Why Nestlé Toll House Death by Chocolate Cake Wins Hearts
Discover the rich, fudgy delight of Nestlé Toll House Death by Chocolate Cake, an irresistible treat that wins hearts every time it’s served. This decadently layered chocolate cake combines intense cocoa flavors with creamy, silky frosting, creating a dessert experience that feels like a warm hug. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or a special occasion, this cake promises to satisfy every chocolate lover’s cravings and brings smiles all around.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultimate chocolate indulgence: Every bite delivers rich, deep chocolate flavor that melts in your mouth.
- Moist, fudgy texture: The cake stays delightfully soft thanks to the perfect balance of ingredients.
- Simple to make: With easy-to-find ingredients and straightforward steps, even beginners can bake this masterpiece.
- Versatile dessert: Great for birthdays, holidays, or any celebration that deserves a showstopper.
- Family favorite: Loved by kids and adults alike, it’s a surefire way to win over any crowd.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To create the perfect Nestlé Toll House Death by Chocolate Cake, you’ll need a handful of key ingredients that work together to build rich flavor, tender crumb, and luscious frosting. Each component plays a unique role in bringing out the cake’s signature taste and irresistible texture.
- Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels: The star ingredient providing authentic chocolate chunks that melt into gooey patches.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Adds a strong cocoa punch and deep color to the cake batter.
- All-purpose flour: Offers structure without making the cake tough.
- Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a moist crumb.
- Butter: Provides richness and a tender texture.
- Eggs: Bind ingredients and contribute to the cake’s fluffy rise.
- Milk and sour cream: Add moisture and a slight tang that intensifies flavor complexity.
- Baking soda and baking powder: Help the cake rise perfectly.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances overall flavor and rounds out chocolate notes.
- Heavy cream and chocolate chips: Blend into the decadent frosting for added creaminess.
Variations for Nestlé Toll House Death by Chocolate Cake
This recipe is wonderfully adaptable! Whether you want to tweak it for dietary needs or just add a personal twist, these variations make it easy to customize your chocolate indulgence without losing its signature charm.
- Gluten-free swap: Use a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour for those with sensitivities.
- Extra chocolate explosion: Add chopped dark chocolate or double the chocolate chips for an even richer bite.
- Dairy-free option: Replace butter with coconut oil and use plant-based milk alternatives to keep it vegan-friendly.
- Nutty addition: Mix in toasted walnuts or pecans for a satisfying crunch.
- Fruity flair: Serve with fresh raspberries or strawberries for a refreshing contrast.
How to Make Nestlé Toll House Death by Chocolate Cake
Step 1: Preparing the Oven and Pans
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, or line them with parchment paper to ensure your cake comes out cleanly after baking.
Step 2: Mixing Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. This step removes lumps and creates a light, airy base for your batter.
Step 3: Creaming Butter and Sugar
Using a stand mixer or electric hand mixer, beat softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This process incorporates air that helps the cake rise beautifully.
Step 4: Adding Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Eggs provide structure and help bind the cake ingredients together.
Step 5: Incorporating Dry Ingredients and Liquids Alternately
Add the dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with the milk and sour cream. Start and end with the dry mix. Mix gently to avoid over-beating, which can make the cake dense.
Step 6: Folding in Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
Gently fold in the chocolate chips, spreading richness and creating pockets of melted chocolate throughout the batter.
Step 7: Baking the Cake Layers
Pour the batter evenly into prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean with moist crumbs. Allow layers to cool completely before frosting.
Step 8: Making the Chocolate Frosting
To prepare the frosting, melt chocolate chips with heavy cream over low heat, stirring until smooth. Beat in softened butter and powdered sugar until luscious and spreadable.
Step 9: Assembling the Cake
Place one cake layer on a serving plate, spread a generous layer of frosting, then top with the second layer. Cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting in elegant, thick swirls.
Pro Tips for Making Nestlé Toll House Death by Chocolate Cake
- Room temperature ingredients: Ensure butter, eggs, and dairy are at room temp for even mixing and a tender crumb.
- Don’t over-mix: Stir until just combined to keep the cake moist and fluffy.
- Use quality cocoa powder: This significantly impacts the chocolate intensity and color.
- Check doneness early: Start testing with a toothpick at 30 minutes to avoid drying out the cake.
