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.
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.