Smores Chocolate Cake Recipe

If you’re a fan of everything gooey, chocolatey, and completely indulgent, this Smores Chocolate Cake Recipe is going to light up your dessert world. Imagine layers of rich chocolate cake, marshmallow fluff frosting toasted to perfection, crunchy graham cracker bits, and luscious chocolate ganache all coming together in one show-stopper. I’ve made this for all kinds of occasions, and every time my family goes crazy for it. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll be your go-to cake for celebrations and cozy nights in alike.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll find the ingredients for this Smores Chocolate Cake Recipe are simple pantry essentials, yet combined they create pure magic. I always recommend using fresh, quality ingredients like real butter and fresh eggs to make your cake truly shine.

• Flour: Plain all-purpose flour gives structure while letting the cake stay tender.
• Sugar: Granulated sugar provides sweetness and helps with that moist texture.
• Natural Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: This is key for deep chocolate flavor without any added sugar.
• Baking Soda: So important for the right rise and crumb.
• Salt: Balances flavor and intensifies the chocolate.
• Eggs: Bind everything together and add richness.
• Milk: Keeps the batter smooth and moist; whole milk is best.
• Vegetable Oil: Keeps the chocolate cake super tender and moist.
• Vanilla: Adds warmth and enhances the chocolate notes.
• Hot Water: Helps bloom the cocoa powder for an intense chocolate hit.
• Graham Cracker Crumbs: Adds the iconic crunch to your cake.
• Sugar for Crunchies: Just a touch to sweeten the graham topping.
• Unsalted Butter: For richness in the crunchies and frostings.
• Marshmallow Fluff: The star of the toasted marshmallow frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: For smooth, sweet frostings.
• Mini Marshmallows: For toasting right on top and mixing into frosting.
• Semi-sweet Chocolate Chips: To make that silky chocolate ganache.
• Heavy Whipping Cream: Makes the ganache luscious and glossy.
• Milk or Cream (for vanilla frosting): To get just the right frosting consistency.

Variations

One of my favorite things about this Smores Chocolate Cake Recipe is how easy it is to make your own. I’ve played around with different add-ins and even switched up the frosting to suit the occasion—feel free to let your creativity run wild here!

• Gluten-Free Option: I tried substituting the flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend, and the cake still came out moist and delicious—just be sure your baking soda is gluten-free too.
• Dairy-Free Version: Using coconut oil instead of vegetable oil, almond milk for milk, and a dairy-free butter substitute works great; the cake remains super moist.
• Extra Gooey Center: For an oozy surprise, add a layer of melted marshmallow fluff or chocolate chips in the middle before frosting.
• Seasonal Twist: Spice the cake with a pinch of cinnamon or add raspberry jam in the frosting layers for a hint of tartness.

How to Make Smores Chocolate Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Bake Your Chocolate Cake Layers

First things first, get your three 8-inch pans lined with parchment and greased—I love using both parchment and a quick spray of baking spray for easy release. Preheat your oven to 300°F (148°C). In a large bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Then, add in the eggs, milk, and oil, mixing thoroughly. Pour vanilla into hot water and stir it in—this thins the batter making the chocolate really vibrant. Pour evenly into your pans and bake for about 30 to 33 minutes. A toothpick should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. Cool cakes for a few minutes, then move to racks to cool completely before decorating.

Step 2: Make Your Graham Cracker Crunchies

While the cakes cool, let’s get that delightful crunch ready. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter until combined, then spread evenly on a lined baking sheet. Bake about 8-10 minutes until golden and fragrant. Let them cool completely; this crispy topping adds such an amazing texture contrast in every bite.

Step 3: Toasted Marshmallow Frosting Magic

This frosting is the heart of the Smores vibe. Broil marshmallows just until golden; I always watch closely because it happens quickly! Let them cool, then whip butter until smooth. Beat in marshmallow fluff, and gradually add powdered sugar for a silky texture. Fold in the toasted marshmallows—breaking them into smaller pieces if they’re sticky makes mixing easier. The end result is a fluffy, sweet frosting that tastes just like campfire treats.

Step 4: Create Your Chocolate Ganache

Heat heavy cream just to a gentle simmer, then pour over the chocolate chips in a bowl. Let it sit for a few minutes before whisking until glossy and smooth. This ganache is perfect spooned between layers and dripped over the sides for that luscious chocolate finish.

Step 5: Whip Up Simple Vanilla Frosting

For the vanilla frosting, beat butter until fluffy. Add powdered sugar in two parts, mixing well each time. Stir in vanilla extract and a splash of milk to achieve a creamy, spreadable consistency. This frosting sections off your marshmallow layers nicely and keeps everything neat.

Step 6: Assemble Your Epic Smores Chocolate Cake Recipe

Time to bring it all together! Level your cakes to get flat, even layers—I love using a serrated knife and a steady hand here. Place your first layer on the cake plate and pipe a border of vanilla frosting to create a dam (this helps hold fillings in place). Spread about 6 tablespoons of ganache inside that dam, then a generous cup of marshmallow frosting over that. Sprinkle half a cup of graham crunchies evenly on top. Repeat with the second layer, then top with the final cake layer. Chill the cake for about half an hour to set everything.

Once chilled, coat the outside with the remaining marshmallow frosting—smooth or rustic, however you like. Press graham cracker crunchies around the bottom for extra flair. Warm the ganache as needed to drizzle a beautiful chocolate drip along the edges. Top with mini marshmallows and use a kitchen torch to toast them lightly for that authentic campfire touch. Refrigerate until serving—this cake is best enjoyed slightly chilled but not too cold, to let all those flavors shine.

How to Serve Smores Chocolate Cake Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping this cake with a handful of mini marshmallows, lightly toasted with a kitchen torch to get that perfect golden brown. Sometimes, I sprinkle a little extra graham cracker crumbs or even some chocolate shavings for a fancy touch. It’s those little extras that make each slice feel special every time.

Side Dishes

Serve this cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of lightly whipped cream. If you want to keep the campfire vibe alive, a cup of rich, hot cocoa or a chilled glass of milk is the perfect pairing to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like slicing the cake into mini squares and placing each piece in cupcake liners topped with a tiny toasted marshmallow and a few graham cracker crumbs for an easy grab-and-go treat. You could also build it into a layered trifle jar for a no-fuss look that everyone will adore!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover cake in an airtight container in the fridge. I find wrapping slices tightly in plastic wrap prevents marshmallow frosting from drying out. Leftovers stay delicious for about 3 to 4 days—though, full disclosure, ours never last that long!

Freezing

You can freeze this cake! Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and freeze for up to 2 months. When I do this, I thaw it overnight in the fridge and let it come up to room temperature before serving so it tastes freshly baked.

Reheating

Since this cake’s best served cool, I don’t recommend microwaving slices. Instead, I let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before eating, which softens the frosting and ganache nicely without losing that rich texture.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Honestly, I absolutely love how this Smores Chocolate Cake Recipe turns out every time. It’s the perfect mix of nostalgic campfire flavors and fancy layer cake elegance, which makes it a showstopper no matter the crowd. If you’ve been searching for a dessert that’s truly next-level and makes everyone say “wow,” this is it. So grab your mixing bowls, pull out the marshmallows, and have fun creating this dreamy cake—you’re going to nail it, and your family will thank you endlessly for it.

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