This rich and fudgy chocolate brownie cake recipe from scratch or box mix with chocolate frosting, chocolate ganache and chocolate candies is easy to make with simple ingredients. This layer cake or stack cake tower is perfect for birthdays and many other special occasions.
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This dessert is great for kids birthday parties and is definitely a chocoholic's dream come true. Use lots of candies that you like and just have fun with it. Cake decorating has seriously never been easier! Check out these Easy Cake Decorating Ideas (Beginners) or even these Bundt Cake Decorating Ideas for more inspiration.
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Key ingredients
- Brownies- These can be homemade from scratch or you can use a box mix. Make sure you have three individual brownies baked in three round pans.
- Frosting- I recommend using chocolate buttercream frosting.
- Chocolate chips- These should be semisweet.
- Heavy cream- This is not the same as evaporated milk or condensed milk or half and half. Please read labels properly.
- Butter- Make sure it's unsalted.
- Chocolate candies- Get a variety of shapes and flavors such as Reese's cups, Twix, Mars, Kinder, Whoppers, Kit Kats e.t.c. These are used as decoration for the cake.
Variations
- Try different frosting flavors- I wanted to make a loaded chocolate cake and thus, used chocolate icing. However, get creative and pair this cake with a simple Homemade Whipped Cream or Classic American Buttercream Frosting or this Marshmallow Frosting. You can even try fruit-based frosting because chocolate and fruits go hand in hand. Try this Maraschino Cherry Frosting or this Blackberry Buttercream Frosting. For a more texture, pair with my German Chocolate Cake Frosting (Coconut Pecan Frosting).
- Cookie dough cake- Replace chocolate icing with Edible Eggless Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough between each layer. You can even use Eggless Peanut Butter Cookie Dough.
- Ice cream cake- After you have layered the cake, place scoops of chocolate and vanilla ice cream on top and then decorate with all the chocolate candies. Serve immediately before the ice cream melts.
- Birthday version- Toss colorful candies on the cake, along with a variety of sprinkles. You can even stick those cute little birthday candles.
- Try different drizzles- Instead of drizzling ganache over the cake, drizzle Homemade Caramel Sauce or warm Nutella or warm peanut butter or even chocolate fudge sauce.
- Add nuts- You can chopped nuts (walnuts, almonds, pistachios, pecans) in the batter or sprinkle them between each layer and also sprinkle them on top. It will give this cake a nice subtle crunch.
How to make easy brownie cake recipe from scratch or box mix?
1. Prepare brownie batter and bake brownies- In three round 8 inch pans and allow them to cool fully.
2. Assemble first layer- By spreading some icing on your cake stand and placing one round baked brownie on top of the icing.
3. Spread frosting on top- Using a spatula.
4. Assemble second layer- By placing the second baked round brownie on top of the frosting.
5. Spread frosting on top- Using a spatula.
6. Assemble third layer- By placing the third baked round brownie on top of the frosting.
7. Decorate final layer- Spread chocolate frosting on top with a spatula and stick lots of candy bars.
8. Drizzle ganache- On top of the cake and you are done.
Tips and Techniques
- Enhance chocolate flavor- This can be done by adding a a little espresso powder (1-2 tsp) in the brownie batter and ganache. It also helps cut the sweetness of this rich cake.
- How to make fudgy brownies? My best advice is that it's best to UNDER-BAKE than over-bake. The brownies are ready when a toothpick is inserted in the center and comes out with some wet crumbs. It should not come out dripping with brownie batter.
- Use sharp knife for slicing- This makes really clean-cut slices and prevents the layers from digging into each other. Please note that you will have to remove some of the chocolate decorations to make it easier to slice this cake.
- Add layers or reduce layers- If you don't want to make a triple layer cake, you can easily make one batch of brownies and use that to make a single layer cake.
- Use a variety of chocolate candies- For the best appearance and consistent brown color theme, use only semisweet or milk chocolates but in a variety of shapes. I even tossed some chocolate chips.
- Don't assemble or decorate a warm cake- Make sure everything is at room temperature or else the frosting will start to melt and you will end up with sticky dripping mess.
- Box Brownies vs. Homemade Brownies- You can use either. A box is always a great option when you are short on time. Also, if you don't have a brownie box, you can try my delicious recipe for Cake Mix Brownies. If you do have time, you really must check out this entire category of Brownies and Bars and choose any recipe you fancy. There are lots of recipes there from scratch, just like the one that was used in this specific cake.
Recipe FAQs
No, that's not necessary. If you are turning into a tiered cake, however, then yes you will need to add dowels to prevent this cake from falling apart.
Yes. You can add an extra egg to the box mix to create a create more cake-like texture but it will still be on the denser fudgy side than regular cake recipes that you make.
No, the batters are different. Brownie batter is typically thicker and has less leavening agents and liquids. Cake batter which is thinner and has more leavening agents and more liquids.
Storage
- Refrigerate- In a sealed container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze- In a sealed container for up to 1 month.
- Room temperature- In a covered container for 1 day.
- Make ahead- This can easily be made 1-2 days in advance.
