Looking for the perfect dessert that's easy to make but still a showstopper? This is the recipe for you! This Chocolate Crunch Cake has it all—moist cake layers and a satisfying crunch. It's the kind of treat that makes you go 'wow' with every bite.
Whether you are a dessert connoisseur or simply seeking to treat yourself, get ready for a chocolaty good creation that's as visually stunning as it is indulgently delicious.
Why This Recipe Works
This chocolate crunch cake recipe works as a decadent and customizable homemade dessert option that everyone will love.
Loaded with richness and texture, this chocolate crunch cake is the epitome of decadence. The addition of crispy rice cereal to the velvety chocolate cake elevates the experience by creating a contrast of textures and a symphony of flavors.
Additionally, this chocolate crunch cake recipe is also so customizable that you will never run out of new ways to try it. Add mix-ins to your batter, like nuts, toffee bits, or even fruit, to create texture, or try adding coffee, caramel, or more cocoa to impact the flavor of your cake. You can further customize your cake with the toppings you use. Add some sea salt or coffee to your ganache for a more elevated flavor profile, or experiment with adding different elements to create the crunchy texture in your chocolate crunch cake. Get creative and have fun!
It's also a very easy recipe to be able to make for your guests in under an hour. By using a box of cake mix to create this chocolaty delicious dessert, you save yourself time and effort in the kitchen while still delivering on flavor and wow factor. This cake will surprise and delight your friends, and it's so easy to make yourself, it'll impress you too.
Ingredients
Cake Mix:
Even though this chocolate crunch cake recipe gives you the measurements of eggs, oil, and water to use when preparing the cake mix, you will want to prepare the cake using the instructions provided on the box for the best results.
While using a boxed cake mix in this recipe will help save you some time and energy in the kitchen, as well as give you delicious results, you may also want to make your cake from scratch. Simply omit step one from the instructions provided in this chocolate crunch cake recipe, prepare some chocolate cake batter, and then continue on with step two of the recipe.
You can choose to prepare a chocolate cake recipe that you already have, or you can follow this simple recipe:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1 ¾ cups of flour, ¾ cups of cocoa powder, 1 ½ cups of granulated sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder, 1 ½ teaspoons of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of salt until well combined.
In another bowl, whisk together two large eggs, 1 cup of milk, ½ cup of vegetable oil, and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract until well blended.
Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay.
Slowly add the hot water to the batter while stirring. The batter will be thin, but that's perfectly normal. Mix until the batter is smooth.
Now that you have a batter made proceed with step 2 of the chocolate crunch cake recipe!
Chocolate Chips:
Whether you use chocolate chips or baker's chocolate for this recipe doesn't really matter, what will impact the flavor of your ganache icing the most is whether you choose to go with milk or dark chocolate. A milk chocolate ganache will have a sweeter, creamier texture and milder chocolate flavor due to its high milk content. Due to its high cocoa content, a dark chocolate ganache will have a richer, more intense chocolate taste, less sweetness, and velvety consistency. The choice between the two depends on your taste preferences.
Crispy Rice Cereal:
The chocolate crispy rice cereal is used to put the crunch in our chocolate crunch cake recipe, but you can choose from a variety of different toppings to give your cake its crunch. You can experiment with different cereals such as Coco Pebbles, Corn Flakes, Frosted Flakes, etc. However, you can also use things like nuts, crushed cookies, toffee bits, and chocolate chips to get that crunchy texture.
How to Make Chocolate Crunch Cake
Step One:
Combine eggs, oil, water, and cake mix in a bowl, then whisk to combine.
Step Two:
Stir 1 ½ cups of chocolate chips into the batter, then pour it into a greased cake pan.
Step Three:
Bake at 350F for 25 min.
Step Four:
Melt the remaining chocolate chips in the microwave, stopping to stir and prevent burning, every 30 seconds.
Step Five:
To create the ganache icing, add the cream to a bowl, fold in the melted chocolate, and stir to combine.
Step Six:
Once your cake has cooled for at least 10 minutes, flip it onto a plate, allow it to cool for an additional 10-15 minutes, then ice the cake.
Step Seven:
In another bowl, combine butter and cereal to make the crunchy topping. Apply it to the sides of the cake.
Step Eight:
Decorate the top with additional frosting.
