Creamy chocolate cake

The creamy chocolate cake is a dessert that harmoniously combines the intense flavor of chocolate with the fine texture of cheese, making it a perfect choice for any special occasion or simply to indulge your loved ones. This recipe is not only delicious but also easy to make, making it ideal even for those less experienced in culinary arts.

Total preparation time: 1 hour
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 25-35 minutes
Number of servings: 12

Ingredients

For the cheese filling:
- 250 g reduced-fat Philadelphia cheese (15%)
- 50 g sugar

For the cake base:
- 260 g (about 2 cups) flour
- 25 g (about a quarter cup) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 g (about 1 teaspoon) baking powder
- 3 g (about 1 teaspoon) baking soda
- 215 g (about 1 cup) sugar
- 113 g (about 1 cup) margarine or butter (at room temperature)
- 2 large eggs
- 250 ml milk

For the frosting:
- 360 g (about 3 cups) powdered sugar
- 125 ml milk
- 60 g semi-sweet chocolate, melted

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Preheat the oven
Start by preheating the oven to 180°C (350°F). It is important to have the oven hot before placing the cake inside to ensure even baking.

2. Prepare the pan
Spray a 34/22 cm (13/9 in) pan with cooking spray or grease it with a little oil or butter to prevent the cake from sticking. This step is essential to ensure that the cake will easily come out of the pan after baking.

3. Prepare the cheese filling
In a medium bowl, beat the Philadelphia cheese together with the sugar until the mixture becomes smooth. It is recommended to use an electric mixer to achieve a fine and creamy texture. This filling will add a delicious layer of cheese, balancing the sweetness of the chocolate layers.

4. Prepare the batter
In another large bowl, mix the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and baking soda. These dry ingredients will form the base of the chocolate layers.

Next, using a mixer, combine the sugar and margarine/butter, mixing until you obtain a creamy and homogeneous mixture. Add the eggs one at a time, continuing to mix. This is when a rich and fluffy base for our cake will form.

Add the dry ingredient mixture and milk alternately, mixing until the batter becomes creamy and homogeneous. It is important not to overmix, as this could develop the gluten in the flour, making the cake dense.

5. Assemble the cake
Pour half of the batter into the prepared pan, ensuring it spreads evenly. Then, using a spoon, dollop the cheese filling over the batter, and gently spread it with a metal spatula. This trick will help achieve an even distribution of the cheese.

Top with the remaining batter, completely covering the cheese filling.

6. Bake the cake
Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake the cake for 25-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Baking time may vary depending on the oven, so it’s good to check the cake after 25 minutes.

7. Cool the cake
Once baked, place the pan on a wire rack and let the cake cool completely. Cooling is an important step, as the frosting will set better on a completely cooled cake.

8. Prepare the frosting
In a bowl, mix the powdered sugar, milk, and melted chocolate until you obtain a creamy mixture. It is recommended to use chocolate with a higher cocoa content for a less sweet and more intense frosting. If desired, you can adjust the amount of chocolate, but make sure to keep the powdered sugar constant to maintain the frosting's texture.

9. Style the cake
Once the cake has cooled completely, pour the frosting evenly over its surface, allowing it to drizzle slightly over the edges for an attractive look.

Chef's Tip
For an extra flavor boost, you can add a few drops of vanilla extract or grated lemon zest to the cheese mixture. These flavors will enhance the cake's taste and add a note of freshness.

Variations
If you want to experiment, you can add some toasted nuts or chocolate chips to the batter for a crunchy texture. You can also replace the semi-sweet chocolate with dark chocolate for a stronger contrast with the sweetness of the cheese.

Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why does the cake stick to the pan?
Make sure you have greased the pan well or used parchment paper. This will help the cake release easily.

2. Can I use cottage cheese instead of Philadelphia?
Yes, but cottage cheese is less creamy, so make sure to mash it well to avoid lumps.

3. How can I store the cake?
Keep the cake in a closed container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it to keep it longer.

Serving
This creamy chocolate cake pairs perfectly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cup of aromatic coffee. You can also accompany it with caramel sauce or fruit puree, which will add a note of freshness and contrast beautifully with the richness of the chocolate.

Enjoy this delicious cake, perfect for any time of the day or to impress your guests! It will surely become a favorite in your family.

 Ingredients: Cheese filling: 250 g reduced-fat Philadelphia cheese (15%) 50 g sugar For the crust: 2 cups of flour (260 g) a quarter cup of unsweetened cocoa powder (25 g) 1 teaspoon baking powder (3 g) 1 teaspoon baking soda (3 g) 1 cup of sugar (215 g) 1 cup of margarine at room temperature (113 g, I used butter) 2 large eggs 250 ml milk Glaze: 3 cups of powdered sugar (360 g) 125 ml milk 60 g semi-sweet chocolate, melted

 Tags:  homemade cake chocolate cake cheese cake cake recipes with pictures