Nestlé Toll House Death by Chocolate Cake

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Nestlé Toll House Death by Chocolate Cake

Introduction

For anyone who believes there is no such thing as too much chocolate, this Nestlé Toll House Death by Chocolate Cake is the dessert to make. It is intensely chocolatey, wonderfully moist, tender in the center, and covered with a rich, fudgy chocolate frosting.

The secret to its deep chocolate character is the combination of chocolate morsels and strong coffee. The coffee does not make the cake taste like coffee; instead, it helps bring out the richness and depth of the chocolate. Sour cream and vegetable oil help create a soft, moist crumb, while the chocolate morsels add an extra layer of indulgence.

This cake is especially wonderful served slightly warm with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream. The warm chocolate cake and cold, creamy ice cream create a beautiful contrast that makes every bite feel like a special occasion.

A Little History

Nestlé Toll House is best known for the chocolate chip cookie recipe that became an American baking classic. Nestlé traces the original Toll House chocolate chip cookie recipe back more than 80 years.

The same love of chocolate inspired many later Toll House desserts, including rich chocolate cakes made with Nestlé Toll House morsels. The official Nestlé Toll House version of its Ultimate Chocolate Cake uses dark chocolate morsels, strong coffee, sour cream, and a rich chocolate frosting.

Over the years, home bakers have also created their own Death by Chocolate variations, including Bundt-style cakes and versions made with chocolate pudding, sour cream, coffee, and generous amounts of chocolate chips.

Ingredients

For the Chocolate Cake

  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup strong brewed coffee, hot
  • 1 cup Nestlé Toll House dark chocolate morsels
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the Chocolate Frosting

  • 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1 2/3 cups Nestlé Toll House dark chocolate morsels
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Serving

  • Vanilla ice cream
  • Additional chocolate morsels, optional
  • Chocolate shavings, optional
  • Chocolate sauce, optional
  • Whipped cream, optional

Equipment

  • Two 8-inch round cake pans
  • Parchment or wax paper
  • Large mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Medium saucepan
  • Wire cooling racks
  • Offset spatula or cake spatula
  • Cake plate or serving stand

Preparation Method

Step 1: Prepare the Pans

Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).

Grease two 8-inch round cake pans thoroughly. Line the bottoms with parchment paper and lightly grease the parchment.

The parchment makes it much easier to remove the delicate chocolate cake layers without breaking them.

Step 2: Prepare the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, and salt.

Whisk everything together until evenly distributed.

Set the bowl aside while you prepare the chocolate mixture.

Step 3: Melt the Chocolate

Place the hot brewed coffee in a small saucepan and bring it just to a simmer.

Remove the coffee from the heat.

Add 1 cup of the chocolate morsels and whisk until completely melted and smooth.

Allow the mixture to cool slightly.

The combination of hot coffee and chocolate creates an exceptionally deep chocolate base for the cake.

Step 4: Prepare the Wet Ingredients

In another large bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, sour cream, eggs, and vanilla extract.

Continue whisking until the mixture is smooth and well combined.

Pour in the slightly cooled chocolate-coffee mixture and whisk until everything is incorporated.

Step 5: Combine the Batter

Gradually add the chocolate mixture to the dry ingredients.

Add it in several additions, whisking gently after each addition.

Do not worry if the batter seems thinner than a traditional cake batter. This is normal for this style of chocolate cake.

Avoid overmixing once the flour has been incorporated. Mix only until the batter is smooth.

Step 6: Fill the Cake Pans

Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans.

Gently tap the pans against the counter once or twice to remove large air bubbles.

Smooth the tops with a spatula.

Step 7: Bake

Place the pans in the preheated oven.

Bake for approximately 33 to 35 minutes.

The cakes are ready when the centers feel lightly springy and a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.

Do not overbake the cake. A few moist crumbs are preferable to a completely dry toothpick because they help indicate that the cake will remain tender.

The official Toll House recipe uses a similar baking time and temperature.

Step 8: Cool the Cake

Remove the cakes from the oven and allow them to cool in their pans for approximately 10 minutes.

Run a thin knife around the edges.

Carefully invert the cakes onto wire cooling racks and remove the parchment.

Allow the layers to cool completely before frosting.

Do not frost warm cake because the frosting can melt and slide away from the layers.

Chocolate Frosting Method

Step 1: Heat the Cream Mixture

Place the heavy cream, butter, sugar, water, and salt in a medium saucepan.

Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently.

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Do not allow it to boil aggressively.

Step 2: Add the Chocolate

Remove the saucepan from the heat.

Immediately add the remaining chocolate morsels.

Allow them to sit undisturbed for approximately 2 minutes.

