Now Offering 1 hour Consultations
BOOK A TIME TODAY!

Desserts

Mini Brownie Bites with Buttercream Frosting

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my disclosure policy.

These easy brownie bites topped with an almond buttercream frosting are super moist, fudgy and the perfect mini size to pop in your mouth for a quick treat.

Brownie bites with green frosting and mini chocolate chips on gray plate.

This mini brownie bites recipe is perfect for parties and is endlessly versatile! (See our suggestion on how to decorate after St. Patrick’s Day below.) No matter your brownie preferences, these brownie bites deliver. Everyone will love their rich chocolate flavor! While corner brownie lovers will appreciate the crisp and chewy edges and middle of the pan brownie enthusiasts will adore the warm gooey center.

Whether it takes you a bite or two to eat, you’ll love these homemade mini brownies. They are full of rich chocolatey flavor and easy to make from scratch using simple pantry staples. No brownie mix required!

Try our chocolate chip cookie recipe or decadent chocolate coffee cake recipe for more fudgy chocolate treats.

Overhead image of Brownie bites with green frosting and mini chocolate chips on gray plate.

Equipment Needed to Make Mini Brownie Bites

Mini muffin pan: To prevent the brownie bites form sticking to the pan, spray the pan with non-stick cooking spray. For extra protection, you can line the pan inserts with parchment paper.

Mini-tart shaper: To fool your guest or family into believing you are a professional baker, we recommend using this mini-tart shaper. If you don’t have a tart shaper, you can use a spoon to evenly press down into each brownie.

Piping bag with large fitting: We love this reusable bag and piping tip set.

Plate of Brownie bites with green frosting and mini chocolate chips.

Brownie Bite FAQs

Can I double this recipe?

Yes! The more the merrier! Just double the ingredients for the chocolate brownie bites and buttercream frosting. Cook time will stay the same.

Can I use other toppings when decorating mini brownie bites?

I don’t see why not! While these treats make an excellent St. Patrick’s Day dessert, you can make them any time of the year or for any holiday with some adjustments. For instance, change out the food coloring to any color in the rainbow or substitute the buttercream frosting for cream cheese frosting.

Here are some toppings I recommend:

  • Sprinkles
  • Oreo crumbs
  • M&Ms (or mini M&Ms)
  • Reeses Pieces or crumbled Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
  • Drizzle of melted chocolate
  • Crumbled Cadbury eggs

Looking for more St. Patrick’s Day recipes? Check out our delicious Irish soda bread recipe!

Gray plate and dessert trays with brownie bites, topped with green frosting and mini chocolate chips.

How should you store leftover chocolate brownie bites?

You can store any leftover brownie bites in an airtight container in your fridge for up to a week.

Can you freeze mini brownie bites?

Yes! Let them cool completely before placing them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Then thaw the bite-sized brownies covered on the counter for 1-2 hours or overnight in the fridge before decorating.

Can you substitute the almond flavor in the buttercream?

Yes. We recommend replacing the almond extract with 1 tsp of vanilla extract for a classic buttercream taste.

Half eaten brownie bites with green frosting and mini chocolate chips on a gray plate.

How to Make Mini Brownie Bites – Step by Step

Step 1
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray mini muffin pan with non-stick spray, then set aside.

Step 2
Melt butter on stove top in a small pot or in the microwave using a medium bowl.  Add sugar and blend well.

Closeup of flour, sugar, chocolate chips, butter, eggs and cocoa powder in wood bowls.

Step 3
Add butter mixture to a stand mixer or a large bowl, mix in cocoa powder until well combined.

Step 4
Add baking powder, vanilla, eggs and salt, blend well.

Step 5
Add flour ½ cup at a time until fully combined. Stir in chocolate chips until evenly distributed.

Batter mixed into large silver bowl.

Step 6
Scoop about 1 tbsp into the individual spots of the prepared mini muffin pan.

Brownie batter being scooped into mini tart pan using gold measuring spoon.

Step 7
Bake for 12-15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for approximately 8-10 minutes before using a mini-tart shaper to press into each brownie. Remove mini brownie bites from the pan and place on the cooling rack.

If brownies rise a little gently use a spoon to press them down to look flat as soon as removed from the oven.  It will make it easier to press the mini-tart shaper into the brownie if they are not rounded.  Best way to remove from the pan after using a shaper is to slide a butter knife down alongside the brownie and it should lift out easily.

