Costco All American Chocolate Cake Recipe

Rich, decadent, and absolutely irresistible – the Costco All American Chocolate Cake has earned legendary status among dessert lovers. Sadly, when Costco chose to discontinue this iconic cake, many hearts were broken. But don’t worry! We have figured out how to recreate this impressive cake, so you can bake it in your own kitchen.

Whether you’re new to baking or an experienced expert, this recipe is sure to bring joy and maybe a little chocolate-inspired dance into your home. With its rich layers and irresistibly creamy frosting, this cake is perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or simply making an ordinary day special.

So, put on your apron bring out those mixing bowls, and let’s dive into this chocolatey goodness together.

What Makes Costco All American Chocolate Cake Special?

The magic lies in its unparalleled combination of texture and flavor. Picture this: a moist, plush cake that isn’t just chocolatey, but intensely so, due to the premium cocoa powder and luxurious chocolate chips that dissolve into each mouthful.

The frosting is no less impressive—silky and smooth with just the right balance of sweetness that matches the rich cake layers without being too much. Plus, the recipe uses high-quality ingredients, which make the cake taste great and give you a professional result right from your home oven.

By following some simple steps and measuring carefully, you’ll create the classic look and taste that makes this cake a favorite. Every bite will meet and even exceed your expectations.

Ingredients Needed for Costco All American Chocolate Cake

Here’s everything you need to bake the Costco All American Chocolate Cake:

For the Cake Layers:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
• ¾ cup cocoa powder (unsweetened)
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water

For the Frosting:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• ¾ cup cocoa powder (unsweetened)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• ⅓ cup heavy cream

For the Ganache:

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ½ cup heavy cream

If you really love chocolate, feel free to add some extras like pieces of dark chocolate, a bit of espresso powder, or even chocolate curls on top.

Nutritional Information of This Chocolate Cake

If you’re curious about the nutritional value of this cake, here’s an overview:

Equipment Needed

To recreate Costco’s chocolate masterpiece, gather these essentials:

• Two 9-inch round cake pans
• Mixing bowls
• Hand or stand mixer
• Cooling rack
• Offset spatula for smooth frosting
• saucepan for the ganache

Recipe for Costco All American Chocolate Cake

Now that we have all the ingredients and equipment ready, it’s time to start baking. Just follow these simple steps to make your very own Costco All American Chocolate Cake:

Step 1: Preparing the Cake Batter

Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing your two 9-inch round cake pans. Put parchment paper at the bottom so the cake won’t stick. In a large bowl, mix all-purpose flour, granulated sugar cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir well until everything is combined.

Next, add the wet ingredients: buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to mix everything until it’s smooth and combined. Carefully mix in the boiling water — your batter will be thin, but this makes the cake very moist and tasty. Once the batter is ready, pour it evenly into the two prepared pans.

Step 2: Baking the Cake

After you pour the batter into the pans, put them in the preheated oven. Bake the cakes for about 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick stuck in the middle comes out clean. Be careful not to bake them too long so the cake stays soft and moist. When they are done, let the cakes cool in their pans for about 10 minutes, then move them to a cooling rack. Let them cool fully before adding frosting.

Step 3: Crafting the Frosting

While the cakes are cooling, make the frosting. In a big bowl, beat the soft butter until it peaks. Add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder, and mix until everything is combined. Stir in the vanilla extract and heavy cream, and beat the frosting until it is light and fluffy, ready to spread. If the frosting is too thick, add a little more cream until it is just right.

Step 4: Assembling and Frosting the Cake

Once the cakes are cool, it’s time to put them together. Place one cake layer on a plate and spread a good amount of frosting on top, making sure it’s smooth and even. Place the second layer on top and cover the top and sides with a thick layer of frosting. Use your spatula to make it look neat.

Step 5: Preparing the Ganache

To make the ganache, heat heavy cream in a small pot until it’s hot but not boiling. Take it off the heat and add the chocolate chips. Let them sit for a minute, then stir until smooth and shiny. Let it cool a bit, then pour it over the frosted cake, letting it run down the sides for a delicious look.

