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Home > All Recipes > Delicious French Dessert Recipes

Dark Chocolate Cake Recipe

Published: Sep 21, 2021 · Modified: Feb 3, 2025 by Judith Coates · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Bon Appetit
Like it? ~ Let us know below!
This is a chocolate cake recipe to make for a special occasion as it is sheer indulgence!
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Rich chocolate heart cake with three red cherries and vanilla curls.

Coeur Tendre En Chocolat - Tender Chocolate Heart

This is a decadent dark chocolate cake recipe with silky smooth chocolate glaze, to make for a special occasion as it is sheer indulgence! All chocoholics will be delighted and want the recipe, so get ready to share! A perfect Valentine's Dessert! Then try a Chocolate Chestnut Cake or these wonderful light pastries!

Rich chocolate heart cake with three red cherries and vanilla curls.

You can make it in a heart shape for the one you love or simply in a traditional shape whichever you prefer.

Serve it for a tea time treat all on its own or for a special dessert when the mood takes you, heavenly!

More Amazing Desserts

  • Supreme French Chocolate Cake
  • Pears In Red Wine
  • Crème Brulée Recipe Perfection

📖 Recipe

Rich chocolate heart cake with three red cherries and vanilla curls.

Dark Chocolate Cake

Judith Coates
Bon Appetit
Like it? ~ Let us know below!
This is a chocolate cake recipe to make for a special occasion as it is sheer indulgence!
Print Recipe Pin
Prep Time 35 minutes mins
Cook Time 45 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 19 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine French
Servings 8

Ingredients

  • 8 oz 1 cup butter cut into small pieces
  • 4 eggs
  • 9 oz 250g good quality plain chocolate
  • 3½ oz 100g castor sugar
  • 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • You will need a 9 inch/20 cm heart-shaped or round cake pan

For The Glaze

  • 6 oz 175ml whipping cream
  • 8 oz 225g dark plain chocolate.
  • 1 oz 30g unsalted butter
  • 30 ml 2 tablespoons almond liqueur – optional
  • Chocolate curls and/or strawberries to garnish you can use glacier cherries

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the cake pan by greasing lightly with softened butter. If using a non-stick pan you will still need to grease it lightly.
  • Preheat the oven to 150°C/300°F/Gas3
  • The cake is baked in a bain-marie (a water bath) so wrap the cake tin in foil to prevent the water from getting in.
  • Melt the butter and chocolate in a bowl over a saucepan with hot water, keeping it on low heat. You may also use a microwave in short intervals of 20-30 seconds at a time stirring between each interval.
  • Beat the eggs and sugar together using an electric mixer for 1 minute until thick and creamy.
  • Gradually mix in the cocoa powder.
  • Beat in the vanilla extract.
  • Now beat in the cooled melted chocolate and butter, incorporating it thoroughly.
  • Using a spatula fill cake pan with batter, smoothing it evenly.
  • Place the cake pan into a larger pan and pour boiling water to come halfway up the tin.
  • Bake for about 45 minutes. The center should be still soft but a skewer or toothpick will come out clean.
  • Allow to cool. The center may sink a little but this is ok!
  • Place the cake onto a wire rack upside down to cool completely.
  • Remove the cake from the pan by running the blade of a knife around the edge to loosen the cake.

To Make The Glaze

  • Bring the cream to a low boil in a pan and then quickly remove from the heat and add the chocolate.
  • Stir gently until well mixed then beat in the butter and almond liqueur.
  • Allow to cool before pouring over the cake.
  • Use a spatula to spread the glaze over the cake.
  • Decorate with chocolate swirls or flakes and cherries or your choice.
  • Chill until ready to serve.

Notes

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Keyword chocolate glaze, dark chocolate cake, dessert recipe
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Enchanté, je suis Judith

Owner, home chef, food writer, & creator of this website where I share my collection of appetizing French cuisine recipes. My goal is to remove all your misconceptions about French food being too finicky or too saucy, it's simply wonderful everyday eating! So, let us get cooking!

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