Hersheys Chocolate Cake With Cream Cheese Filling Recipe

Heavenly Hersheys Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Filling Recipe

Decadent layers of rich chocolate mingle with velvety cream cheese filling in this ultimate hershey’s chocolate cake that promises pure indulgence.

Chocolate lovers will find this dessert irresistibly smooth and deeply satisfying.

Every slice tells a story of sweet perfection and culinary passion.

The combination of deep cocoa notes and creamy filling creates a heavenly contrast that melts in your mouth.

Each carefully crafted layer reflects a commitment to delicious tradition.

Chocolate enthusiasts won’t be able to resist this show-stopping cake that elevates dessert to an art form.

Why You’ll Love This Hershey’s Chocolate Cake

  • Elevate Chocolate Indulgence: Dive into a rich, decadent chocolate cake that satisfies even the most intense cocoa cravings with its deep, intense flavor profile.
  • Impress with Elegant Layers: Create a stunning dessert with multiple cake layers and creamy filling that looks professionally crafted, making you feel like a top-tier baker.
  • Perfect Party Showstopper: Wow guests with a beautiful, towering cake that combines classic chocolate goodness with luxurious cream cheese elements, ideal for celebrations and special gatherings.
  • Beginner-Friendly Baking: Enjoy a straightforward recipe with simple steps that allows home bakers of all skill levels to successfully create a delicious, restaurant-quality dessert without complicated techniques.

What You Need for Hershey’s Cake with Cream Cheese

Dry Ingredients:
  • Sugar: Sweet crystalline ingredient for delightful flavor.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Basic baking foundation for cake structure.
  • Cocoa Powder: Rich chocolate base for deep flavor.
  • Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Leavening agents for fluffy texture.
  • Salt: Enhances overall cake taste.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Eggs: Binding agent for smooth cake consistency.
  • Milk: Adds moisture and richness.
  • Vegetable Oil: Ensures cake remains tender.
  • Vanilla Extract: Aromatic flavor enhancer.
  • Boiling Water: Helps create thin cake batter.
Cream Cheese Filling and Frosting Components:
  • Cream Cheese: Smooth and tangy dairy product.
  • Powdered Sugar: Fine sugar for silky texture.
  • Butter: Creamy ingredient for rich buttercream.
  • Milk: Adjusts frosting consistency.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds warm flavor accent.

How to Bake Hershey’s Chocolate Cake with Filling

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Carefully grease two 9-inch round cake pans and dust with flour to prevent sticking.

Set aside your baking tools and ingredients.

Step 2: Mix Dry Cake Ingredients

Combine in a large mixing bowl:
  • Sugar
  • All-purpose flour
  • Cocoa powder
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Salt

Whisk these ingredients together until well blended.

Step 3: Create Cake Batter

Add to the dry ingredients:
  • Eggs
  • Milk
  • Vegetable oil
  • Vanilla extract

Beat the mixture on medium speed for about 2 minutes until smooth and fully incorporated.

Slowly stir in boiling water, which will make the batter appear thin.

This is normal and creates a moist cake.

Step 4: Bake the Cake Layers

Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans.

Bake for 30-35 minutes.

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean.

Remove from oven and let cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Step 5: Prepare Cream Cheese Filling

In a mixing bowl, blend cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.

Beat until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.

Step 6: Make Chocolate Cream Cheese Buttercream

In another bowl, beat butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy.

Gradually add cocoa powder and powdered sugar, mixing thoroughly.

Stir in vanilla extract and add milk until you reach the desired frosting consistency.

Step 7: Assemble the Cake

Carefully slice each cake layer horizontally to create four total layers.

Place the first layer on a serving plate.

Spread one-third of the cream cheese filling evenly.

Repeat with remaining layers, alternating cake and filling.

Once stacked, frost the entire cake with the chocolate cream cheese buttercream.

Step 8: Final Touch

Smooth the buttercream around the sides and top of the cake.

Optionally, decorate with chocolate shavings or additional piped frosting for an elegant finish.

Tips for a Better Hershey’s Cream Cheese Cake

  • Use exact measurements for consistent texture and taste, especially in baking where precision matters.
  • Blend cake ingredients just until combined to prevent tough, dense cake layers that lose their soft, tender crumb.
  • Allow cake layers to cool entirely to room temperature, preventing filling from melting and ensuring clean, neat assembly.
  • Insert a toothpick near the center; it should come out clean with minimal crumbs for perfect baking results.
  • Add milk gradually when making buttercream to control consistency and achieve a silky, spreadable frosting.

Store and Serve Hershey’s Cake the Right Way

  • Store cake covered in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Keep refrigerated to maintain cream cheese filling's freshness and prevent spoilage.
  • Let cake sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to soften buttercream and enhance flavor.
  • Wrap cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
  • Gently warm individual slices in microwave for 10-15 seconds. Avoid overheating to prevent drying out the cake's texture.

Dessert Pairings for Hershey’s Chocolate Cake

  • Pair Decadent Chocolate Red Wine: A bold, full-bodied red like Cabernet Sauvignon perfectly complements the rich chocolate cake, enhancing its deep cocoa notes and cutting through the creamy texture.
  • Elevate with Coffee Companion: Serve alongside a strong espresso or cappuccino, which balances the cake's sweetness and brings out the intense chocolate flavor, creating a classic dessert experience.
  • Match with Raspberry Liqueur: Drizzle a small glass of raspberry liqueur beside the cake, adding a bright, fruity contrast that beautifully highlights the chocolate's depth and cream cheese's tanginess.
  • Enhance with Vanilla Bourbon: A smooth bourbon with vanilla undertones works wonderfully, providing a warm, sophisticated counterpoint to the cake's rich chocolate and creamy filling.

