Cheryl Day’s Chocolate Church Cake Recipe is a decadent treat featuring a chocolate sponge layer, a dark chocolate buttercream filling, and sprinkles. This dessert is perfect for church or Easter celebrations. Here is the recipe for this church-style cake.
How to make Cheryl Day’s Chocolate Church Cake Recipe?
Total Time Breakdown:
Baking Time: 40 to 50 minutes at 350°F (for three 9-inch pans)
- Some versions mention 32 to 35 minutes, depending on the pan configuration
Cooling Time: 20 minutes in pans, then complete cooling on a wire rack
Preparation Time: Not explicitly stated, but this involves:
- Mixing the cake batter (approximately 15-20 minutes)
- Making the frosting (approximately 20-30 minutes, including time for it to cool and thicken)
- Assembling the three-layer cake (approximately 15-20 minutes)
Total time: 2.5 to 3 hours total
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 6 ounces dark chocolate, plus two tablespoons chopped cacao nibs
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 5 large eggs at room temperature
- 3 cups granulated sugar, divided evenly among six bowls and divided into thirds if using tablespoons instead of cups.
Directions:
Step 1.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch round baking pans and line them with parchment. Find the pudding recipe and follow the directions on page 95. Meanwhile, combine melted butter and chopped chocolate. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs lightly with an electric mixer until foamy.
Add 1 cup of sugar and mix in the melted chocolate mixture. Sift flour, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder into another small bowl. Mix the flour into the egg mixture. Stir the dry ingredients into the egg mixture until the mixture is smooth.
Step 2.
Divide the batter between the baking pans and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cake springs back when lightly touched in the center and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 3.
Place pans on a wire rack, top with parchment paper, and let cake layers cool completely before filling with buttercream frosting.
Step 4.
Roll out the chilled cake layers on parchment paper to a thickness of 1/8 inch. With a long pastry bag, pipe buttercream frosting onto one cake layer and sprinkle with chopped chocolate bits on top. Place another cake layer on top and gently press them together to form a sandwich.
Gently remove the parchment paper from the sides of the sandwiches. Using a knife or bench scraper, cut into three equal squares.
Step 5.
With a long pastry bag and a round tip, fill the center square with buttercream frosting and sprinkle with chopped chocolate. Repeat with the remaining squares.
Step 6.
Frost the top of the sandwiches. It was using a toothpick to pipe buttercream frosting onto the remaining sides of the tops in an irregular pattern that resembles church windows or stained-glass windows. Sprinkle with chopped chocolate bits to cover any seams or visible portions of frosting.
Step 7.
Dip the tip of the cake in hot water for a few seconds and press decoratively on top, or use a picture stencil. Sprinkle with additional cacao nibs.
Step 8.
Cover the Styrofoam disk with plastic wrap, place it on a business card or cardboard, and allow it to dry overnight. Fill in any gaps with any frosting of your choice, such as white chocolate buttercream.
Step 9.
When dry, apply another layer of frosting to smooth out any edges and give the surface a shiny finish.
Step 10.
Place the cake on the platter, then refrigerate it for about an hour to allow the frosting to set.
Step 11. Keep cake refrigerated until ready to serve.
Serving ideas for Cheryl Day’s Chocolate Church Cake Recipe
- Serve this cake for a festive and fun Easter celebration.
- Serve Cheryl Day’s Chocolate Church Cake Recipe as a gift at Christmas or Easter. Give it to your favorite teacher, children of your church family, or childcare activists this coming holiday season.
- Place the cake in a clear cellophane bag and include some Easter jelly beans.
- Serve Cheryl Day’s Chocolate Church Cake Recipe to family, friends, or guests who stop by for a surprise visit.
- Use the Cheryl Day Chocolate Church Cake Recipe as part of your Easter Sunday brunch menu for a creative take on the traditional favorite.
- Serve the cake to your fellow volunteers at school and make them feel appreciated for their contributions to the students and faculty in your community.
- Give the Cheryl Day Chocolate Church Cake Recipe to any teacher you know who is retiring from their volunteer duties at school.
Nutrition fact: Cheryl Day Chocolate Church Cake
| Nutrition | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 59 |
| Total Fat | 1 g |
| Saturated Fat | 1 g |
| Cholesterol | 26 mg |
| Sodium | 0 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 9 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugars | 7 g |
| Protein | 2 g |
Conclusion
Cheryl Day Chocolate Church Cake is a cake that should not be missed, especially when it is available in a local bakery near you this Easter season. This is a new and unique take on the classic chocolate cake.
Like its predecessor, the Cheryl Day Chocolate Church Cake Recipe also features a delicious buttercream filling and sprinkles on top, perfect for Easter celebrations or church functions.
I hope that you and your guests will enjoy this fabulous dessert. Enjoy!
