing to prevent melting and maintain structural integrity.
  • Create Smooth Chocolate Waves: Use parchment paper instead of foil for easier chocolate wave shaping and cleaner removal.
  • Adjust Sweetness Level: Reduce sugar slightly if using very dark chocolate to balance overall cake sweetness.
  • Room Temperature Matters: Bring eggs and milk to room temperature before mixing for smoother, more even cake batter consistency.

Ways to Personalize Mary Berry Death By Chocolate Cake

  • Gluten-Free Chocolate Heaven: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a celiac-friendly version that maintains rich chocolate flavor.
  • Vegan Chocolate Dream: Substitute eggs with mashed bananas or flax eggs, use plant-based milk, and swap butter for coconut oil to create a dairy-free alternative.
  • Low-Sugar Chocolate Indulgence: Replace sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener, and use dark cocoa powder to reduce overall sugar content while keeping intense chocolate taste.
  • Nutty Chocolate Sensation: Add chopped almonds or walnuts between cake layers, and sprinkle crushed nuts on top for extra crunch and nutty depth.

Drinks and Sweets That Pair with Mary Berry Death By Chocolate Cake

  • Pair Robust Red Wine: Select a full-bodied red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot to complement the rich chocolate layers, enhancing the cake's deep cocoa flavors and cutting through its intense sweetness.
  • Serve with Espresso: Brew a strong espresso or cappuccino alongside the cake, which will highlight the chocolate's complexity and provide a perfect bitter counterpoint to the dessert's sweetness.
  • Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Add a scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream that creates a creamy, cool contrast against the warm chocolate cake, balancing temperature and adding smooth texture to each bite.
  • Create Chocolate Milk Pairing: Prepare a cold glass of high-quality chocolate milk to echo the cake's chocolate notes while providing a refreshing, nostalgic companion that intensifies the dessert's decadent profile.

Keeping Mary Berry Death By Chocolate Cake Fresh Longer

  • Store covered cake in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Keep away from strong-smelling foods to prevent flavor absorption.
  • Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
  • Cut individual slices, wrap separately in plastic wrap, and freeze. Grab and thaw individual portions as needed within 2 months.
  • Keep cake in a cool, dry place covered with a cake dome for 1-2 days if serving soon. Avoid direct sunlight or warm areas.

Your Questions Answered on Mary Berry Death By Chocolate Cake

  • What type of chocolate works best for this cake?

Dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa solids gives the richest flavor and ensures a deep, intense chocolate taste for the cake and icing.

  • Can I make this cake gluten-free?

Yes, replace regular flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free and use xanthan gum if the blend doesn’t include it.

  • How do I prevent my chocolate waves from breaking?

Spread melted chocolate thinly on parchment paper, shape gently over curved surfaces like mugs, and let them set completely in the refrigerator before carefully peeling off.

  • Why use golden syrup in this recipe?

Golden syrup adds moisture, richness, and a subtle caramel flavor that enhances the chocolate’s depth and helps create a tender, soft cake texture.

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Death By Chocolate Cake Recipe

Death By Chocolate Cake Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 37 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Sinful chocolate lovers discover pure bliss with this death by chocolate cake recipe. Rich layers of intense cocoa goodness melt together, promising an unforgettable dessert experience you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Chocolate Ingredients:

  • 450 grams (1 pound) plain chocolate, broken into pieces
  • 200 grams (7 ounces) unsalted butter
  • 50 grams (2 ounces) white chocolate
  • 50 grams (2 ounces) plain chocolate

Dry Ingredients:

  • 275 grams (10 ounces) plain flour
  • 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1.5 teaspoons bicarbonate of soda
  • 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
  • 215 grams (7.5 ounces) caster sugar

Wet Ingredients:

  • 3 eggs, beaten
  • 225 milliliters (8 fluid ounces) sunflower oil
  • 225 milliliters (8 fluid ounces) milk
  • 3 tablespoons golden syrup

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven at 160°C/325°F and prepare two 20cm sandwich tins by greasing and lining with parchment paper.
  2. Combine dry ingredients by sifting flour, cocoa powder, bicarbonate of soda, and baking powder into a mixing bowl. Incorporate sugar thoroughly.
  3. Create a central cavity in the dry mixture and pour golden syrup, eggs, vegetable oil, and milk. Blend ingredients until achieving a smooth, homogeneous batter.
  4. Distribute cake batter evenly between prepared tins and bake for 35 minutes until a skewer inserted comes out clean. Allow cakes to cool completely at room temperature.
  5. Carefully slice each cake horizontally, creating four delicate layers for enhanced texture and presentation.
  6. Prepare chocolate icing by melting chocolate using a double boiler method. Incorporate butter and stir until achieving a glossy, smooth consistency.
  7. Assemble cake by layering each cake section with chocolate icing, ensuring even distribution between layers.
  8. Cover entire cake exterior with remaining chocolate icing, creating a rich and decadent finish.
  9. Create decorative chocolate waves by separately melting white and dark chocolate. Spread chocolate thinly on foil strips, carefully draping over curved surfaces. Refrigerate until set, then gently peel and artfully arrange on cake surface.

Notes

  • Ensure ingredients are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better cake texture.
  • Use high-quality dark chocolate for a rich, intense flavor that elevates the entire dessert.
  • Check cake doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out with a few moist crumbs, not completely clean.
  • For gluten-free option, replace wheat flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to maintain cake’s moisture and structure.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 544
  • Sugar: 48 g
  • Sodium: 142 mg
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 15 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 63 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Jackson Reid

Jackson Reid

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Single-serving recipe development
  • Global flavor fusion
  • Minimalist cooking techniques
  • Food photography and styling

Education

Holyoke Community College – HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Farm-to-table cuisine, sustainable cooking practices, and hands-on kitchen training


Jackson’s love for cooking began one dish at a time. After earning his Culinary Arts Certificate from Holyoke Community College’s HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute, he focused on what mattered most: creating recipes that are simple to follow and full of flavor.
At 10 Below Ice Cream, Jackson brings together global influences and a less-is-more approach. His recipes reflect his belief that good food doesn’t need to be complicated; it just needs to make sense, taste great, and feel right.
When he’s not testing ingredients or adjusting seasonings, you’ll find him hiking near Asheville, exploring local markets, or chasing the best light for food photos.

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