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Ultimate Death by Chocolate Brownie Cake

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Yep, I’m baking again! I have a good excuse this time and it’s not just to eat the goodies. It was my mother-in-law’s birthday this weekend and I just had to make her “my special birthday cake”. I’m a big believer that everyone should have cake on their birthday.

Adults get my special “Ultimate Death by Chocolate Brownie Cake” and my kids get a homemade cake of their choice. My 7 year old asked for a Justin Bieber cake or a puppy cake this year, and since I can’t let her get caught up in “Bieber-fever” this early, she got an adorable puppy cake!

So, back to the reason for this post – the Ultimate Death by Chocolate Brownie Cake!  I have been making this cake for family members (and friends!) for over 15 years and this is the first time I’m sharing it!  It’s so easy to make but so sinfully delicious that people ask for it year after year. And don’t get me wrong, this is NOT just a birthday cake. This is a cake for anytime or anywhere! No matter what the holiday, occasion or just ordinary day, you can fit in this cake. I’m sure you gathered from the name of the cake that it’s all chocolate!  If you are a chocolate-lover (and if you aren’t I’m not sure we can be friends!), you will love this cake. It will satisfy any chocolate fix you have. It’s chocolate cake, brownie, chocolate frosting and chocolate chips all combined to make a masterpiece!

Ultimate Death by Chocolate Brownie Cake

Ingredients

  • Chocolate Cake Mix (any chocolate flavor)
  • Brownie Mix (13×9 Family Size)
  • 2 cans of chocolate frosting (any chocolate flavor – dark, milk, fudge…etc)
  • 5 eggs (for the cake and brownie mix)
  • Veg oil (for the mixes)
  • One 12oz package of Nestle Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
  • Two (or three) 8″ round pans

Make the Cake & the Brownie:

1. Make the chocolate cake according to the box. Pour batter evenly into two lightly greased 8″ round pans and bake at 350 degrees for 32-37 minutes. Cake is done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a plate to cool completely.

2. Make the brownie mix according to the package. Pour entire brownie batter into one (1) lightly greased 8″ round pan. Make sure the brownie pan is the same size as the cake pans that you used!  Bake the brownie at 350 degrees for 25-27 minutes. Watch the brownies carefully as not to overcook them but make sure they aren’t completely doughy in the center.Cool in pan for 15 minutes before transferring to a plate to cool completely. I found it was easiest to remove the brownie carefully using a wide spatula underneath.

removing chocolate cake out of pan
three chocolate cake layers

Assemble the Cake:

3. Pick the plate you want the cake to be displayed on and start with one (1) cake layer. Frost the top of the cake layer with about 1/3 of one of the frosting containers. Sprinkle a handful of chocolate chips on that layer. (Note: Any chopped up candy – Reese’s, M&Ms, Heath Bits etc can be substituted for the chocolate chips to add another flavor!) Carefully place the brownie layer on top of the cake layer.

assembling a chocolate cake

4. Frost the top of the brownie layer with about 1/3 of one of the frosting containers. Sprinkle a handful of chocolate chips on that layer. Carefully place the 2nd cake layer on top of the brownie layer. Carefully frost the top of the cake with the remaining 1/3 of the frosting container.

assembling a chocolate and brownie cake

5. Spread the entire 2nd container of frosting on the sides and top of the cake. BEFORE THE FROSTING SETS, you need to apply the chocolate chips to the outside. Take a handful of chocolate chips at a time and firmly press against the side of the cake until most of the chips stick. Some chips will fall to the plate and you will use those to fill in the holes.

chocolate cake with hand holding chocolate chips

6. Repeat this process around the entire cake. Take the fallen chips and the chips that you have left and fill in the holes and sprinkle on top.

chocolate cake frosted and covered with chocolate chips

7. That’s it!  You will be the hit of the birthday, holiday or occasion!!  Enjoy! Look at the inside brownie layer!!!  To Die For!!!

chocolate cake with one slice removed
chocolate cake with one slice removed and placed on a plate
chocolate cake

Death By Chocolate Brownie Chocolate Cake

Hollie Schultz
This death by chocolate brownie cake combines your favorite chocolate cake and a brownie layer to make the most delicious cake around.
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 20 servings
Calories 481 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 chocolate cake mix
  • 1 family size brownie mix
  • 2 cans chocolate frosting
  • 5 eggs
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 12 oz semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions
 

Make the Cake and the Brownie Layers

  • Make the chocolate cake according to the box. Pour batter evenly into two lightly greased 8″ round pans and bake at 350 degrees for 32-37 minutes. Cake is done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a plate to cool completely.
  • Make the brownie mix according to the package. Pour entire brownie batter into one (1) lightly greased 8″ round pan. Make sure the brownie pan is the same size as the cake pans that you used!  Bake the brownie at 350 degrees for 25-27 minutes. Watch the brownies carefully as not to overcook them but make sure they aren’t completely doughy in the center.Cool in pan for 15 minutes before transferring to a plate to cool completely. I found it was easiest to remove the brownie carefully using a wide spatula underneath.

Assemble the Cake

  • Pick the plate you want the cake to be displayed on and start with one (1) cake layer. Frost the top of the cake layer with about 1/3 of one of the frosting containers. Sprinkle a handful of chocolate chips on that layer. (Note: Any chopped up candy – Reese’s, M&Ms, Heath Bits etc can be substituted for the chocolate chips to add another flavor!) Carefully place the brownie layer on top of the cake layer.
  • Frost the top of the brownie layer with about 1/3 of one of the frosting containers. Sprinkle a handful of chocolate chips on that layer. Carefully place the 2nd cake layer on top of the brownie layer. Carefully frost the top of the cake with the remaining 1/3 of the frosting container.
  • Spread the entire 2nd container of frosting on the sides and top of the cake. BEFORE THE FROSTING SETS, you need to apply the chocolate chips to the outside. Take a handful of chocolate chips at a time and firmly press against the side of the cake until most of the chips stick. Some chips will fall to the plate and you will use those to fill in the holes.
  • Repeat this process around the entire cake. Take the fallen chips and the chips that you have left and fill in the holes and sprinkle on top.

Nutrition

Calories: 481kcalCarbohydrates: 53gProtein: 4gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 279mgPotassium: 272mgFiber: 2gSugar: 41gVitamin A: 69IUCalcium: 53mgIron: 3mg
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Recipe Rating




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Andrea B.

Wednesday 20th of September 2017

I am so excited about this cake. Wanted something fancy yet easy to follow for my sister's birthday! It took me 4 hrs but your directions were great. Bringing it to her house tomorrow....can't wait to see her response! I added chopped pecans which she also loves (like it's not decadent enough). Wish I Could send you the pic! Thanks for the easy recipe!

amber

Friday 12th of February 2016

made this 2 years about for husband bday, now he requests it every year. . .I think he'd be really sad if I didn't make it , ha. Thanks!

Krissy

Friday 20th of March 2015

I'm not personally a chocolate person, but I'm surrounded by chocoholics. I'll definitely be utilizing this recipe the next time I've got something fun going on. It looks fantastic! I can understand why it's in such high demand amongst your family and friends!

amber

Friday 13th of February 2015

made this last yr for husbands bday, not he must have it every yr! it's awesome and so easy

Kaitana Quinette

Saturday 13th of December 2014

I just made this cake for my son's 17th birthday hangout. He can't wait to cut into it. I used chopped up mini Rolos and Twix in the brownie and all over the outside.

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