Congratulations on creating your very own Costco All American Chocolate Cake. This delicious, chocolatey masterpiece deserves to be shared, so gather some friends and enjoy each rich and indulgent bite together.

And if you are a chocolate lover then you must try our Hershey’s Cocoa Brownie Recipe to satisfy your chocolate cravings in a different way.

Costco All American Chocolate Cake Recipe

Usman Malik

Rich, decadent, and absolutely irresistible – the Costco All American Chocolate Cake has earned legendary status among dessert lovers. Sadly, when Costco chose to discontinue this iconic cake, many hearts were broken. But don't worry! We have figured out how to recreate this impressive cake, so you can bake it in your own kitchen.

5 from 20 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 16 servings

Calories 600 kcal

Equipment

• Two 9-inch round cake pans
• Mixing bowls
• Hand or stand mixer
• Cooling rack
• Offset spatula for smooth frosting
• saucepan for the ganache

Ingredients

  

For the Cake Layers:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
• ¾ cup cocoa powder unsweetened
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water

For the Frosting:

• 1 cup unsalted butter softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• ¾ cup cocoa powder unsweetened
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• ⅓ cup heavy cream

For the Ganache:

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ½ cup heavy cream

Instructions

 

Step 1: Preparing the Cake Batter

• Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing your two 9-inch round cake pans. Put parchment paper at the bottom so the cake won’t stick. In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir these dry ingredients together until they are well mixed.
• Next, add the wet ingredients: buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to mix everything until it’s smooth and combined. Carefully mix in the boiling water — your batter will be thin, but this makes the cake very moist and tasty. Once the batter is ready, pour it evenly into the two prepared pans.

Step 2: Baking the Cake

• After you pour the batter into the pans, put them in the preheated oven. Bake the cakes for about 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick stuck in the middle comes out clean. Be careful not to bake them too long so the cake stays soft and moist. When they are done, let the cakes cool in their pans for about 10 minutes, then move them to a cooling rack. Let them cool fully before adding frosting.

Step 3: Crafting the Frosting

• While the cakes are cooling, make the frosting. In a big bowl, beat the soft butter until it peaks. Add the powdered sugar and cocoa powder, and mix until everything is combined. Stir in the vanilla extract and heavy cream, and beat the frosting until it is light and fluffy, ready to spread. If the frosting is too thick, add a little more cream until it is just right.

Step 4: Assembling and Frosting the Cake

• Once the cakes are cool, it’s time to put them together. Place one cake layer on a plate and spread a good amount of frosting on top, making sure it’s smooth and even. Place the second layer on top and cover the top and sides with a thick layer of frosting. Use your spatula to make it look neat.

Step 5: Preparing the Ganache

• To make the ganache, heat heavy cream in a small pot until it’s hot but not boiling. Take it off the heat and add the chocolate chips. Let them sit for a minute, then stir until smooth and shiny. Let it cool a bit, then pour it over the frosted cake, letting it run down the sides for a delicious look.

Notes

When making the Costco All American Chocolate Cake, remember to heat up your oven and get the cake pans ready beforehand to make sure the cake bakes evenly. Try not to mix the batter too much so the cake stays soft. Use good chocolate for the best taste, and change the frosting thickness however you like.

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Creative Ways to Serve Costco All American Chocolate Cake

If you’re feeling extra creative, here are some amazing ways to serve and enjoy your Costco All American Chocolate Cake:

• Serve with Fresh Berries: Make your cake more colorful by adding fresh raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries. The sour taste of the berries goes well with the sweet chocolate.
• Add Whipped Cream: A bit of whipped cream can bring a light, airy touch to the rich, chocolate cake. Mix in some vanilla or almond flavor to the cream for an extra taste.
• Add Mint Leaves: The green mint leaves not only make it look nice but also add a fresh taste that goes well with the chocolate.
• Add Caramel Sauce: For a rich treat, pour warm caramel sauce over each slice before serving. The sweet caramel makes the cake’s chocolate flavor even better.
• Serve with Coffee: Make the chocolate cake even better by having it with a small cup of coffee. The coffee’s bitter taste brings out the cake’s rich flavor, making a fancy dessert pair.
• Make Mini Cakes: Use a round cookie cutter to turn the cake into small, personal desserts, great for parties or single servings.

