Heavenly Chocolate Pound Cake Recipe

Dreamy Heavenly Chocolate Pound Cake Recipe: Pure Bliss in Bites

Decadent chocolate pound cake whispers pure indulgence with its rich, velvety chocolate pound cake texture that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

Every slice promises a luxurious journey through deep, robust cocoa flavors.

Dense and moist, this cake stands as a testament to classic baking techniques.

The crumb promises a tender, soft experience that chocolate lovers crave intensely.

Carefully selected ingredients blend seamlessly to create a dessert that feels both nostalgic and elegant.

Butter, premium cocoa, and carefully measured flour transform into a sublime treat that beckons from the kitchen.

Let this chocolate pound cake become the star of your next gathering, tempting everyone with its irresistible allure.

How to Make a Classic Chocolate Pound Cake

  • Warm Up the Oven

Blast your oven to a toasty 325F and give your baking pan a quick butter and flour massage to prevent sticking.

  • Whip Butter and Sugar

Grab your mixer and beat butter and sugar until they transform into a fluffy cloud of deliciousness, dancing together for about 3-5 minutes.

  • Introduce Eggs and Vanilla

Drop eggs one by one into the buttery mixture, letting each settle in comfortably. Splash in vanilla for an extra flavor kick.

  • Combine Dry Magic

In a separate bowl, swirl together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until they become best friends.

  • Create Cake Harmony

Slowly weave dry ingredients and milk into your base, taking turns like a graceful dance. Mix until everything just barely comes together.

  • Optional Chocolate Boost

If you’re feeling adventurous, sprinkle in chocolate chips for surprise bursts of sweetness.

  • Bake to Perfection

Pour batter into your prepared pan and slide it into the oven. Bake for 60-70 minutes until a toothpick reveals just a few moist crumbs.

  • Cooling Ceremony

Let the cake rest in its pan for 10-15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.

  • Ganache Glory (Optional)

Warm cream and pour over chocolate chips. Let them mingle, then stir until silky smooth. Drizzle over your masterpiece.

  • Slice and Celebrate

Cut a generous slice and savor every rich, chocolatey moment!

Variations for a Better Chocolate Pound Cake Experience

  • Expert Baking Secrets
  • Add an extra tablespoon of sour cream to ensure an incredibly moist, tender cake texture that melts in your mouth.
  • Use high-quality Dutch-processed cocoa powder for a deeper, richer chocolate flavor that elevates the entire dessert experience.
  • Swap regular flour with a 1: 1 gluten-free baking blend to make this cake accessible for those with wheat sensitivities without compromising taste.
  • Wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to 4 days, or freeze for 3 months to enjoy later – perfect for stress-free entertaining.
  • Dust with powdered sugar, serve with fresh raspberries, or add a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to complement the cake's rich chocolate profile.

How to Serve Chocolate Pound Cake Like a Pro

  • Sweet Companion Pairings: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or whipped cream for a decadent dessert experience.
  • Beverage Buddies: Complement the rich chocolate flavor with a steaming mug of hot coffee, creamy cappuccino, or smooth cold milk for a delightful contrast.
  • Fancy Dress-Up: Drizzle warm ganache over each slice, sprinkle with powdered sugar, or top with fresh raspberries and mint leaves to elevate the presentation and add a gourmet touch.
  • Breakfast Transformation: Toast a slightly cooled slice and spread with cream cheese or almond butter for a luxurious morning treat that feels like a special indulgence.

Tips to Keep Chocolate Pound Cake Fresh

  • Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, keeping it at room temperature for 3-4 days. Store in a sealed container to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
  • Refrigerate the cake for up to one week. Place in an airtight container to protect its rich chocolate flavor and prevent absorbing other refrigerator odors.
  • Slice the cake before freezing for easier portioning. Wrap individual slices in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Frozen cake stays delicious for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for best texture.
  • Warm slightly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore the cake's soft, tender crumb. Add a dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of fresh ganache to refresh its gourmet appeal.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 65 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 152 kcal

Servings: 12

What Goes Into Chocolate Pound Cake

For The Creamy Base:
  • Unsalted Butter: Provides rich, velvety texture and depth of flavor, choose high-quality butter for best results.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a tender crumb, look for fine, pure sugar.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients and add structure, use fresh room-temperature eggs for smoother mixing.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances chocolate flavor with warm, aromatic notes, opt for pure extract over artificial.
  • Sour Cream: Adds moisture and tanginess, ensuring a soft, tender cake texture.
For The Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Creates cake's foundational structure, use fresh, sifted flour for smooth batter.
  • Cocoa Powder: Delivers intense chocolate flavor, Dutch-processed cocoa recommended for deeper color.
  • Baking Powder: Helps cake rise and become light, ensure it's fresh and not expired.
  • Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.
For Optional Enrichments:
  • Chocolate Chips: Adds extra chocolate bursts, dark or semi-sweet chips work best.
  • Heavy Cream: Creates silky ganache topping, choose high-fat content cream.
  • Chocolate Chips (For Ganache): Melts into smooth, glossy drizzle, select good-quality chocolate.

