Homemade KFC Chocolate Cake Recipe

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Are you a fan of KFC’s irresistibly moist and chocolatey cake and find yourself craving it at random times? Well, you’re not alone! If you’ve ever sunk your fork into a slice of KFC Chocolate Cake, you know it’s not just any ordinary fast-food dessert. This rich, decadent treat can transform a simple meal into a memorable dining experience, making it a must-try for anyone with a sweet tooth. But what if I told you that you don’t need to drive to your nearest KFC every time that craving hits? With a few simple ingredients and some baking enthusiasm, you can recreate the magic of KFC’s Chocolate Cake right in your own kitchen!

How to make KFC Chocolate Cake

KFC Chocolate Cake is a dessert item offered by KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) at select locations, depending on the region or country. It is a rich and moist chocolate cake, typically served as a single serving or in slices. The cake is often paired with a layer of chocolate frosting, making it a decadent treat to enjoy after a meal.

Ingredients:

For the cake:

• 1 and 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour
• 2 cups of granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons of baking soda
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup of buttermilk (or substitute by adding a tablespoon of white vinegar to a cup of milk)
• 1 cup of strong black coffee (cooled)
• 1/2 cup of vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

For the frosting:

• 1/2 cup of butter, softened
• 2/3 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3 cups of powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup of milk
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Instructions:

Cake:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or one large rectangular pan.
2. Sift together the dry ingredients — the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt — into a large bowl and mix them until well combined.
3. Add the eggs, buttermilk, coffee, oil, and vanilla to the dry ingredients and beat slowly for about two minutes; the batter will be thin.
4. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pans.
5. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven or until a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
6. Cool for 10 minutes in the pans, then remove the cakes from them and transfer them to wire racks to cool completely. This is crucial for a moist cake.

Frosting:

1. Beat the butter until it’s light and fluffy.
2. Gradually add cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and milk, continuously beating on medium speed.
3. Add vanilla extract and beat the frosting until it’s smooth and spreadable. If it’s too thick, add a bit more milk; if it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar.
4. Frost the cake once it’s completely cooled. For a two-layer cake, place one cake layer on your serving plate, spread a layer of frosting, then add the second layer and continue to frost the top and the sides.

Tips:

• Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature to achieve a smooth blend.
• To reduce the coffee flavor, you can use decaffeinated coffee or just hot water, though coffee deepens the chocolate flavor without making the cake taste like coffee.
• Buttermilk is essential for its acidity, which reacts with the baking soda to help the cake rise and become fluffy.
• For a glossier frosting look, you can melt the butter before mixing it with the cocoa powder.
• Be sure not to overbake the cake. Start checking it a few minutes before the recommended time is up.
• When mixing your cake batter, don’t overmix—mix just until the ingredients are combined and no flour streaks remain. Overmixing can make the cake tough.

What to serve with

When you whip up a delicious chocolate cake like the KFC-inspired version we’ve discussed, it’s great to know the best accompaniments to elevate your dessert experience.

Classic Beverages

1. Coffee: A hot cup of coffee pairs wonderfully with KFC chocolate cake. The bitter notes of the coffee balance the sweetness of the cake, enhancing the chocolate flavor.

2. Milk: Cold milk is a classic pairing for any chocolate dessert. Its creamy texture and neutral flavor contrast the richness of the chocolate, making each bite of cake satisfyingly delicious.

3. Ice-cold water: Sometimes, simplicity is key. Cold water can cleanse the palate between bites, preparing your taste buds for more chocolate goodness.

Ice Cream

1. Vanilla Ice Cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream is a timeless accompaniment to KFC chocolate cake. The vanilla flavor complements the chocolate without overpowering it, and the creaminess adds a lovely texture contrast.

2. Coffee Ice Cream: If you’re a fan of mocha, serving coffee ice cream with your chocolate cake could be a perfect choice. It intensifies the coffee undertones in the chocolate.

3. Cherry Ice Cream: For a bit of a tangy twist, cherry ice cream can be a delightful companion to chocolate cake, adding a fruity flare that cuts through the richness.

