This Festive Cocoa Cake with Cheesecake Swirls is a showstopper for any holiday gathering! Rich chocolate cake is marbled with ribbons of creamy cheesecake, creating a decadent and visually stunning treat. It's a perfect centerpiece dessert that tastes as amazing as it looks, offering an ideal balance of chocolatey indulgence and tangy cheesecake flavor.
Ingredients:
Chocolate Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
Cheesecake Swirl:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Prep Oven & Pans: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- Make the Cake Batter:
-
- Mix dry ingredients: flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, beat eggs. Add milk, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add wet ingredients to dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Carefully stir in boiling water until smooth.
- Make Cheesecake Swirl:
-
- Beat softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
- Beat in egg and vanilla extract.
- Assemble:
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- Pour half of the chocolate batter into each prepared cake pan.
- Dollop cheesecake swirls mixture on top of chocolate batter in each pan.
- Use a knife to gently swirl the cheesecake mixture into the chocolate batter, creating a marbled effect.
- Bake: Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool & Frost: Let cakes cool completely in pans before frosting with your favorite chocolate or cream cheese frosting.
Tips:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your eggs and cream cheese are at room temperature for easier mixing.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing the batter can lead to a tough cake.
- Variations: Add chocolate chips to the chocolate batter or a swirl of raspberry jam to the cheesecake layer for a twist.