Brownie being stamped by mini pastry stamp while in large pan.

How to make Buttercream Frosting for Brownies

Step 1
Add powdered sugar and butter to a medium bowl and mix well.

Step 2
Add heavy cream and vanilla until well combined.

Step 3
Add 2-3 drops of green food coloring and blend well until satisfied with the color.

Green frosting and whisk in large white bowl.

Step 4
Add filling to a piping bag and fill the individual brownie cups. Top the brownie bites with mini chocolate chips if desired.

Brownie bites being filled with green frosting using large pastry tip and bag.

Brownie with green frosting and chocolate chips cooling on baking racks.

More Chocolate Desserts You’ll Love

The Best Chocolate Chunk Cookies Ever
Chocolate Coffee Cake with Mascarpone Frosting

 

Mini Brownie Bites with Buttercream Filling

5 from 2 votes
Serves | 4 dozen
These easy brownie bites topped with an almond buttercream frosting are super moist, fudgy and the perfect size to pop in your mouth for a quick treat. They're perfect for parties or as a chewy and gooey individual treat!
Prep25 mins
Cook15 mins
Total 40 mins

Ingredients
 
 

Brownies
  • 2 ¼ cups sugar
  • 1 ¼ cups cocoa powder
  • 1 ½ cups flour
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • ½ cup chocolate chips optional, sprinkle on final product
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 cup butter melted
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • non-stick cooking spray
Buttercream Filling
  • ½ cup butter melted
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tbsp heavy cream
  • 1 tsp almond extract
  • 2-3 drops green food coloring

Instructions
 

Brownies
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Spray mini muffin pan with non-stick spray, set aside.
  • Melt butter on stove top in a small pot or in the microwave using a medium bowl.  Add sugar and blend well.
  • Add butter mixture to a stand mixer or a large bowl, mix in cocoa powder until well combined.
  • Add baking powder, vanilla, eggs and salt, blend well.
  • Add flour ½ cup at a time until fully combined. Stir in chocolate chips until evenly distributed.
  • Scoop about 1 tbsp into the individual spots of the prepared mini muffin pan.
  • Bake for 12-15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for approximately 8-10 minutes before using a mini-tart shaper to press into each brownie. Remove brownies from the pan and place on the cooling rack.
Buttercream Filling
  • Add powdered sugar and butter to a medium bowl and mix well.
  • Add heavy cream and vanilla until well combined.
  • Add 2-3 drops of green food coloring and blend well until satisfied with the color.
  • Add filling to a piping bag and fill the individual brownie cups.  Top with mini chocolate chips if desired.

Notes

Special Equipment: Mini-tart shaper, piping bag with large fitting of your choice
Notes: If brownies rise a little gently use a spoon to press them down to look flat as soon as removed from the oven.  It will make it easier to press the mini-tart shaper into the brownie if they are not rounded.  Best way to remove from the pan after using a shaper is to slide a butter knife down alongside the brownie and it should lift out easily.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g, Calories: 1497kcal (75%), Carbohydrates: 317g (106%), Protein: 19g (38%), Fat: 25g (38%), Saturated Fat: 14g (88%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 191mg (64%), Sodium: 1040mg (45%), Potassium: 656mg (19%), Fiber: 10g (42%), Sugar: 260g (289%), Vitamin A: 441IU (9%), Vitamin C: 1mg (1%), Calcium: 175mg (18%), Iron: 7mg (39%)
Course | Dessert
Cuisine | American,Irish
Did You Make This?I'd love to see it! Follow @PrettyDomesticated on Instagram, take a photo and tag it with #prettydomesticated.
© Pretty Domesticated

Shop the Post


William Sonoma

Crate & Barrel

Crate & Barrel

Target
Breads

Easy Traditional Irish Soda Bread Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my disclosure policy.

If you love freshly baked bread, traditional Irish soda bread is a must-try. This hearty bread has a golden-brown crust with a soft, tender crumb, and is the easiest bread you’ll make!

Traditional soda bread requires no rising time, a few basic ingredients and takes only 55 minutes to come together. The best part – while quick and easy, it doesn’t lack any flavor! This St. Patrick’s Day favorite has an almost biscuit like texture and pairs beautiful with cold butter or a hearty stew.