Step Nine:
Slice it up, serve, and enjoy!
Tips
- You can also use the double boiler method to melt your chocolate chips for the ganache. It's easier to monitor and ensure the chocolate doesn't get too hot while melting, as chocolate is delicate and can burn quickly. You can do this by using a double boiler or placing your chocolate chips in a pot or metal bowl on top of a pot of boiling water. The heat generated from the boiling water will heat the bowl on top, melting the chocolate gently without burning or overheating it.
- Try adding mix-ins like chopped nuts, cookies, or toffee bits to the cake batter to further emphasize the "crunch" element in this chocolate crunch cake.
What to Serve With Chocolate Crunch Cake
Complement the indulgent nature of this delightful chocolate crunch cake with an array of delicious accompaniments. A dollop of freshly coconut whipped cream brings a velvety smooth yet light and air texture, while a scoop of Skrewball whisky ice cream creates a delightful hot-cold contrast. For a fruity twist, pair your cake with a medley of fresh berries or a drizzle of blueberry puree. You can even consider serving a warm cup of lavender milk tea or rich hot chocolate for an elevated dessert pairing.
FAQs
How do I know if the cake is fully baked?
Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake; if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs and the batter is no longer wet, the cake is done.
Can I make my chocolate crunch cake gluten-free or vegan?
Yes, simply get your favorite gluten-free or vegan chocolate cake mix to use in this recipe. However, if you are choosing to make yours from scratch, you can experiment with gluten-free flour blends or non-dairy substitutes to make the cake gluten-free or vegan. Just make sure to follow appropriate conversion guidelines.
How long can leftover chocolate crunch cake be stored?
When stored in an airtight container or wrapped with plastic wrap, your leftover chocolate crunch cake will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 4 days. For longer-term storage, the cake can be frozen for up to 3 months. Due to the perishable nature of the ganache, it cannot stay at room temperature.
More Cake Recipes
If you like to have your cake and eat it too, then you'll love this collection of delicious cake recipes to inspire you in the kitchen.
Instant Pot Japanese Cheesecake
Chocolate Crunch Cake
Ingredients
- 3 eggs
- ¼ cup oil
- 1 cup water
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- 2 ½ cups chocolate chips
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup chocolate crispy rice cereal
Instructions
- Combine eggs, oil, water, and cake mix in a bowl, then whisk to combine.
- Stir 1 ½ cups of chocolate chips into the batter, then pour it into a greased cake pan.
- Melt the remaining chocolate chips in the microwave, stopping to stir and prevent burning, every 30 seconds.
- To create the ganache icing, add the cream to a bowl, fold in the melted chocolate, and stir to combine.
- Once your cake has cooled for at least 10 minutes, flip it onto a plate, allow it to cool for an additional 10-15 minutes, then ice the cake.
- Once your cake has cooled for at least 10 minutes, flip it onto a plate, allow it to cool for an additional 10-15 minutes, then ice the cake.
- In another bowl, combine butter and cereal to make the crunchy topping. Apply it to the sides of the cake and decorate the top with additional frosting.
- Slice it up, serve, and enjoy 🙂
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for better mixing.
- Use a high-quality chocolate for a richer flavor.
- Don't overmix the cake batter to avoid a tough cake.
- You can also use the double boiler method to melt your chocolate chips for the ganache. It's easier to monitor and ensure the chocolate doesn't get too hot while melting, as chocolate is delicate and can burn quickly. You can do this by using a double boiler or placing your chocolate chips in a pot or metal bowl on top of a pot of boiling water. The heat generated from the boiling water will heat the bowl on top, melting the chocolate gently without burning or overheating it.
- To further emphasize the "crunch" element in this chocolate crunch cake, add mix-ins like chopped nuts or toffee bits to the cake batter.
Please clarify important information on the size of the pan for the chocolate crunch cake. Is it two separate regular 9 in pans or one large 9in cake pan?
Considering what the sliced cake picture looks like, I'd venture to say it is one pan. Having said that, I thought when I saw that I'd prefer to do 2 layers with a layer of crunch in the middle.
Please clarify the size of the pan for the chocolate crunch cake. Is it two separate regular 9 in pans or one large 9in cake pan?
Please clarify the size of the pan for the chocolate crunch cake. Is it two separate regular 9 in pans or one large 9in cake pan?