Paula Deen Chocolate Pound Cake Recipe

Perfect Paula Deen Chocolate Pound Cake Recipe for Sweet Lovers

Chocolate pound cake stands as a decadent symphony of rich, velvety flavors that tantalize taste buds with its dense, moist texture.

Southern baking traditions have long celebrated this indulgent dessert as a crowning achievement of home-style cooking.

Generations of bakers have perfected the delicate balance between intense cocoa notes and buttery smoothness.

Elegant yet unpretentious, this cake represents comfort and celebration in a single slice.

Sophisticated home cooks understand that remarkable desserts require precise ingredients and careful technique.

The magic happens when quality cocoa and premium butter merge into a sublime culinary experience.

chocolate lovers will find themselves drawn to its irresistible allure and comforting richness: prepare to be amazed.

Why Paula Deen’s Chocolate Pound Cake Will Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

  • Savor Rich Chocolate Depths: This Paula Deen Chocolate Pound Cake delivers an intense, deep chocolate experience that chocolate lovers will absolutely adore. Each bite promises a luxurious cocoa flavor that melts smoothly on your tongue.
  • Nail the Perfect Texture: The unique combination of butter and shortening creates an incredibly moist, dense cake with a tender crumb that holds its shape beautifully. Buttermilk adds extra softness, ensuring a velvety-smooth texture that's characteristic of an exceptional pound cake.
  • Master a Foolproof Baking Method: Despite looking impressive, this recipe uses straightforward techniques that even novice bakers can successfully execute. The step-by-step process of alternating dry ingredients with buttermilk guarantees a consistently perfect cake every single time, making it an ideal recipe for building baking confidence.
  • Ideal for Multiple Occasions: Whether you're hosting a weekend family gathering, preparing a potluck dessert, or craving a decadent afternoon treat, this chocolate pound cake fits seamlessly into various scenarios. Its rich flavor and elegant bundt shape make it suitable for casual and slightly more formal celebrations.

Ingredients for Paula Deen’s Chocolate Pound Cake

Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: A key component that provides structure to the chocolate pound cake, preferably fresh and sifted.
  • Cocoa Powder: Adds rich chocolate flavor and deep color to the cake, choose high-quality dark cocoa for best results.
  • Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Essential leavening agents that help the cake rise and create a tender texture.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the cake.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter, Shortening: Provide moisture and richness, creating a tender and smooth cake texture.
  • Sugar: Sweetens the cake and contributes to its soft, delicate crumb.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients together and add structure and richness to the cake.
  • Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps create a moist, tender cake with a soft crumb.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances the chocolate flavor and adds depth to the overall taste.
Preparation Ingredients:
  • Bundt Pan: Specific pan shape for creating the classic pound cake design.
  • Flour (for greasing): Prevents the cake from sticking to the pan and ensures easy removal.

How to Make Paula Deen’s Chocolate Pound Cake

How to Make Paula Deen’s Chocolate Pound Cake

Step 1: Prep the Baking Station

Warm up your oven to 160°C / 325°F. Generously coat a 10-inch bundt pan with butter and dust with flour to prevent sticking. Set the pan aside for later use.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a large mixing bowl and sift together:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking soda
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Cocoa powder

Set this perfectly blended dry mixture to the side.

Step 3: Whip Up the Base

Pull out your electric mixer and combine:
  • Softened butter
  • Shortening
  • Granulated sugar

Beat these ingredients until they transform into a light, fluffy cloud-like mixture.

Step 4: Incorporate Eggs

Add eggs one at a time into the creamy base. Mix thoroughly after each egg, ensuring a smooth and consistent texture.

Step 5: Create Batter Harmony

Gradually blend the dry ingredients and buttermilk into the butter mixture. Alternate between adding flour mixture and buttermilk, starting and ending with the flour. This technique ensures a silky, even batter.

Step 6: Boost Flavor

Splash in the vanilla extract and stir until completely integrated into the batter.

Step 7: Fill the Pan

Pour the chocolate batter into the prepared bundt pan. Use a spatula to spread it evenly, creating a smooth surface.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour and 45 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean.

Step 9: Cool and Serve

Let the cake rest in the pan for 10 minutes. Carefully turn it out onto a wire rack or serving plate. Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Pro Tips for Paula Deen’s Chocolate Pound Cake

  • Rescue Uneven Mixing: Start with a spatula to scrape down bowl sides, ensuring every ingredient blends smoothly without tough cake spots.
  • Combat Dry Cake Disaster: Stop overmixing batter by using gentle folding techniques that keep air pockets intact and maintain moistness.
  • Prevent Cocoa Clumping: Whisk cocoa powder separately before adding to dry ingredients to eliminate potential bitter lumps and create uniform chocolate flavor.
  • Master Pan Preparation: Tap flour-coated pan gently over sink to remove excess, creating a perfect non-stick surface for effortless cake release.
  • Temperature Transformation: Let refrigerated ingredients sit out 30-45 minutes before baking, allowing them to reach optimal room temperature for superior texture.