Irish soda bread on bread board with butter.

Why You’ll Love this Easy Soda Bread Recipe

This Irish soda bread recipe requires only 4 ingredients and will help you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day the right way! It’s also a fun recipe to bake with kids because it’s quick and easy to make. Kids can easily help shape the round loaf, as it’s supposed to have a bit of craggy crust anyways. Plus, no yeast is required, which drastically cuts down on the prep time.

However, the real secret to this classic family recipe is buttermilk. Buttermilk chemically reacts with the baking soda to provide the homemade bread’s leavening. It also happens to add delicious flavor!

If you’re baking for St. Patrick’s Day, you’ll also love our Brownie Bites with Buttercream Frosting.

Round soda dough loaf on marble.

Sliced Irish soda bread on bread board.

Traditional Irish Soda Bread Ingredients

Flour: This recipe calls for all-purpose flour and not whole-wheat flour. Traditionally, the Irish used soft wheat flour which is somewhat similar to cake flour and is low in gluten.

Buttermilk: This is a necessary ingredient because the acid in the room temperature buttermilk activates the baking soda which makes the bread rise. Here’s a good substitute if you don’t have buttermilk: Mix milk with white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or lemon juice. You can also use plain yogurt mixed with regular milk.

Baking soda: It is also known as Sodium Bicarbonate, Bicarbonate of Soda, bi carb, or bread soda in Ireland. It was and still is used as a leavening agent instead of yeast. When making Soda Bread be sure to use baking soda, NOT baking powder.

Salt: Salt adds flavor to the bread.

Ingredients, including flour, baking soda, buttermilk and salt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a little sugar to traditional soda bread?

You certainly can, but traditional Irish soda bread doesn’t have sugar in it and is not meant to be sweet or airy.

How long does Irish soda bread last?

Soda bread can dry out quickly. It’s best when freshly baked or toasted. You can store it tightly wrapped for about 2-3 days or freeze it for up to 2 months.

Sliced traditional Irish soda bread on bread board.

Why do the Irish put a cross on top of the loaf and poke it with a sharp knife?

Depending on who you talk to, the cross is meant to bless the bread or let the divel (devil) out. Poking it in all four sections is to create holes so that the fairies can escape from it.

Irish soda bread served with butter.

Can you bake Irish soda bread with gluten-free flour?

You certainly can! Traditionally the Irish used soft wheat flour which was low in gluten so in a way soda bread is designed for low gluten flour.

Can I add other ingredients to soda bread?

Soda bread is so versatile. You can add whisky-soaked raisins, caraway seeds, jalapeños, rosemary, cheese, dried cherries, sultanas, dates, butter, or sugar.

Irish soda bread on marble counter for St. Patrick's Day.

Sliced soda bread.

Can you prepare the dough earlier and then bake it later?

I wouldn’t recommend that. It’s best to bake the bread immediately after kneading because the baking soda is most active and will ensure that the bread will rise well.

Can I use a salt substitute for this recipe?

Absolutely.

Will doubling the baking soda make the soda bread rise more?

Unfortunately, it won’t. It will only give the bread a metallic taste.

Soda bread on a marble counter with shamrock decorations.

How do I keep the crust from getting too hard?

Wrapping Irish soda bread in a damp tea towel for about an hour after baking will prevent its crust from getting too hard.

Can I divide the dough so I can make smaller loaves?

You certainly can! Especially if you plan on giving some to your neighbors and friends for St. Patrick’s Day. The baking time will be less though, so keep a close eye on the bread.

Uncut soda bread on bread board.

Tools Needed to Make Irish Soda Bread

Baking sheet, cast iron skillet, or Dutch oven
Parchment paper
Measuring cup
Measuring spoon
Mixing bowl
Wire rack
Serrated knife or sharp knife
Wooden spoon

Soda bread loaf on marble.

Soda bread cut and served on bread board.

How to Make No Yeast Irish Soda Bread

Step 1
Preheat your oven temperature to 400° F.

Step 2
Mix together all your dry ingredients: white flour, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.

Dry ingredients in glass bowl.

Step 3
Create a well in the middle of the flour mixture. Pour into it the buttermilk or whole milk mixed with vinegar or lime juice.

Dry ingredients in a glass bowl with well in the middle.Buttermilk and dry ingredients in a glass bowl.