Storage Suggestions

Keeping your Costco All American Chocolate Cake fresh is very important to enjoying its taste. Here are some simple tips to make sure your cake stays tasty for longer:

• Refrigeration: After you serve the cake, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and put it in the fridge. This keeps it fresh for up to 5 days. Let it warm up to room temperature before serving to enjoy the best taste.
• Freezing: To keep the cake for a long time, you can freeze it. Wrap it in plastic wrap and foil, or put it in a container with a tight lid. You can freeze the cake for up to 3 months. When you want to eat it, let it thaw overnight in the fridge and warm it to room temperature before serving.
• Individual Slices: If you prefer, you can slice the cake into individual pieces before freezing. Wrap each slice individually in plastic wrap for easy grab-and-go servings.

Tips for Making the Perfect Costco All American Chocolate Cake

If you want to make sure your cake turns out perfectly every time, here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Measure Accurately: Baking is a science, so make sure to measure your ingredients very carefully. Use measuring cups and spoons meant for dry or liquid ingredients to ensure perfect proportions.
• Don’t Overmix: Once you add the wet ingredients to the dry, mix until just combined. Overmixing can lead to a tough cake.
• Check the Oven Temperature: Make sure your oven is at the right temperature by using an oven thermometer. This helps the cake bake evenly and avoids it being overcooked or undercooked.
• Cool Completely Before Frosting: Make sure that your cakes are completely cool before frosting. If they are even slightly warm, the frosting can melt and slide off.
• Adjust Consistency of Frosting: If your frosting turns out too thick or thin, adjust by adding more heavy cream or powdered sugar until it reaches the desired consistency.
• Decorate Thoughtfully: Use a spatula or piping bag for neat frosting work, and consider adding sprinkles, chocolate shavings, or berries for extra flair.

Conclusion

And there you have it—a delightful adventure into making the famous Costco All American Chocolate Cake. Whether it’s for a sweet treat or a big celebration, this chocolate cake always impresses.

By following these steps and using some fun serving ideas, you can turn a simple cake into something special with lots of flavors. Make sure to store it well so each bite is as tasty as the first. Put on your apron, gather your ingredients, and enjoy baking this delicious cake. Happy baking and even happier eating.

FAQ

Can I make this cake gluten-free?

To make this chocolate cake without gluten, just use a gluten-free flour mix instead of regular flour. Make sure other ingredients, like chocolate chips and baking powder, are gluten-free too.

Can I use milk instead of buttermilk?

Yes, you can use milk instead of buttermilk. Simply add one tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to a cup of milk, let it sit for about 5 minutes, and use this mixture as a buttermilk substitute. This gives you the same tangy flavor and acidity needed for the cake.

What’s the best way to slice the cake cleanly?

To achieve smooth and clean slices, use a long, sharp knife dipped in hot water before each cut. After every cut, wipe the knife clean to remove any chocolate residue, ensuring neat and even slices every time.

Does Costco still make the All American chocolate cake?

Sadly, Costco stopped making the All-American Chocolate Cake in early 2020. Many people loved it, but because of supply problems and changing tastes, it was removed. Some people say they’ve seen a similar chocolate cake at Costco recently, but it’s not the same as the original. The new cake is smaller and has a different recipe.

Can I add nuts to the cake batter?

Yes, sure adding nuts like walnuts or pecans to the cake mix can give a nice crunch and make the cake taste better. To stop the nuts from sinking, mix them with a little flour before adding them to the batter. This helps keep them spread out in the cake.

How can I make the cake more moist?

To make your cake more moist, add a tablespoon or two of sour cream or yogurt to the mix. These ingredients make the cake richer and moister without changing the taste. Also, don’t bake the cake for too long, as this often makes cakes dry. Keep in mind, that a cake that’s a little underdone will keep cooking as it cools, staying nice and moist.