I’ve been perfecting this melt-in-your-mouth chocolate cake recipe for years, drawing inspiration from European bakeries. What makes this cake extraordinary is its cloud-like texture combined with a silky chocolate filling and a delicate coconut coating. The simplicity of ingredients belies the sophisticated result – a cake that truly deserves its “world-famous” status.
Why This Cake Is Special
The magic lies in the perfect balance between the light, airy cake layers and the rich, creamy chocolate filling. The addition of lemon juice creates an exceptionally tender crumb, while the coconut topping adds a delightful textural contrast. It’s an elegant dessert that’s surprisingly simple to make.
Ingredients
For the Cake Layers:
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 8g (1 packet) vanilla sugar or 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 70g (⅓ cup) granulated sugar
- 60ml (¼ cup) vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 240ml (1 cup) whole milk, room temperature
- 230g (1¾ cups) all-purpose flour, sifted
- 14g (1 tablespoon) baking powder
For the Chocolate Cream Filling:
- 300ml (1¼ cups) whole milk
- 8g (1 packet) vanilla sugar or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder
For Decoration:
- 50g (½ cup) desiccated coconut
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Cake (15 minutes prep + 30 minutes baking)
- Preparation:
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F)
- Grease a 9-inch round cake pan
- Line bottom with parchment paper
- Dust sides with flour
- Making the Batter:
- In a large bowl, beat eggs, vanilla sugar, and sugar for 3-4 minutes until pale and fluffy
- Slowly stream in oil while beating constantly
- Add lemon juice and milk, mix until combined
- Sift together flour and baking powder
- Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture using gentle, sweeping motions
- Stop mixing as soon as no dry streaks remain
- Baking:
- Pour batter into prepared pan
- Smooth top with spatula
- Bake 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean
- Cool in pan for 10 minutes
- Remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack
Creating the Chocolate Filling (15 minutes)
- Preparation:
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together all filling ingredients before heating
- Ensure mixture is smooth with no lumps
- Cooking:
- Place over medium heat
- Stir constantly with whisk
- Cook until mixture thickens and begins to bubble
- Continue cooking for 1 minute after bubbling starts
- Remove from heat
- Let cool until warm but still spreadable
Assembly (10 minutes)
- Cut cooled cake horizontally into two even layers
- Place bottom layer on serving plate
- Spread half of chocolate filling evenly
- Top with second cake layer
- Spread remaining filling over top
- Sprinkle generously with coconut
- Refrigerate for minimum 10 minutes before serving
Professional Tips for Perfect Results
- Room temperature ingredients are crucial for proper mixing
- Don’t overmix the batter – this ensures a tender cake
- Let chocolate filling cool slightly but spread while still warm
- Use a serrated knife for clean cake cutting
- Chill cake briefly before serving to set filling
Storage Guidelines
- Store in refrigerator for up to 3 days
- Bring to room temperature 20 minutes before serving
- Can be frozen unfrosted for up to 1 month
Nutrition Information (per slice, based on 8 servings)
- Calories: 320
- Total Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
- Sodium: 180mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 48g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 22g
- Protein: 7g
Troubleshooting Common Issues
If Cake Doesn’t Rise Properly:
- Check baking powder freshness
- Ensure oven was fully preheated
- Avoid overmixing batter
If Filling Is Lumpy:
- Whisk ingredients thoroughly before heating
- Keep stirring constantly while cooking
- Strain through fine-mesh sieve if needed
If Cake Is Dry:
- Don’t overbake
- Measure flour correctly (spoon and level)
- Use room temperature ingredients
This cake is perfect for special occasions or whenever you crave something truly extraordinary. Its simplicity makes it accessible to bakers of all skill levels, while the results rival those from professional bakeries. The combination of light cake, rich chocolate filling, and coconut topping creates a memorable dessert that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