Step 4
Mix the Irish soda bread dough using your hands or a wooden spoon until the dough comes together.

Irish soda bread dough in glass bowl.

Step 5
Sprinkle flour over your work surface and transfer the dough onto it.

Step 6
Knead the dough lightly. Don’t over-knead your dough. Over kneading will result in a very dense loaf.

Step 7
Shape the dough into a ball and flatten the top.

Irish soda bread round on marble.

Step 8
Let the divel (devil) out by cutting a deep cross onto the top of the bread. The cut should be 1 inch deep, and it ensures the bread bakes evenly inside.

Irish soda bread with cross cut in the middle.

Step 9
Poke the bread a few times with the tip of your knife for good luck and to let the fairies out of the bread.

Irish soda bread with knife puncturing dough.Irish soda bread dough on marble.

Step 10
Transfer the loaf onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and then bake in the middle rack for 40-45 Minutes. The parchment paper keeps the bread from sticking to the baking sheet.

If your soda bread looks like it’s browning too fast in the oven, cover it loosely with aluminum foil and then lower the heat to 350 degrees.

Soda bread dough on pan with parchment paper.

Step 11
Check on your loaf about 30 minutes into the bake, just to make sure it doesn’t over-brown.

Step 12
Your soda bread is ready when you pierce it with a toothpick and it comes out clean. You can also tap the bottom of the loaf. If you hear a hollow sound, then that’s a good sign that it’s ready.

Let the homemade bread you just made cool completely before serving. Serve your traditional Irish Soda Bread with a bowl of hearty Irish stew or slather its tender crumb with a slice of Irish butter.

Enjoy! If you try this recipe, please come back to share using my 5-star rating in the comments below!

More Classic Recipes

Chocolate Cranberry Sourdough Bread
Mini Brownie Bites with Buttercream Frosting
The Best Chocolate Chunk Cookies

 

Easy Traditional Irish Soda Bread

5 from 6 votes
Serves | 12 servings
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day the right way with this easy, traditional Irish Soda Bread recipe! Soda bread uses just 4 ingredients and is the world's best no yeast bread. This is a fun recipe to bake with kids because it's really quick to make.
Prep15 mins
Cook40 mins
Total 55 mins

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven temperature to 400° F.
  • Mix together all your dry ingredients: white flour, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
  • Create a well in the middle of the flour mixture. Pour into it the buttermilk or whole milk mixed with vinegar or lime juice.
  • Mix the Irish soda bread dough using your hands or a wooden spoon until the dough comes together.
  • Sprinkle flour over your work surface and transfer the dough onto it.
  • Knead the dough lightly. Don't over-knead your dough. Overkneading will result in a very dense loaf.
  • Shape the dough into a ball and flatten the top.
  • Let the divel (devil) out by cutting a deep cross onto the top of the bread. The cut should be 1 inch deep and it ensures the bread bakes evenly inside.
  • Poke the bread a few times with the tip of your knife for good luck and also to let the fairies out of the bread.
  • Transfer the loaf onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and then bake in the middle rack for 40-45 Minutes. The parchment paper keeps the bread from sticking to the baking sheet.
    If your soda bread looks like it's browning too fast in the oven, cover it loosely with aluminum foil and then lower the heat to 350 degrees.
  • Check on your loaf about 30 minutes into the bake, just to make sure it doesn't over-brown.
  • Your soda bread is ready when you pierce it with a toothpick and it comes out clean. You can also tap the bottom of the loaf. If you hear a hollow sound, then that's a good sign that it’s ready.
    Let the homemade bread cool completely before serving.

Notes

Serving suggestions: Serve your traditional Irish Soda Bread with a bowl of Irish stew or slather its tender crumb with a slice of Irish butter.
For extra flavor: Add whisky-soaked raisins, caraway seeds, jalapenos, rosemary, cheese, dried cherries, sultanas, dates, butter, or sugar.
Buttermilk subsitution: Mix milk with white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or lemon juice. You can also use plain yogurt mixed with regular milk.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice, Calories: 180kcal (9%), Carbohydrates: 34g (11%), Protein: 6g (12%), Fat: 2g (3%), Saturated Fat: 1g (6%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 5mg (2%), Sodium: 384mg (17%), Potassium: 105mg (3%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 2g (2%), Vitamin A: 74IU (1%), Calcium: 58mg (6%), Iron: 2mg (11%)
Course | Bread
Cuisine | American,Irish
Did You Make This?I'd love to see it! Follow @PrettyDomesticated on Instagram, take a photo and tag it with #prettydomesticated.
© Pretty Domesticated

Shop the Post


Lindye Galloway Shop

McGee & Co

Target

Crate & Barrel

Crate & Barrel
Desserts

The Best Chocolate Chunk Cookies Ever

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my disclosure policy.

