Brownie Cake Recipe

This Brownie Cake Recipe is everything you love about a classic, fudgy brownie—transformed into a jaw-dropping multi-layered cake! Imagine rich, chewy brownie layers swirled with chocolate and vanilla cream cheese buttercream, then crowned with even more brownie chunks for a showstopper treat. It’s a dazzling upgrade perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or whenever you crave a slice of pure chocolate bliss.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredient list for this Brownie Cake Recipe is short and sweet, but every item pulls double-duty to create that unforgettable flavor and texture. High-quality butter, lots of cocoa, and plenty of vanilla bring depth, while cream cheese and whipped cream add velvety smoothness. Let’s break it all down:

• Danish Creamery European Style Unsalted Butter (melted): Gives the brownie base its signature richness and dense, fudgy crumb.
• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the batter and helps create that crispy, shiny top we all love in brownies.
• Light brown sugar (lightly packed): Adds a hint of caramel flavor, keeping the cakes moist and chewy.
• Large eggs (room temperature): Bind the batter and ensure everything bakes up moist and tall.
• Vanilla extract: A must for warmth and complexity in every bite.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch processed): The backbone of chocolate flavor in this Brownie Cake Recipe, with deep color and rich taste.
• Fine sea salt: Balances the sweetness and makes every flavor pop.
• All-purpose flour: Gives the brownie structure without sacrificing that melt-in-your-mouth softness.
• Danish Creamery Unsalted Butter (room temperature): Used in the frosting for a silky, spoonable consistency.
• Cream cheese (room temperature): Adds tang and body to the buttercream—pure magic when paired with brownies.
• Powdered sugar: Brings sweetness and stability to the frosting base.
• Tiny pinch of salt: Rounds out the flavors in the buttercream layers.
• Heavy whipping cream (room temperature): Lends creamy lightness to the frosting; don’t skip it!
• Vanilla bean paste: Adds flecks of pure vanilla and subtle floral notes to the frosting.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder (for frosting): Infuses the chocolate buttercream with extra intensity.

How to Make Brownie Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Pan and Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 325F (163C) if using convection, or 300F (149C) if conventional. Grease and line an 11×15 inch sheet pan with baking spray and parchment paper, leaving enough overhang to lift out the brownie cake later. Secure the parchment with metal binder clips to make removing those tender layers effortless.

Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine your melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat this mixture on high speed for about 5 minutes. You’re looking for a thick, super pale, and airy batter; this step is what gives the brownie cake its delicate lift.

Step 3: Blend in Dry Ingredients

Add the cocoa powder and salt directly to the whipped mixture and beat until smooth, scraping down the bowl as needed. Fold in the flour on low speed just until no streaks remain. Overmixing here can toughen your brownies, so keep it gentle and thorough.

Step 4: Bake the Brownie Layers

Spread the luscious brownie batter into your prepared pan, smoothing out the top. Slide it into the oven and bake for about 25 minutes, until the edges look set and the center is softly firm but not gooey. Once out of the oven, let it cool on a rack for at least 30 to 60 minutes, then chill it in the fridge for another 30 to 60 minutes so you can easily cut out perfect circles.

Step 5: Make the Frostings

For the frosting, first beat room temperature butter in a stand mixer using the whisk attachment on medium-high for 1 to 2 minutes until pale and creamy. Add in cream cheese, blending just until combined. Next, gently mix in powdered sugar, salt, and beat on medium-high for 2 to 3 minutes until fluffy. Pour in most of the heavy cream and the vanilla bean paste, beating another minute or so until luxurious and smooth. Remove a third of this frosting to a separate bowl, stir in cocoa powder and reserved cream, and you’ll have a dreamy chocolate frosting to complement the vanilla cream cheese version.

Step 6: Cut and Assemble the Cake

Using a 6-inch round cutter (or a pan as a template), cut out four perfect brownie circles from the center of your cooled brownie slab. Be sure to save the scraps—you’ll cube these up for layering and decorating. Now, place the first brownie cake circle on a serving plate, spread a layer of chocolate frosting, then sprinkle brownie chunks on top. Add a swoosh of vanilla frosting and repeat the layering routine until you have a proud, towering stack.

Step 7: Frost and Decorate

Chill your nearly assembled cake for 30 to 60 minutes to set the layers, making frosting a breeze. Swirl the vanilla cream cheese buttercream all around the cake, then decorate the top with chocolate frosting dabs for a marbled effect. Finally, pile on more brownie chunks for a playful finish.

How to Serve Brownie Cake Recipe

Garnishes

You can dress up your Brownie Cake Recipe with all sorts of garnishes. Try a generous pile of brownie chunks on top, a dusting of cocoa powder, fresh berries for a burst of color, or even a playful drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt right before serving makes each bite all the more decadent.

Side Dishes

Serve thick slices of Brownie Cake Recipe with a scoop of vanilla bean or espresso ice cream—trust me, nothing complements rich chocolate like a bit of creamy coldness. Fresh raspberries or sliced strawberries add a tart counterpoint, while an espresso or cold brew on the side is always welcome.

Creative Ways to Present

If you want to dazzle, use tall cake stands, or serve the Brownie Cake Recipe as individual mini-layer cakes using cookie cutters. You can even pipe additional decorative swirls of chocolate and vanilla buttercream around the edges, or set out an assortment of fresh fruit and sauces for a DIY cake-topping bar at your next gathering.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once you’ve sliced into that showstopper, keep leftovers tightly wrapped or in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. If your kitchen is on the warmer side, pop the Brownie Cake Recipe in the fridge to keep the cream cheese frosting fresh and delicious.

Freezing

To freeze, place individual slices or the whole Brownie Cake Recipe (well wrapped in plastic wrap and foil) in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving, and your cake will be every bit as tender and chocolatey as day one.

Reheating

For that fresh-from-the-oven experience, let the cake come to room temperature, or warm a slice very briefly in the microwave (no more than 10–15 seconds). This will soften the brownie layers and make the frosting irresistibly creamy again.

FAQs

Do I have to use Danish Creamery butter, or can I substitute another brand?

While Danish Creamery adds luxurious flavor, any high-quality European-style unsalted butter will work for your Brownie Cake Recipe. The key is to use a butter with at least 82 percent butterfat for best results.

Can I use different cocoa powder?

If you can’t find Dutch-processed cocoa, natural unsweetened cocoa powder will give a different (lighter and slightly fruitier) taste. I do recommend Dutch-process for the deepest flavor and that dark, dramatic Brownie Cake Recipe look.

What if I don’t have a 6-inch cutter?

No worries! Trace around a 6-inch cake pan or a bowl with a knife to make your brownie rounds, or make mini cakes using smaller cutters. The Brownie Cake Recipe is super flexible—just have fun with it.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Simply substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the regular flour. The fudge-like texture of the Brownie Cake Recipe holds up beautifully with this swap.

Why chill the brownie slab before cutting?

Chilling ensures clean, sharp edges when you cut out the brownie circles, and helps make layering so much easier. Skipping the chill could leave you with a crumbly mess—which, honestly, still tastes good, but doesn’t look quite as impressive.

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready to level up your dessert game, this Brownie Cake Recipe is pure chocolate celebration in every layer. It’s playful, adaptable, and always a crowd-pleaser—don’t be surprised if it becomes your new signature bake!

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