Decadent Chocolate Layer Cake with Vanilla Cream Filling

 

Decadent Chocolate Marshmallow Pecan Layer Cake

✨ Makes one 3-layer 8-inch cake (or two thicker 9-inch layers)

🥄 Chocolate Cake Layers

Ingredients:

1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour

¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 cups granulated sugar

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp salt

2 large eggs

1 cup buttermilk

½ cup vegetable oil

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup hot water (or hot brewed coffee for depth)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line your cake pans with parchment.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Beat until combined.

Slowly add hot water or coffee while mixing — the batter will be thin.

Divide into pans and bake 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Cool in pans 10 minutes, then turn out to cool completely.

🍥 Creamy White Filling with Pecans

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream

¾ cup powdered sugar

8 oz cream cheese, softened

½ tsp vanilla extract

1 cup chopped toasted pecans

Instructions:

Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla.

In a separate bowl, whip cream until stiff peaks form.

Fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture until light and fluffy.

Fold in toasted pecans. Chill until ready to use.

🍫 Glossy Chocolate Ganache Drip

Ingredients:

1 cup heavy cream

8 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped

1 tbsp butter (for shine)

Instructions:

Heat cream until steaming, then pour over chocolate.

Let sit 2 minutes, then stir until smooth. Add butter and stir until glossy.

Cool slightly before pouring over the cake (still pourable but thickened).

🎉 Assembly & Toppings

Toppings:

Mini marshmallows

Chopped pecans

Chocolate cake crumbs (from trimming layers)

To Assemble:

Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread half the creamy pecan filling.

Add second layer, spread remaining filling, then top with third cake layer.

Pour ganache over the top, letting it drip luxuriously down the sides.

While ganache is still soft, top with mini marshmallows, chopped pecans, and cake crumbs.

Chill for 15 minutes to set, then serve at room temperature for gooey goodness.

It’s rich, nutty, creamy, and dramatic — basically dessert royalty. Want to turn this into cupcakes or a sheet cake version too? I got you.