This is the best chocolate chunk cookies recipe ever – These delicious cookies are crispy on the outside and have a soft gooey center! Think ultra-thick, soft, chocolate chip cookies that melt in your mouth.

Chocolate chip cookies on marble counter.

Yes, I realize everyone claims they know how to make the best chocolate chip cookies, but I have years of testing delicious cookies.

I started my chocolate chip cookie experiments in 3rd grade starting with the ever so trusty recipe on the back of every Nestle Toll House semi-sweet chocolate chip bag. While according to my mother, my kitchen cleanup skills were lacking, my cookie game was on-point from an early age. Plus, have I steered you wrong yet? Only answer that, if the answer is “no” and you weren’t one of my friends involved in the tragically flat cookie incident circa 2002.

Look at this point, I have that Nestle Toll House cookie recipe memorized, and my kids do too. I know it’s not perfect, the semi-sweet chocolate cookies sometimes come out disappointedly flat, but it’s a good recipe, maybe even great. This chocolate chunk recipe, well, it’s better. Nestle had a good two-decade (or three, who’s counting?) run, but I’m declaring these the best chocolate chip cookies of ALL-TIME! Yeah, I went there.

This easy, original recipe takes classic chocolate chip cookie recipes and amps it up a notch, using high-quality chocolate chunks for a crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside bite. Our chocolate chunk cookie recipe will fulfill your chocolate cookie craving week after week.


Chocolate chunk cookie with glass of milk.

What makes these chocolate chunk cookies the best?

I try to eat healthy, I really do, but there’s nothing I love more than a big glass of cold milk. Pair it with a thick, decadent, gooey warm chocolate chip cookies and it’s actual heaven. Next level, heaven, and I’m pretty sure calories don’t count there anyways.

This chocolate chunk cookies recipe is the best because it’s consistent. Every time it delivers a warm, crispy outside and a soft gooey center that pairs beautiful with a glass of cold milk. Just make sure you don’t over bake! (Said every cookie recipe ever!) Take the cookies out of the oven when the edges are golden brown and the middle’s still soft.

It’s also the best because it uses chocolate chunks! Pre-packaged semi-sweet chocolate chips don’t melt the way high quality, hand-cut chocolate does. I promise. You don’t want to skip this step.

This recipe is pretty much perfect as is, but if you’re craving something a little salty-sweet, try sprinkling your cookies with kosher salt or flaky sea salt when they’re fresh out of the oven! I like my salt course.

Plate of chocolate chunk cookies with milk.

Single crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside chocolate chip cookie.

Recommend Tools for Delicious Cookies

2 medium-sized bowls
Hand mixer
Wooden spoon or rubber Spatula
Measuring cup
Measuring spoon
Digital kitchen scale
Saucepan
Large baking sheets
Parchment paper
Cookie scoop
Wire rack

Ingredients for Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Butter: For this recipe, you will need unsalted butter. When melted, it turns into liquid brown butter. Brown butter gives cookies a nutty flavor and chewy texture as well as crisp edges. It is the secret to making the perfect cookie.

Sugar: The two kinds of sugar you will use for this recipe will be white granulated sugar and brown sugar. Brown sugar adds an extra layer of flavor to the cookies.

Baking soda: It acts as a leavening agent making the cookies soft, as well as puffy.

Vanilla extract: This recipe doesn’t require vanilla extract, but you can use a tablespoon of vanilla extract if you like.

Flour: Some people use bread flour, and others swear by cake flour when making cookies. I have found that the best flour for homemade chocolate chunk cookies is All-Purpose flour.

Eggs: You will need two large eggs that are at room temperature. To get your eggs to room temperature, place them in a bowl containing warm water.

Salt: Kosher salt is arguably the best kind of salt for making these chocolate chunk cookies.

Chocolate chunks: Roughly chop your chocolate bar into small pieces. High-quality chocolate bars are usually found right next to the chocolate chips at your local grocery store.

