Midnight Eclat Chocolate Cake
Prepare to be mesmerized by this decadent Midnight Eclat Chocolate Cake, where rich devil's food layers harbor an enchanting Ghostly cream cheese filling and a tangy Bloody Vampire raspberry center. The cake comes together as a tantalizing treat perfect for Halloween parties or any eerie celebration. With its dark cocoa frosting draping the sides like nightfall, this dessert is not just delicious—it's an experience. Be warned: serving this cake warm invites a delightful ooze of sweet, colorful layers that is sure to thrill your guests. For a less chaotic yet equally delightful experience, allow the cake to cool completely before serving.
N/A
Servings
350
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Devil's food cake mix
18 1/4 ounces (Follow package instructions.)
Cream cheese
8 ounces (Softened.)
Ricotta cheese
1 pound (Use as is.)
Eggs
4 (Room temperature and beaten.)
Vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (Use as is.)
Rum extract
1 teaspoon (Use as is.)
Dark rum
1/3 cup (Optional; use for soaking.)
Raspberry preserves
1/3 cup (Room temperature and whipped.)
Dark cocoa powder
2/3 cup (Dutch processed.)
Powdered sugar
3 cups (Sifted, if desired.)
Salt
1 pinch (Use as is.)
Cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon (Optional.)
Unsalted butter
1/2 cup (Melted.)
Milk
1/3 cup (Use as is.)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
3
Prepare the devil's food cake mix according to package instructions and evenly divide the batter between the two prepared pans.
4
In a separate bowl, combine the cream cheese and ricotta until smooth. Gently pour this Ghostly Cheese Filling over the cake batter in the pans, making sure not to disturb the batter.
5
Bake for about 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6
While the cake is baking, prepare the Creepy Dark Frosting: In a food processor, pulse together the powdered sugar, dark cocoa powder, salt, and cayenne pepper until well sifted.
7
Add the melted butter, milk, and extracts to the dry ingredients in the food processor, and pulse until smooth and creamy.
8
After 5 minutes, carefully invert the cakes onto cooling racks. If using, pour the dark rum evenly over both layers while they are still warm for added flavor.
9
Allow the cakes to cool for 10-15 minutes. While the cakes are still slightly warm, place one layer on a serving dish.
10
Pipe a generous ring of the dark frosting around the edge of the first cake layer, creating a dam to hold the raspberry filling. Spoon the whipped raspberry preserves into the center.
11
Top with the second layer of cake. Spread the Creepy Dark Frosting over the top and the sides of the cake, ensuring to cover any visible filling.
12
If the cake is warm, it will ooze enticingly. To achieve a more polished look, consider chilling the cake after frosting to set the layers. Touch up the frosting as needed and decorate with eerie embellishments to suit your spooky occasion!
Nutrition Information
15
Fat
50
Carbs
6
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Midnight Eclat Chocolate Cake?
It is a decadent devil's food layer cake featuring a ghostly cream cheese filling and a tangy raspberry center, topped with dark cocoa frosting.
What type of cake mix is required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for one 18 1/4 ounce package of Devil's food cake mix.
What makes the cheese filling 'Ghostly'?
The Ghostly Cheese Filling is a smooth blend of cream cheese, ricotta cheese, eggs, and extracts poured over the cake batter.
What provides the 'Bloody Vampire' center in the cake?
The center is created using 1/3 cup of whipped raspberry preserves.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
What size cake pans are needed for this recipe?
You will need two 9-inch round cake pans.
How do I prepare the cake pans before baking?
The pans should be greased and floured to prevent the cake from sticking.
How long does the Midnight Eclat Chocolate Cake take to bake?
The cake typically bakes for about 1 hour.
How can I tell if the cake is finished baking?
The cake is done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
What is the best way to prepare the Creepy Dark Frosting?
The frosting is best made by pulsing dry ingredients in a food processor, then adding melted butter, milk, and extracts until smooth.
Is dark rum a mandatory ingredient?
No, the 1/3 cup of dark rum is optional and used for soaking the warm cake layers for added flavor.
When should I invert the cakes onto cooling racks?
You should carefully invert the cakes onto cooling racks after they have rested for 5 minutes after baking.
How long should the cakes cool before assembly?
Allow the cakes to cool for 10-15 minutes until they are slightly warm before you begin assembly.
Why do I need to pipe a ring of frosting on the first layer?
Piping a generous ring of frosting creates a dam that holds the raspberry filling in place.
What type of cocoa powder is recommended?
The recipe recommends using 2/3 cup of Dutch-processed dark cocoa powder.
Why is cayenne pepper included in the frosting ingredients?
A small amount of cayenne pepper (1/8 teaspoon) is an optional addition to add a subtle heat and depth to the dark cocoa.
How can I achieve an 'enticing ooze' when serving?
Serving the cake while it is still slightly warm will cause the colorful layers to ooze when sliced.
How can I make the cake look more polished and professional?
For a more polished look, chill the cake after frosting to allow the layers and frosting to set completely.
How many calories are in a serving of this cake?
There are 350 calories per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 15 grams of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 50 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein does one serving provide?
Each serving provides 6 grams of protein.
What kind of cheese is used in addition to cream cheese?
The recipe uses 1 pound of ricotta cheese in the filling.
How many eggs are required for the recipe?
The recipe requires 4 room temperature, beaten eggs.
What extracts are used for flavoring?
The recipe uses both vanilla extract and rum extract.
What should be the state of the butter for the frosting?
The 1/2 cup of unsalted butter should be melted.
Should the raspberry preserves be prepared in a specific way?
The raspberry preserves should be at room temperature and whipped before being spooned into the cake.
How many total ingredients are needed for this cake?
There are 14 ingredients listed for this recipe.
What occasions is this cake best suited for?
It is perfect for Halloween parties, eerie celebrations, or any special occasion requiring a spooky dessert.
Can I use regular cocoa powder instead of dark cocoa?
While you can use regular cocoa, Dutch-processed dark cocoa provides the specific 'Midnight' color and rich flavor intended for the recipe.