Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Filling

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 1 and 3/4 cups (220g) all-purpose flour
• 1 and 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup (75g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (240ml) whole milk
• 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240ml) boiling water

For the Cream Cheese Filling:

• 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2. Make the Cake Batter:
   In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
   Add eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes. Stir in the boiling water (batter will be thin).
3. Make the Cream Cheese Filling:
   In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, sugar, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
4. Assemble the Cake:
   Pour half of the chocolate batter evenly into the prepared pans. Spoon the cream cheese filling over the batter, then top with the remaining chocolate batter.
5. Bake:
   Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
6. Cool:
   Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then remove them and cool completely on a wire rack.
7. Optional Frosting:
   Frost with chocolate ganache or your favorite chocolate frosting if desired.

If you’d like, I can help you with a chocolate frosting or ganache recipe too — just ask!