Popular on Food52
80 Reviews
Nicole M.
January 17, 2021
The cake is delicious. I gave it a whirl even after reading some of the daunting reviews.
I mixed for two minutes—timed myself. Used one 9 inch round cake pan and cupcake tin bcs I don’t have other pans. I used less sugar in both the cake and frosting. I used raw cacao instead of cocoa for both cake and frosting. Added a couple of splashes of espresso into frosting (leftover from this morning).
Baked 33 minutes, did cave slightly. Then followed the cool for 10 minutes in the pan. Next I flipped onto parchment to cool on a rack. When I was ready to flip back and frost, slight thin pieces came off the top, but I frosted it and it’s great.
I’m intrigued with using Greek yogurt as a sub for an egg that one baker mentioned, but I forgot to try it. Maybe next time. My family is really enjoying this cake too.
I mixed for two minutes—timed myself. Used one 9 inch round cake pan and cupcake tin bcs I don’t have other pans. I used less sugar in both the cake and frosting. I used raw cacao instead of cocoa for both cake and frosting. Added a couple of splashes of espresso into frosting (leftover from this morning).
Baked 33 minutes, did cave slightly. Then followed the cool for 10 minutes in the pan. Next I flipped onto parchment to cool on a rack. When I was ready to flip back and frost, slight thin pieces came off the top, but I frosted it and it’s great.
I’m intrigued with using Greek yogurt as a sub for an egg that one baker mentioned, but I forgot to try it. Maybe next time. My family is really enjoying this cake too.
Deb S.
December 12, 2020
I disagree with the the negative reviews, this cake was delicious! I have multiple requests to make the cake again! It didn’t sink at all it was moist and amazing!
Eloise K.
September 11, 2020
I don’t understand the naysayers, this cake was amazing! Easily the best chocolate cake I’ve ever made. It didn’t sink at all, And it wasn’t dry. It had a lovely chocolatey gooey flavour. Best icing ever. I did use really high quality cocoa powder and a little less icing sugar in the frosting - maybe this made it a success, I don’t know either way yum yum.
Jen
September 3, 2020
It was a hit in my house. Only change was I added a splash of coffee to the frosting. I solved the bit of sinking by flipping the bottom layer upside down. You could
always fill the sinking part with chocolate chips while cakes were still warm then when you frost it it would cover the sunken part and be all gooey yummy when sliced. Like a lava cake!
always fill the sinking part with chocolate chips while cakes were still warm then when you frost it it would cover the sunken part and be all gooey yummy when sliced. Like a lava cake!
Jen
September 3, 2020
It was a hit in my house. Only change was I added a splash of coffee to the frosting. I solved the bit of sinking by flipping the bottom layer upside down. You could always fill the sinking part with chocolate chips while cakes were still warm then when you frost it it would cover the sunken part and be all gooey yummy when sliced. Like a lava cake!
nadiaghannam
July 17, 2020
This is the worst cake I’ve ever had. I think you should take down the recipe. Something is just not right about it. Don’t make it, you’ll be sorry!
nancy E.
May 30, 2020
The Chocolate Dump It cake on this site is the supreme chocolate cake recipe. Cannot do better
Megan
January 16, 2020
I very much disagree with the other reviews. This is an excellent cake, and it always gets tons of compliments. I’ve made it about ten times. To keep it from sinking, ONLY beat the batter for two minutes. Time yourself. It makes an enormous difference in the appearance and thickness of your cake. I highly recommend it!
davepluimer
January 15, 2020
I've made this twice - first as cupcakes/muffins and tonight as an 8" layer cake. Great results both times. Made as directed with XL eggs and Dutch processed cocoa (b/c that's what I had on hand). This is my go-to recipe for chocolate cake and icing point-forward.
elisa
October 4, 2019
Count me into the THUMBS DOWN club on this recipe! If only I'd read it before I was halfway into the baking process. Just terrible. I've never been steered wrong by Food52, but after last night's fiasco, I'll never start cooking/baking before reading the comments. Please take down this inedible recipe; it's bringing down your reputation.
Larry K.
October 4, 2018
Suggestions: 1) replace the oil with a like amount of mayonnaise
2) make cream cheese frosting
My mother made the recipe from the Hershey’s cocoa
container for years with those changes.
You’ll love the results
2) make cream cheese frosting
My mother made the recipe from the Hershey’s cocoa
container for years with those changes.
You’ll love the results
YasminLeonora
August 28, 2018
Really disappointed with this recipe, it came out very dry and with very little actual chocolate flavour. Unlike some of the other commentors on here, mine did not sink as I used 1 cup of sugar but either way the end result was still very poor.
This is the first F52 recipe that has let me down, such a shame.
This is the first F52 recipe that has let me down, such a shame.
FoodMakesFriends
November 25, 2017
To confirm the many, many other reviews, which I did not read in advance of baking, this cake sinks, and is not presentable for a birthday cake. Probably the first f52 recipe that did not work out.
sjghaus
November 13, 2017
This isn't a good recipe - it sank and tasted more like sugar than chocolate. Saved it with the chocolate ganache I made to frost it with.
Ann-Marie D.
November 4, 2017
DELETE THIS RECIPE. I used the other food52 recipe (the Chocolate Bundt cake) that I've sold so many times. Moved countries, and it's just been a nightmare. So decided to try this one, and it sunk quite a bit. What is going on?
catalinalacruz
October 13, 2017
Way too much sugar, typical of American cake recipes.
CarlosCaliifornia
October 25, 2020
Totally true, is a real problem with the American recipes, I always cut the sugar.
Stefanie
July 11, 2017
No, no, no. This cake sunk and was not moist or tasty. I should have read the comments before making this. Don't waste your time.
saramarsh
April 27, 2017
I've read the comments, and am now wondering, has this recipe been updated to fix the sinking problems? Has anyone figured out the reason for the sinking cakes? I haven't made the Hershey's cake or this one and am curious before I make either of them... Thank you!
See what other Food52ers are saying.