Ingredients including flour, baking soda, kosher salt, flour, melted butter, sugar, dark brown sugar, eggs and chocolate chunks.

Why To Use Grams When Baking

Simply put, grams are more accurate. A gram will always be a gram. A cup, tablespoon and teaspoon vary day-to-day and person-to-person.

That’s why professional chefs use mass measurements for consistency in the flavor and look each time a recipe is prepared. There are so many variables when baking – your ingredients, the mixing technique, temperature and humidity, your oven, etc. Some of these variables are hard to control, but you can control accuracy by using a kitchen scale to weigh ingredients. Of course, there are some ingredients that won’t make a massive difference if you’re a little over or under in quantities (chocolate chips for example) but for the staple ingredients – flour, sugar, butter, eggs – it’s crucial you get it right.

If you prefer to measure in American units of volume (i.e., cups, tablespoons & teaspoons), you’ll find the conversions in the recipe card. Jump to Recipe.

Stack of chocolate chip cookies next to glass of milk.

Chocolate Chunk Cookies FAQs

How can I make my own brown sugar?

Mixing 1 Cup of granulated sugar with 2 tablespoons of molasses is a quick way of making brown sugar.

Can I use chocolate chips instead of chocolate chunks?

You can, but you’ll miss out on a delicious cookie that also has gooey chocolate chips in it.

Split open chocolate chunk cookie with semi-sweet chocolate shavings nearby.

Can I use chocolate discs for cookies?

Yes, you can. Since they are small in size, you don’t have to roughly chop them.

How do you cut baking chocolate into chunks?

The easiest way of cutting baking chocolate is by using a serrated knife like a bread knife. You can also use a sharp knife if you don’t have a bread knife. Just be careful while using it. Also, take your time and make sure your cutting board is anchored to your countertop.

Plate of chocolate chunk cookies.

How would you suggest freezing the dough?

First, scoop the dough into balls and then place them into a freezer bag. Make sure to remove as much air from it as you can and double bag it by placing it in another freezer bag. Cookie dough can last in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Can I let the dough sit in the fridge overnight?

Absolutely! Letting it sit in the fridge overnight will make it even more flavorful! Just be sure to either cover the bowl in saran wrap or roll the dough into balls and then place them in Ziplock bags.

Plate of chocolate chunk cookies with milk.

Can I chill the butter after it browns?

Yes, chilling the butter for 3-5 minutes will help bring it down to room temperature.

How many cookies does this recipe make?

This recipe makes about 12 cookies.

How long can cookie dough last in the fridge?

Cookie dough can last up to 5 days in the fridge.

Pan of freshly baked chocolate chunk cookies.

How do I store my baked cookies?

Storing them at room temperature in an airtight container will keep them soft and crispy. If you like your cookies gooey and hot, microwave for 20 seconds.

Can I replace the butter with oil?

You can, but I wouldn’t recommend doing it. If you do, let me know how it turns out!

How much should the cookie dough (per cookie) weigh?

65-70g is what I’d recommend.

Do I need to thaw the frozen dough balls?

Thawing is not really necessary. All you’ll need to do is bake them for one extra minute or until the edges are golden brown.

Plate of chocolate chunk cookies with milk.

How to Make Chocolate Chunk Cookies – Step by Step

Step 1
Preheat your oven to 370 degrees (F).

Step 2
In a medium bowl mix the dry ingredients together (flour, baking soda, salt) and then set aside.

Dry ingredients mixed in glass bowl.

Step 3
Place the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Remove it from the heat and pour it into a medium-sized bowl after it turns golden brown. This type of butter is also known as browned butter.

Step 4
After the melted browned butter cools down, pour it into a large bowl. Add sugar, a room temperature egg, as well as an extra egg yolk to it. Mix all the ingredients at low speed using a handheld electric mixer.

Wet ingredients before being mixed in a glass bowl on a marble counter.

Step 5
Pour 1/2 of the flour mixture into the bowl and then mix. Add the rest of the flour as well as the dark chocolate chunks and mix them all until there’s no flour left. At this point, you might have to use a wooden spoon or spatula to mix.

Cookie dough mid-mixing of flour. Chocolate chunks added to cookie dough.

