Decadent Hershey Cream Cheese Cake
Indulge in this rich and velvety Decadent Hershey Cream Cheese Cake, a perfect dessert that combines the classic chocolate flavor of devil's food cake with a luxurious cream cheese frosting. This recipe takes a delightful twist with the addition of instant vanilla pudding, which enhances the cake’s moisture and texture, ensuring a melt-in-your-mouth experience. Topped with fluffy Cool Whip and adorned with chocolate from Hershey bars, this cake is sure to impress at any gathering. Serve it during special occasions or simply to satisfy your sweet tooth!
12
Servings
208
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Devil's food cake mix
18 ounces (dry mix)
Instant vanilla pudding
3.5 ounces (small box, dry mix)
Vegetable oil
3/4 cup (liquid)
Milk
1.5 cups (liquid)
Eggs
3 (whole)
Cream cheese
8 ounces (softened)
Sugar
1 cup (granulated)
Confectioners' sugar
1 cup (powdered)
Cool Whip
12 ounces (thawed)
Milk chocolate candy bars (Hershey bars)
4.67 ounces (chopped or grated)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the devil's food cake mix, instant vanilla pudding, vegetable oil, milk, and eggs. Mix thoroughly until well blended and smooth.
3
Pour the cake batter evenly into two 9-inch or three 8-inch round cake pans, ensuring they are prepared by greasing or lining with parchment paper.
4
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 33 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
5
While the cakes are cooling, prepare the cream cheese frosting. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the granulated and confectioners' sugars using a mixer until creamy and smooth.
6
Gently fold in the Cool Whip until well combined, preserving the light and fluffy texture. If desired, mix in a portion of the chopped Hershey bars into the frosting.
7
Once the cakes are completely cooled, place one layer on a serving plate and spread a generous amount of frosting on top. Place the second cake layer on top and frost the top and sides of the entire cake.
8
For garnish, sprinkle additional chopped Hershey bars over the top and sides, if desired. Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the frosting to set.
Nutrition Information
12.5g
Fat
25g
Carbs
2.5g
Protein
10.8g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Decadent Hershey Cream Cheese Cake?
It is a rich chocolate dessert featuring devil's food cake, instant vanilla pudding, and a luxurious cream cheese frosting topped with Hershey bars.
What flavor of cake mix is required?
The recipe calls for one 18-ounce box of devil's food cake mix.
Why is instant vanilla pudding added to the batter?
The pudding enhances the moisture and texture of the cake, ensuring a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
How many eggs are needed for the cake?
The recipe requires 3 whole eggs.
What kind of oil should I use?
Use 3/4 cup of vegetable oil for the cake batter.
Does the recipe use milk or water?
The recipe uses 1.5 cups of milk to create a rich batter.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
What size cake pans are recommended?
You can use either two 9-inch round cake pans or three 8-inch round cake pans.
How long should the cake bake?
Bake the cake layers for 30 to 33 minutes.
How can I tell if the cake is done?
The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
How long should the cakes cool in the pans?
Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to wire racks.
What are the main components of the frosting?
The frosting is made of softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, confectioners' sugar, and thawed Cool Whip.
Should the cream cheese be softened?
Yes, use 8 ounces of softened cream cheese for a smooth and creamy frosting.
What types of sugar are used in the frosting?
The recipe uses 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup of confectioners' sugar.
How is the Cool Whip incorporated?
Gently fold 12 ounces of thawed Cool Whip into the cream cheese mixture to keep it light and fluffy.
How much Hershey's chocolate is needed?
The recipe uses 4.67 ounces of milk chocolate Hershey bars.
Can I add chocolate bars directly into the frosting?
Yes, you can mix a portion of the chopped Hershey bars into the frosting if desired.
How do I assemble the cake?
Frost the top of the first layer, place the second layer on top, and then frost the entire top and sides of the cake.
Does the cake need to be refrigerated?
Yes, refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour before serving so the frosting can set.
How many servings does this cake provide?
The recipe makes approximately 12 servings.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are approximately 208 calories per serving.
What is the fat content per slice?
Each serving contains 12.5 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 25 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What is the sugar content of this cake?
There are 10.8 grams of sugar per serving.
How much protein is in each serving?
Each serving contains 2.5 grams of protein.
Is this cake suitable for birthdays?
Yes, it is highly recommended for birthdays and special occasions.
How should I prepare the baking pans?
Prepare the pans by greasing them or lining them with parchment paper.
What can be used for garnish?
Sprinkle additional chopped or grated Hershey bars over the top and sides of the cake.
What size pudding box is used?
The recipe uses a 3.5-ounce small box of dry instant vanilla pudding mix.
What makes the frosting light and fluffy?
Folding in the thawed Cool Whip provides the light and fluffy texture for the frosting.