Best Western Chocolate Decadence Cake
A rich, fudgy chocolate cake with a velvety ganache, inspired by the 'best' in comfort desserts that melts in your mouth. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 60 minutes layers all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 4 oz, chopped dark chocolate
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F and grease an 8-inch round cake pan. Whisk together 1 1/2 cups flour, 3/4 cup cocoa powder, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, and 1/4 tsp salt in a large bowl.
- Step 2: Beat 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar and 2 large eggs in a separate bowl until pale and fluffy (about 3 minutes). Mix in 1/2 cup vegetable oil and 1/2 cup Greek yogurt until combined.
- Step 3: Gradually fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients until just combined—do not overmix.
- Step 4: Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Step 5: Let cake cool completely in pan, then make ganache: heat 1/4 cup heavy cream in a small saucepan until simmering, then pour over 4 oz chopped dark chocolate. Let sit for 2 minutes, then stir until smooth.
- Step 6: Pour ganache over cooled cake and spread evenly. Dust with 1/4 cup powdered sugar just before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Best Western Chocolate Decadence Cake take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (25 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Best Western Chocolate Decadence Cake?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Best Western Chocolate Decadence Cake?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Best Western Chocolate Decadence Cake for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Best Western Chocolate Decadence Cake?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The flavors in this best are incredible.
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.