How to Make a Brownie Cake

Brownie cake is what it sounds like – brownie batter and chocolate cake batter mixed together and baked until rich, fudgy perfection and drizzled with delicious simple chocolate ganache. The result is a stunning looking and tasting cake that is super easy to make.

Unlike most cakes, which are often decorated and made to look like a work of art for special occasions such as birthdays and weddings, a brownie is typically not adorned with any decorations because its crusty edges and square shape when baked do not lend itself to a smooth or elegant surface. The exception to this is when it is layered and tiered to create a glamorous center piece for any dessert or meal.

While most cakes require a lot of ingredients and laborious baking techniques, brownies are a simple, yet delicious, treat that can be made from any boxed mix or from scratch using a few extra ingredients. They can be eaten as a snack, paired with ice cream (a la mode), topped with whipped cream, or served with a glass of milk. They are very popular in North America as both a homemade treat and in restaurants, ice cream parlors and coffeehouses.

There are many variations to this basic recipe. Some add a layer of flour to the batter to lighten it up, others use butter instead of oil, while others reduce or eliminate the sugar. Some even incorporate fresh or dried fruits into the batter for added texture and flavor.

The most common ingredient used to make a homemade brownie recipe is cocoa powder, which is mixed with either all-purpose flour, butter or oil to give it a cake-like texture. Other typical ingredients include baking soda, vanilla extract and large eggs to bind the batter and add richness. A little bit of milk is also included to keep the batter moist and the brownies fluffy.

While you can use any chocolate frosting to decorate a brownie cake, my favorite is a simple vanilla cream cheese frosting. It complements the chocolatey flavor of the cake and ganache well. If you prefer a sweeter frosting, try using a chocolate buttercream or even a traditional chocolate frosting instead.

For a fun twist on this brownie cake, try making it into a layer cake by baking the batter in (3) 6-inch or (3) 8-inch pans and then assembling and frosting as directed. This is very impressive and can be made for any occasion.

If you want to prepare this brownie cake ahead of time, it can be frozen until ready to serve. Simply wrap the layers in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container in the freezer. Just be sure to pull it out of the fridge a few hours before serving so that it has a chance to thaw and warm up slightly. This brownie cake is also a beautiful addition to a buffet and would be great paired with some fresh fruit, such as raspberries, on the side.  brownie cake