How to Store Paula Deen’s Chocolate Pound Cake

  • Preserve Flavor Integrity: Slice the cake before freezing and separate layers with parchment paper. Wrapping individual slices prevents freezer burn and allows easy single-serving defrosting. Quick grab-and-go method maintains the cake's rich chocolate essence.
  • Maximize Freshness: Place the cake in a sealed glass container with a tight-fitting lid to prevent moisture absorption. Keep away from strong-smelling foods in the refrigerator, as pound cake easily absorbs surrounding odors. Room temperature storage works best for the first two days after baking.
  • Extend Longevity: Vacuum seal the cake for extended freezer storage up to 4 months. Remove as much air as possible to prevent crystallization and maintain the cake's original texture. Label the package with the date to track storage time precisely.

Fun Variations for Paula Deen’s Chocolate Pound Cake

  • Mocha Chocolate Crunch: Enhance the cake by adding instant espresso powder to the dry ingredients and folding chopped dark chocolate-covered coffee beans into the batter for an extra kick of flavor and texture.
  • Nutty Chocolate Swirl: Mix chopped toasted pecans or almonds into the batter and create a rich chocolate swirl by reserving a small portion of batter, mixing it with extra cocoa powder, and creating marbled patterns throughout the cake.
  • Salted Caramel Chocolate: Drizzle warm homemade salted caramel sauce over the cooled cake and sprinkle flaky sea salt on top to create a decadent contrast of sweet and salty flavors.
  • Orange Chocolate Infusion: Add orange zest to the batter and create a complementary orange-chocolate glaze by mixing powdered sugar with fresh orange juice and melted dark chocolate for a citrusy chocolate experience.

Closing Thoughts on Paula Deen’s Chocolate Pound Cake

Chocolate pound cake lovers rejoice!

Paula Deen’s legendary recipe delivers rich, indulgent slices that melt hearts and spark conversations.

Chocolate layers create deep, complex flavor profiles beyond ordinary desserts.

Southern baking traditions shine through each carefully crafted crumb.

Generous portions promise pure comfort with minimal kitchen effort.

When chocolate cravings call, this recipe answers with delectable Southern charm – so grab your mixing bowl, share this mouthwatering masterpiece with friends, double-tap that like button, and spread deliciousness across social media platforms!

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Paula Deen Chocolate Pound Cake Recipe

Paula Deen Chocolate Pound Cake Recipe


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4.6 from 38 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Paula Deen’s Chocolate Pound Cake delivers rich, indulgent chocolate comfort straight from Southern kitchens. Moist chocolate layers meld classic pound cake tradition with deep cocoa warmth, promising pure dessert satisfaction for chocolate enthusiasts seeking a memorable slice of pure bliss.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Dry Ingredients:

  • 3 cups (384 grams) all purpose flour
  • 5 tablespoons (25 grams) cocoa
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Wet and Fat Ingredients:

  • 5 eggs
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) buttermilk
  • 1 cup (227 grams) softened butter
  • ½ cup (96 grams) vegetable shortening
  • 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) vanilla extract

Sweet and Additional Ingredients:

  • 3 cups (600 grams) sugar
  • 1 (10 inch) bundt pan

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven and pan by heating to 160°C / 325°F, then thoroughly coat a 10-inch bundt pan with butter and flour to prevent sticking.
  2. Combine all dry ingredients by sifting flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cocoa powder into a medium-sized mixing bowl, ensuring no lumps remain.
  3. Create a smooth base by using an electric mixer to cream butter, vegetable shortening, and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
  4. Incorporate eggs into the creamed mixture by adding them individually, mixing thoroughly after each addition to maintain a smooth, consistent texture.
  5. Build the cake batter by gradually introducing the sifted dry ingredients and buttermilk, alternating between the two components and starting and finishing with the flour mixture.
  6. Enhance flavor by gently stirring vanilla extract into the batter until completely integrated.
  7. Transfer the prepared batter into the prepared bundt pan, using a spatula to distribute the mixture evenly and eliminate any air pockets.
  8. Bake the cake in the preheated oven for 1 hour and 45 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should emerge clean when the cake is fully baked.
  9. Allow the cake to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully invert onto a wire rack or serving plate, permitting complete cooling before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Grab ingredients when they’ve warmed to room temperature for silky-smooth batter mixing.
  • Sifting dry ingredients eliminates pesky lumps guaranteeing a velvety cake texture.
  • Gentle mixing prevents tough cake texture, stopping when ingredients just combine.
  • Thorough pan preparation ensures clean cake release without frustrating sticking.
  • Strategic toothpick testing confirms perfect cake doneness before removing from oven.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 240
  • Sugar: 18.00g
  • Sodium: 190mg
  • Fat: 13.00g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.500g
  • Trans Fat: 0.000g
  • Carbohydrates: 28.00g
  • Fiber: 1.0g
  • Protein: 3.00g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg
Ethan Miller

Ethan Miller

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

  • Recipe Development and Testing
  • Food Photography and Styling
  • Culinary Writing and Blogging
  • Ingredient Sourcing and Sustainability Practices

Education

Portland Community College

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen operations, and food safety protocols.

Culinary Institute of the Pacific

  • Program: Certificate in International Cuisine
  • Focus: Exploration of global culinary traditions, flavor profiles, and plating artistry.

Ethan’s culinary journey began in his grandmother’s kitchen, where he first learned to play with flavors and ingredients. With formal training in culinary arts and a deep love for international cuisines, Ethan’s goal is to share the joy of cooking with others.

He believes food is all about creativity and bringing people together, one meal at a time. When he’s not experimenting with new dishes, he enjoys hiking in the Oregon wilderness and discovering fresh, local ingredients.

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