After mixing the chocolate chip cookie dough, cover it with plastic wrap and then place it in the fridge for about 20 minutes. This step will help the cookies retain their structure and make thick chewy chocolate chip cookies.

Closeup of raw cookie dough.

Step 6
Using an ice cream scoop, scoop out the dough. Place the cookie dough balls 2 inches apart onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

If you don’t have an ice cream scoop, scoop about 3 tablespoons of dough and then form them into a ball.

Six round balls of dough on parchment paper lined metal pan.

Step 7
Place the tray into the preheated oven and proceed to bake them for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.

Step 8
Remove the baked cookies from the oven and then let them cook for about 10 minutes. If you want, you can transfer them onto a cooling rack to cool completely.

Repeat this process with the rest of the dough.

Pan of freshly baked chocolate chunk cookies.

Enjoy! Consider this your ultimate guide to warm chocolate chip cookies. If you try this recipe, please come back to share using my 5-star rating in the comments below! 

Hungry for more recipes and home tips? Sign up for my newsletter to get amazing content sent directly to your mailbox.

More Great Desserts

Chocolate Coffee Cake with Mascarpone Frosting
Yogurt Parfait with Fruit & Chocolate Granola
Easy Raspberry Mousse

 

Single crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside chocolate chip cookie.

The Best Chocolate Chunk Cookies Ever

5 from 6 votes
Serves | 12
This is the Best Chocolate Chunk Cookies recipe ever - These delicious cookies are crispy on the outside and have a soft gooey center!
Prep10 mins
Cook12 mins
Resting Time30 mins
Total 52 mins

Ingredients
 
 

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 370°F.
  • In a medium bowl mix the dry ingredients together (flour, baking soda, salt) and then set aside.
  • Place the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Remove it from the heat and pour it into a medium-sized bowl after it turns golden brown. This type of butter is also known as browned butter.
  • After the melted browned butter cools down, pour it into a large bowl. Add sugar, a room temperature egg, as well as an extra egg yolk to it. Mix all the ingredients at low speed using a handheld electric mixer.
  • Pour 1/2 of the flour mixture into the bowl and then mix. Add the rest of the flour as well as the dark chocolate chunks and mix them all until there’s no flour left. At this point, you might have to use a wooden spoon or spatula to mix.
    After mixing the chocolate chip cookie dough, cover it with plastic wrap and then place it in the fridge for about 20 minutes. This step will help the cookies retain their structure and also make thick chewy chocolate chip cookies.
  • Using an ice cream scoop, scoop out the dough. Place the cookie dough balls 2 inches apart onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
    If you don't have an ice cream scoop, scoop about 3 tablespoons of dough and then form them into a ball.
  • Place the tray into the preheated oven and proceed to bake them for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden brown.
  • Remove the baked cookies from the oven and then let them cook for about 10 minutes. If you want, you can transfer them onto a cooling rack to cool completely.
    Repeat this process with the rest of the dough.

Video

Notes

Tip: For a crisper taste, sprinkle your cookies with kosher salt or flaky sea salt when they're fresh out of the oven!

Nutrition

Serving: 1g, Calories: 279kcal (14%), Carbohydrates: 40g (13%), Protein: 3g (6%), Fat: 12g (18%), Saturated Fat: 7g (44%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 48mg (16%), Sodium: 203mg (9%), Potassium: 96mg (3%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 25g (28%), Vitamin A: 280IU (6%), Calcium: 22mg (2%), Iron: 2mg (11%)
Course | Dessert
Cuisine | American
Did You Make This?I'd love to see it! Follow @PrettyDomesticated on Instagram, take a photo and tag it with #prettydomesticated.
© Pretty Domesticated

Shop the Post


William Sonoma

Bed, Bath & Beyond

William Sonoma

Lindye Galloway Shop

Target

Crate & Barrel

Crate & Barrel

William Sonoma
Design

Our Readers’ Favorite Things of 2021

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my disclosure policy.

With a new year quickly approaching, we thought it would be fun to take a look back at the past 12 months to see what your favorite things of 2021 were. We checked our analytics, and these are the items you clicked and shopped over and over again in 2021! Many of your favorite items are cherished pieces of my own, so it was a treat to see them appear here. From bold chairs to my favorite dress, I love your taste!