Whipped Cream

Light and airy whipped cream can be dolloped on top of a slice of chocolate cake or served alongside. It adds a luxurious smoothness that complements the dense texture of the KFC chocolate cake.

Fresh Fruits

1. Strawberries: Fresh strawberries add a pop of color and their slight acidity and sweetness enhance the deep chocolate flavors.

2. Raspberries: Like strawberries, raspberries provide a bright contrast to the depth of the chocolate, offering a zesty note that makes the cake even more enticing.

Nutty Additions

1. Chopped Nuts: Sprinkle chopped almonds, walnuts, or pecans over or alongside your cake. Nuts add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor that pairs wonderfully with chocolate.

2. Nutella: A small dollop of Nutella or any hazelnut spread can be served on the side, perfect for dipping or spreading over a warm slice of cake.

Dessert Wines

1. Port Wine: A glass of Port can be an elegant accompaniment to chocolate cake, offering a complexity that enhances the dessert experience.

2. Sweet Sherry: Similar to Port, a sweet Sherry complements richer desserts and works well with the flavors of a dense, moist chocolate cake.

Ingredients Substitutes

Aiming to recreate the indulgence of KFC chocolate cake at home sometimes requires a bit of creativity, especially when you lack some ingredients.

Flour Substitutes

All-Purpose Flour: If the recipe calls for cake flour but you only have all-purpose flour, you can make it work. Use 1 cup minus 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour for every cup of cake flour. Mix it with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to mimic the lighter texture of cake flour.

Sugar Substitutes

Granulated Sugar: For recipes requiring granulated sugar, if what you have is coarse, you can pulse it in a food processor to get a finer texture. In a pinch, you can use brown sugar or powdered sugar (1 cup granulated = 1 cup powdered), but note that it might slightly alter the cake’s texture and flavor.

Cocoa Powder

Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: If you don’t have unsweetened cocoa powder, you can substitute it with the same amount of unsweetened baking chocolate. For every 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder, use 1 ounce of unsweetened chocolate and decrease the fat (like butter or oil) in the recipe by 1 tablespoon.

Eggs

• Eggs: If you’re out of eggs, there are several substitutes you can use for moisture and binding:
• Applesauce: Use ¼ cup of unsweetened applesauce for each egg.
• Bananas: ½ of a mashed ripe banana can replace one egg.
• Flaxseeds or Chia Seeds: To replace one egg, mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseeds or chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water until fully absorbed and gelatinous.

Oil

Vegetable Oil: If the recipe calls for vegetable oil and you don’t have it, you can substitute it with an equal amount of melted coconut oil, applesauce, or even melted butter. This might slightly change the flavor or texture, but the cake will remain moist.

Milk

Milk: For recipes requiring milk, you can substitute an equal amount of buttermilk, almond milk, coconut milk, or soy milk. If you have heavy cream, you can dilute it with water (half cream, half water) to mimic the consistency of milk.

Sour Cream or Yogurt

Sour Cream or Yogurt: If you’re short on sour cream or yogurt, you can use each interchangeably in equal proportions. Alternatively, mix a little milk with lemon juice or vinegar (a tablespoon per cup of milk) and let it sit for 5 minutes to create a quick buttermilk, which offers a similar acidity and tenderness to baked goods.

Vanilla Extract

Vanilla Extract: As a substitute, you could use an equal amount of almond extract, though note that it has a stronger flavor. Or, in a chocolate cake, you might skip it without significantly affecting the overall taste, given the strong chocolate flavors.

Final Thoughts

It may take a trial or two to come as close as possible to KFC Chocolate Cake. So don’t get discouraged if the first attempt isn’t perfect. Enjoy the process, and soon enough, you’ll enjoy a homemade chocolate cake that might make you forget about the drive-thru!

More Chocolate Cake Recipes:

• Duncan Hines Swiss Chocolate Cake Mix Recipe
• Homemade Domino’s Choco Lava Cake Recipe
• Easy Molten Lava Cake Recipe