Baking Tools for a Dense and Rich Chocolate Pound Cake

  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, mixing batter.
  • Electric mixer: Helps beat ingredients smoothly and create fluffy texture.
  • Whisk: Perfect for combining dry ingredients evenly.
  • 9×5-inch loaf pan or bundt pan: Needed for baking the cake's shape.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient proportions.
  • Spatula: Great for folding chocolate chips and scraping batter.
  • Toothpick: Used to check cake doneness.
  • Wire cooling rack: Allows cake to cool evenly without getting soggy.
  • Small saucepan: Helpful for making optional ganache.
Print
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Heavenly Chocolate Pound Cake Recipe

Heavenly Chocolate Pound Cake Recipe


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4.9 from 30 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Rich chocolate flavors mingle in this classic chocolate pound cake, creating a dense, moist dessert perfect for afternoon tea or elegant gatherings. Chocolate lovers will savor each deeply satisfying slice that promises pure indulgence with minimal effort.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (400 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (227 grams or 2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 ¾ cups (219 grams) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (50 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk
  • ½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
  • 2 tsps vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup (85 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
  • 1 cup (170 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream

Instructions

  1. Preparation Ritual: Ignite the oven to 325F (165C). Lavishly coat a 9-5-inch loaf pan or bundt pan with grease and flour, ensuring every crevice is protected.
  2. Butter Transformation: Whip butter and sugar in a spacious mixing bowl until the mixture achieves a cloud-like, airy consistency, approximately 3-5 minutes of vigorous blending.
  3. Egg Integration: Introduce eggs individually, thoroughly incorporating each before adding the next. Infuse vanilla extract, stirring until harmoniously combined.
  4. Dry Ingredient Symphony: In a separate vessel, choreograph flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt into a uniform mixture through whisking.
  5. Ingredient Fusion: Methodically marry dry ingredients with the butter mixture, weaving in milk and sour cream. Ensure a seamless integration, beginning and concluding with dry ingredients. Mix until just united, avoiding over-manipulation.
  6. Chocolate Enhancement: Tenderly fold chocolate chips throughout the batter, creating delightful pockets of molten chocolate.
  7. Baking Performance: Transfer the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface with precision. Bake for 60-70 minutes, monitoring until a toothpick emerges with minimal moist crumbs.
  8. Cooling Choreography: Allow the cake to rest within the pan for 10-15 minutes, then gracefully transition to a wire rack for complete cooling.
  9. Ganache Finale (Optional): Gently warm heavy cream, cascade it over chocolate chips. Pause momentarily, then stir until achieving a glossy, uniform consistency. Elegantly drizzle over the cooled cake.
  10. Culinary Celebration: Slice and savor the decadent, rich chocolate pound cake, reveling in its luxurious texture and intense flavor profile.

Notes

  • Use room temperature ingredients like eggs and butter to ensure even mixing and a moist, tender crumb. Cold ingredients can lead to uneven baking and a dense, dry cake.
  • Adjust cocoa powder quality and type for deeper or milder chocolate flavor. High-quality Dutch-processed cocoa delivers richer, more complex chocolate notes.
  • Gently fold dry ingredients and stop mixing once ingredients are just combined. Overmixing develops gluten, resulting in a tough, rubbery cake texture.
  • Let chocolate chips sit in warm cream for exactly one minute before stirring to create smooth, glossy ganache without burning or separating the chocolate.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 65 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 25 g
  • Sodium: 180 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 42 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
William Hawkins

William Hawkins

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

  • Modern American and Southern Cuisine
  • Farm-to-Table Practices
  • Restaurant Concept Development
  • Culinary Education and Mentorship​

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, KY

  • Degree: Associate of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Focused on mastering culinary methods and food science, immersive externships, hands‑on training in industry‑standard kitchen labs, and equipping graduates for roles in restaurant operations.

William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary. 

With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist. 

When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.

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