Flavorful Takes on Hershey’s Cake with Filling

  • Gluten-Free Chocolate Delight: Swap regular flour with almond or coconut flour to create a gluten-free version of the cake, maintaining its rich chocolate flavor while accommodating those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Vegan Chocolate Cream Sensation: Replace eggs with mashed bananas or flax eggs, use plant-based milk, and substitute dairy cream cheese with cashew or tofu-based cream cheese for a completely vegan cake experience.
  • Low-Sugar Chocolate Dream: Substitute sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, and use sugar-free chocolate cocoa powder to reduce overall sugar content while keeping the cake's decadent taste.
  • Dairy-Free Chocolate Bliss: Replace milk with almond or oat milk, use coconut cream cheese alternative, and swap butter with coconut oil to create a delicious dairy-free version of the classic chocolate cake.

FAQs

  • Can I use a different type of cocoa powder in this recipe?

Yes, you can use natural or Dutch-processed cocoa powder, but dark cocoa powder will give the richest chocolate flavor and darkest color.

  • Is it necessary to use boiling water in the cake batter?

Yes, boiling water helps bloom the cocoa powder, creating a deeper chocolate taste and achieving a moist, tender cake texture.

  • How do I prevent my cake layers from breaking when cutting them horizontally?

Use a long serrated knife and make slow, gentle sawing motions. Ensure the cake is completely cooled before slicing, and rotate the cake as you cut for even layers.

  • Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can bake the cake layers and prepare the fillings a day in advance. Store cake layers wrapped in plastic at room temperature, and refrigerate the fillings until ready to assemble.

Print
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Hersheys Chocolate Cake With Cream Cheese Filling Recipe

Hersheys Chocolate Cake With Cream Cheese Filling Recipe


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4.9 from 13 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Sinful Hershey’s chocolate cake delights dessert enthusiasts with rich layers of moist chocolate and creamy cream cheese. Sweet indulgence promises pure chocolate bliss for passionate bakers and chocolate lovers.


Ingredients

Scale

Cake Ingredients:

  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup Hershey’s Cocoa
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup boiling water

Cream Cheese Filling:

  • 1 cup cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Chocolate Frosting:

  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
  • 3/4 cup Hershey’s Cocoa
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 24 tablespoons milk (as needed)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven by setting the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and prepare two 9-inch round baking pans with grease and flour.
  2. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients: sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Incorporate eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla, mixing thoroughly on medium speed for 2 minutes until well blended.
  3. Gently fold in the boiling water, which will create a thin batter consistency. Carefully distribute the batter evenly between the prepared pans.
  4. Place the pans in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean when the cake is fully baked.
  5. Remove cakes from the oven and allow to cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
  6. Prepare the cream cheese filling by whipping cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
  7. Create the chocolate cream cheese buttercream by beating butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Gradually incorporate cocoa and powdered sugar, mixing thoroughly.
  8. Add vanilla and milk to the buttercream, adjusting the consistency to achieve a spreadable texture.
  9. Using a serrated knife, carefully slice each cake layer horizontally to create four separate layers.
  10. Begin cake assembly by placing the first layer on a serving plate. Spread one-third of the cream cheese filling evenly across the layer.
  11. Continue layering cake and filling, repeating the process until all layers are stacked.
  12. Generously frost the entire cake with the prepared chocolate cream cheese buttercream, ensuring complete coverage.

Notes

  • Ensure precise measuring of ingredients for a consistent and perfectly textured cake.
  • Use room temperature ingredients to help them blend seamlessly and create a smoother batter.
  • When adding boiling water, mix gently to maintain the batter’s delicate texture and prevent overmixing.
  • To prevent sticking, line cake pans with parchment paper in addition to greasing and flouring.
  • Test cake doneness by gently pressing the center – it should spring back when fully baked.
  • For a lighter cream cheese filling, fold in whipped cream for extra airiness.
  • Chill cake layers before assembling to make them easier to handle and prevent crumbling.
  • Create a crumb coat with buttercream before final frosting for a cleaner, more professional appearance.
  • Dairy-free alternative: Substitute cream cheese with coconut cream and use plant-based milk.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 380
  • Sugar: 43 g
  • Sodium: 350 mg
  • Fat: 16 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 54 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 45 mg
James Hambly

James Hambly

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development, Culinary Education, Farm-to-Table Cooking, Southern Cuisine

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Hands-on training in professional cooking techniques, emphasizing farm-to-table practices and Southern cuisine.

The Chef’s Academy
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive culinary education covering global cuisines, kitchen management, and food safety.​


James grew up surrounded by the smells of cast-iron skillets and slow-cooked Southern meals in Asheville, North Carolina.
He sharpened his skills with a Certificate in Culinary Arts from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, and later leveled up with an Associate Degree from The Chef’s Academy.
James’s philosophy is simple: the best meals don’t need fancy tricks, just fresh ingredients, a hot pan, and a little bit of heart. His favorite days are spent testing one-pan wonders, chasing bold flavors, and creating recipes that feel easy, even on a busy night.

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