Then whisk until the chocolate has completely melted and the mixture becomes smooth and glossy.

Stir in the remaining vanilla extract.

Step 3: Allow the Frosting to Thicken

Pour the frosting into a clean bowl.

Place it in the refrigerator and stir occasionally.

It may take approximately 1 1/2 hours to reach a spreadable consistency. The official Toll House method also recommends refrigerating the frosting until it becomes thick enough to spread.

The frosting should be thick, creamy, glossy, and soft enough to move easily under a spatula.

If it becomes too firm, allow it to sit at room temperature for several minutes before spreading.

Cake Formation and Assembly

Place the first completely cooled cake layer on a serving plate.

Spread a generous layer of chocolate frosting across the top.

Place the second cake layer carefully on top.

Spread frosting over the top of the cake.

Continue spreading the frosting down the sides until the entire cake is covered.

For a simple homemade appearance, leave the frosting slightly textured.

For a more polished presentation, use an offset spatula or cake scraper to smooth the sides.

Finish with chocolate shavings or a small handful of chocolate morsels if desired.

The Warm Chocolate Method

This cake is particularly delicious when served warm.

Allow the finished cake to rest at room temperature.

Cut a generous slice and place it on a dessert plate.

If desired, warm the slice gently for several seconds in the microwave. The purpose is simply to soften the cake and slightly melt the chocolate rather than heat it completely.

Place a scoop of vanilla ice cream beside the warm slice.

As the ice cream begins to melt over the warm chocolate cake, the combination of temperatures and textures creates an exceptionally indulgent dessert.

Why Chocolate Lovers Love This Cake

This cake is designed for serious chocolate lovers.

The cake itself contains melted chocolate morsels, while the frosting contains another generous quantity of chocolate.

The strong coffee intensifies the chocolate flavor, sour cream contributes moisture and tenderness, and the chocolate frosting provides a smooth, fudgy finish.

Every bite combines a tender chocolate crumb with a rich chocolate coating.

It is the kind of dessert that works equally well for birthdays, holidays, dinner parties, family gatherings, potlucks, or an ordinary evening when you simply want something special.

Tips for the Best Results

Do Not Overbake

Chocolate cakes can become dry when baked too long. Begin checking the cake near the end of the recommended baking time.

Use Room-Temperature Eggs and Sour Cream

Room-temperature ingredients generally incorporate more easily into the batter and help produce a more consistent texture.

Use Strong Coffee

Coffee deepens the chocolate flavor without making the finished cake taste strongly of coffee.

Cool Completely Before Frosting

This is one of the most important steps. Warm cake can cause the frosting to melt and make the layers difficult to assemble.

Be Patient With the Frosting

The frosting may look too thin immediately after preparation. It thickens as it cools.

Serve at Room Temperature

For the richest flavor and softest texture, allow refrigerated cake to sit at room temperature before serving.

Variations

Extra Chocolate Version

Add additional chocolate morsels between the cake layers before applying the frosting.

Chocolate Ganache Finish

Prepare a simple ganache using chocolate and heavy cream and drizzle it over the finished cake.

Chocolate Chip Topping

Sprinkle miniature chocolate morsels over the top while the frosting is still slightly soft.

Nutty Chocolate Cake

Add chopped pecans or walnuts between the layers for a pleasant contrast of textures.

Chocolate Ice Cream Version

For the ultimate chocolate dessert, serve the warm cake with chocolate ice cream instead of vanilla.

Serving Suggestions

Serve each slice with:

  • Vanilla ice cream
  • Fresh strawberries
  • Whipped cream
  • Chocolate sauce
  • Caramel sauce
  • Chocolate curls
  • Chopped toasted pecans
  • A cup of coffee or espresso

For the classic experience, however, warm cake and vanilla ice cream are hard to beat.

Storage

Store leftover cake covered in the refrigerator.

For the best texture, allow refrigerated slices to come closer to room temperature before serving.

Individual slices can also be gently warmed before serving, particularly when you want the chocolate to become soft and slightly melty.

Conclusion

Nestlé Toll House Death by Chocolate Cake is the kind of dessert that earns its name. It combines a tender, deeply chocolatey cake with an intensely rich chocolate frosting, creating a dessert that is wonderfully decadent from the first bite to the last.

The real beauty of this recipe is that it does not rely on complicated decorating techniques. The chocolate itself provides all the drama.

For chocolate lovers, this is more than an ordinary cake. It is a celebration of everything that makes chocolate desserts irresistible: a moist crumb, melted chocolate, rich frosting, deep flavor, and a luxurious finish.

And when served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream slowly melting beside it, this cake becomes an unforgettable dessert that is very difficult to resist.

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