More brownie recipes
- Fudgy Black Bean Brownies
- Fudgy Avocado Brownies
- Nutella Brownies (3 Ingredients)
- Carrot Brownies
- Fudgy Oreo Brownies
Recipe
Easy Chocolate Brownie Cake (From Scratch or Box Mix)
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Ingredients
Brownies:
- Fudgy Brownies with Crackly Tops Double the recipe and bake it in 3 round pans
Frosting
Chocolate Ganache
- 1 cup Chocolate chips Semisweet
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Butter Unsalted
Decoration
- 1 cup Chocolate candies Use a variety of shapes and flavors
Instructions
- Double the brownie recipe and divide the batter in three 8 inch round pans. Bake and let the brownies cool down completely.
- While the brownies are baking and cooling, prepare chocolate frosting.
- Also, make the chocolate ganache: In a microwave-safe bowl, add chocolate chips, heavy cream and butter. Heat in the microwave at 30 second increments, mixing after each interval. Continue doing this until you have a smooth and creamy mixture. Keep aside.
- Place one brownie on a cake stand.
- Place the other brownie on top of the frosting and gently press it to secure it
- Place the final brownie on top and spread frosting again.
- Stick chocolate candies.
- Drizzle chocolate ganache all over the assembled cake. You don't have to use all the ganache and you will end up with leftovers to use on other desserts. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- In this video, I used a brownie mix box to make this cake because I wanted to show you can still make a showstopper dessert when you are short on time and need something quick and convenient. That being said, I have linked to my brownie recipe from scratch in this recipe card too. Both yield delicious results.
- Try mixing add-ins to your brownie batter before baking such as chopped up candy bars, chocolate chips, nuts, Oreos, swirls of peanut butter or Nutella. This adds more decadence to your dessert.
- Don't assemble a warm cake because the heat will cause the icing to melt and create a sticky mess.
- Use a variety flavors and shapes when it comes to the candy decorations for the best possible overall look.
- Read additional tips and variations above.
- Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
An automated tool is used to calculate the nutritional information. As such, I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information provided for any recipe on this site.
Jessica
Yep. Delicious and so pretty!
Abeer Rizvi
Thanks Jessica!
Amy Stafford
This cake is so much fun! Love the oreo topping.
Abeer Rizvi
I made them all stand up to give a fun abstract look...hehhe
Ashlyn
I am obsessed with the specialty oreos! This brownie cake looks so good, I can't wait to try it once I have my kitchen back after our move is over!
Abeer Rizvi
Specialty Oreos are seriously my weakness! Have you tried the peanut butter ones? Omg...So good!
Joanie
I haven't picked up the new Oreo's yet but this recipe convinces me that I need to. What a fabulous looking cake. My son has a birthday coming up, this would be perfect!
Abeer Rizvi
If your kiddo loves Oreos, you should totally make this cake for his birthday and and stick a bunch of candles on top...That would be so cool!
Michelle
I'm such a sucker for all those fun Oreo flavors!! This brownie cake looks perfect with the Oreos!
Abeer Rizvi
Me too! Although I have to admit, a few of them have not really been my cup of tea (e.g. the watermelon flavored ones but they were still very pretty...lol).
Cathy Trochelman
So many awesome flavors in one dessert! I love this!
Abeer Rizvi
Thanks Cathy! It's too bad those funfetti oreos are seasonal or else I would be making these brownies all the time...lol.
Ritika
This recipe sounds so amazing and I can't wait to try it out. However there's a hitch.
Where I stay, brown sugar is super expensive and quite hard to get so is there any way I can use white sugar instead?
I've read of molasses being a common substitute but that too is unavailable here.
Abeer Rizvi
I have not tried it with just granulated sugar so I can't guarantee your results. I personally think that brown sugar adds more flavor and moisture to brownies, making them more "ooey gooey." If you try this recipe, using just granulated sugar, plz let me know your results because I am intrigued.
Ashpazkhaneha
you are perfect i love this cake
Nancy
Do you think the unsassembled layers would freeze well and still be good when thawing? I'm trying to find a recipe that I could make a few days ahead of my son's birthday party so on the night before the party I'd only need to decorate.
Abeer Rizvi
Yes, I think that should work well. Let me know what your family and friends think of this cake.
Soraya
I can’t wait to make it! Can I make and assemble the cake one day before?
Abeer Rizvi
Yes, absolutely.
AJ
Hi, want to make this for my sons 18th, would it work with chocolate pastry cream instead of frosting between the layers?
Abeer Rizvi
I don't recommend it. Brownie cakes are heavier that traditional cakes and since pastry cream is not as firm as buttercream frosting, I am worried the pastry cream will just ooze out with all the weight.
Melanie
Are there any tips or tricks to get the brownie rounds out of the pan in one piece?? How do you prep your pans?? Thank you!!
Abeer Rizvi
Line pans with foil paper and spray with oil. Works so much better than wax paper or parchment paper.
Suzanne
This looks so good ! What a fun cake to make for a party!
Vanessa
Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?
Abeer Rizvi
You can keep it in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.