Gin-Laced Chocolate Cake
A rich chocolate cake with a subtle gin flavor and a boozy frosting. This french-inspired desserts ready in about 105 minutes layers Gin, Dark chocolate (70% cocoa), Butter 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
- 2 tbsp Gin
- 8 oz Dark chocolate (70% cocoa)
- 8 oz Butter
- 4 Eggs
- 1 cup Sugar
- 1 cup All-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp Cocoa powder
- 1 tsp Baking powder
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 8 oz Cream cheese frosting
- 1/2 cup Powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp Gin
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Melt 8 oz butter and 8 oz dark chocolate together. Let cool.
- Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk 4 eggs, 1 cup sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 cup flour, 3 tbsp cocoa powder, and 1 tsp baking powder until smooth. Fold in melted chocolate mixture.
- Step 3: Pour into a greased cake pan and bake for 30-35 minutes. Cool completely.
- Step 4: For frosting, whip 8 oz cream cheese with 1/2 cup powdered sugar until smooth. Fold in 1 tbsp gin. Spread over cooled cake.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Gin-Laced Chocolate Cake take to make?
Total time is about 105 minutes (60 min prep + 45 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 Gin-Laced Chocolate 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 Gin-Laced Chocolate 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 Gin-Laced Chocolate 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 Gin-Laced Chocolate Cake?
French 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
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.