- Cool completely before frosting: Prevent the frosting from melting or sliding off by frosting only once the cake is fully cooled.
How to Serve Nestlé Toll House Death by Chocolate Cake
Garnishes
Top your creation with fresh raspberries, a dusting of cocoa powder, or shaved chocolate curls to add visual interest and enhance flavor layers.
Side Dishes
Pair the cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of raspberry coulis for a tantalizing contrast of temperatures and textures.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve individual slices stacked with a dollop of frosting and a sprinkle of nuts, or cut into mini squares for bite-sized treats at parties and gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep the cake covered tightly in the refrigerator to maintain freshness for up to 5 days. Bring it to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
Freezing
Wrap the cake layers separately in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and frost freshly before serving.
Reheating
Warm individual slices gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to revive that melty chocolate sensation without drying out the cake.
FAQs
Can I use dark chocolate instead of semi-sweet for Nestlé Toll House Death by Chocolate Cake?
Yes, substituting dark chocolate chips will offer a richer, more intense chocolate flavor, but it may slightly reduce sweetness, so adjust sugar if necessary.
Is it possible to make this cake gluten-free?
Absolutely! Replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend, ensuring it contains xanthan gum to maintain texture and structure.
How long does this cake stay fresh?
Properly stored, the cake stays moist and fresh for up to 5 days refrigerated, but it’s best enjoyed within the first two days for peak flavor.
Can I make the frosting ahead of time?
Yes, the frosting can be prepared a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Bring it to room temperature and re-whip briefly before frosting the cake.
What’s the secret to making the cake moist yet stable?
The combination of sour cream and butter in the batter balances moisture and structure, resulting in a cake that’s tender without being crumbly.
Final Thoughts
The Nestlé Toll House Death by Chocolate Cake is more than just a dessert—it’s a beloved classic that delivers irresistible chocolate goodness every time. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a passionate beginner, this cake offers a beautiful way to celebrate life’s sweetest moments. Give it a try and watch it win hearts at your next gathering!
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Nestlé Toll House Death by Chocolate Cake
Discover the rich, fudgy delight of Nestlé Toll House Death by Chocolate Cake, an irresistibly decadent layered chocolate cake featuring intense cocoa flavors and creamy, silky frosting. Perfect for any celebration or chocolate lover, this moist and fudgy cake is simple to make and guaranteed to impress.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Total Time: 55-60 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Can be gluten-free if gluten-free flour blend is used
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend)
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened (or coconut oil for dairy-free)
- 2 cups sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup milk (or plant-based alternative)
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 ½ cups Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
Frosting Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- ¾ cup heavy cream (or non-dairy alternative)
- ½ cup (1 stick) butter, softened
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preparing the Oven and Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans, or line them with parchment paper to ensure the cake releases cleanly after baking.
- Mixing Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt to remove lumps and create a light, airy base for the batter.
- Creaming Butter and Sugar: Using a stand mixer or electric hand mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This incorporates air for a beautiful rise.
- Adding Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract to enhance flavor.
- Incorporating Dry Ingredients and Liquids Alternately: Add the dry ingredient mixture in three parts, alternating with milk and sour cream. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix gently to avoid overbeating.
- Folding in Chocolate Morsels: Gently fold the Nestlé Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels into the batter to create pockets of melted chocolate.
- Baking the Cake Layers: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with moist crumbs. Allow layers to cool completely.
- Making the Chocolate Frosting: Melt chocolate chips with heavy cream over low heat, stirring until smooth. Beat in softened butter and powdered sugar until the frosting is luscious and spreadable.
- Assembling the Cake: Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread a generous layer of frosting on top. Then place the second cake layer and cover the entire cake with the remaining frosting, creating thick, elegant swirls.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients (butter, eggs, dairy) for even mixing and a tender crumb.
- Do not over-mix the batter to keep the cake moist and fluffy.
- Choose good quality cocoa powder to enhance chocolate flavor and color.
- Check cake doneness starting at 30 minutes to avoid overbaking and drying out.
- Allow the cake layers to cool completely before frosting to prevent frosting from melting or sliding.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 38 g
- Sodium: 260 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: chocolate cake, Nestlé Toll House, Death by Chocolate, fudgy cake, chocolate dessert, layered cake, chocolate frosting