Picture of our readers favorite products from 2021

1. Amazon Linen Pinch Pleat Curtain Panel $75.51: Proof that everyone loves a good dupe! This affordable curtain panel will give you the look of our often asked about sunroom curtains at a great price. Plus they ship quickly.

2. Riviera Chair $298: It’s no surprise this one landed in your favorite things of 2021! These best-selling Parisian inspired bistro chairs, seen here, are super kid friendly. They’re easy to clean without sacrificing style.

3. 24″ Conical Drum Pendant $639: We love this oversized pendant and so do you. It looks particularly good over a round table over paired above an oversized kitchen island.

4. Hattie Chair $2475: This textural chair works great in a family home. The fabric is performance grade, which is made for both indoor and outdoor use. The chair’s natural rattan and sleek black metal frame create beautiful dimension.

5. Shearwater Hand-Knotted Rug  Starting at $2198: This subtle and elegant rug from a partnership with Serena & Lily got a lot of click love in 2021. We don’t blame you.

6. Allister Chair $1872.42: A chair that feels at home, almost anywhere you put it! Comfort and style are synonymous in this striking armchair

7. Webster Bed Starting at $1698: We love to blend modern with traditional for a soulful room. This bed does both and looks right a home in our son’s bedroom here.

8. Clinton Modern Wingback Chair in Peridot Green $2049: You responded well to this chair when we debuted in our basement the year. A refined take on the classic wingback chair, the Clinton features elegant fabric upholstery. We chose a color we’re predicting you’ll be seeing a lot of in 2022.

9. Brass Shelf $70: When we shared a clip of this little brass shelf in a recent bathroom project, you asked where it was from and then clicked and shopped away. It subtle form and small scale make it the perfect addition to any space that needs a little something special.

10. Palmdale Console $350: Looking for a beautiful and current console at a great price? This is it. You can see it in our Fort Myers project here.

11. Homer Rug Starting at $168: This rug has been in our sunroom for a few years, but it’s as in demand as ever! Tonal blues and a check pattern give this rug a timeless look that pairs well with other rugs nearby.

12. Decorative Rectangle Storage Basket $50: This one surprised me a little, but when I thought about it, it made perfect sense. Who doesn’t need a good basket in their life! I use mine to store toys, then throw a blanket on top to hide them.

13. Sigmund Dress $248: It was fun to see my favorite dress show up in your favorite things of 2021 too! I love this dress’s flattering cut. It stylish, but comfortable and easy to wear.

14. Anastasia Rug Starting at 161.65: This rug has been through the wringer in our family room, but you’d never know. Rich colors come together to create a surprisingly neutral look. I know from experience that this rug can handle repetitive coffee spills and even an unfortunate nail polish incident.

15. Lynwood Cube $95: We love this square ottoman so much, we keep buying it in different patterns over and over again.If you keep your eye out you’ll spot it in several of our projects.

16. 501® Distressed Crop Jeans On sale for $58.90: When you find a good jean, snap them up! I first discovered these during the Nordstrom sale.

Shop the Post


Amazon

Serena & Lily

Rejuvenation

McGee & Co

Serena & Lily

Pretty Domesticated

Serena & Lily

Rejuvenation

Shoppe Amber Interiors

Target

Annie Selke

Target

Reformation

Pretty Domesticated

Target

Nordstrom
Design

5 Easy Ways to Add Character to a New Home

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my disclosure policy.

Create Your Own Character Home
At one point every home was a new build. Architecture isn’t the only way to add character to a new home. You can decorate your new home to be warm & inviting too.

New builds are notorious for lacking character, but that doesn’t have to be the case. You can add character to a new home with styling. While we often recommend adding architecture details to liven up a new build, a huge impact can be made through decorating alone! A new house often lends the perfect neutral backdrop to let your own personal style shine. Think of it less as an empty white box and more of it as a blank canvas. There’s a lot of beauty and opportunity in a new build. For one, you don’t have to undo any decorating disasters or live with dated wallpaper and garish carpet until you have the time or money to fix them. After all, that’s not the type of “character” we’re after. You can create an inviting home that reflects your own personal taste right now!

Easier said than done though, right? Maybe you just bought a new house and it’s filled with builder’s grade colors and finishes and it feels like it’s lacking personality. You’re not the DIY type, but you know you need a change. Or maybe you just moved into an apartment and you can’t change anything but the furnishings. No matter what the situation, you’re probably staring at your cold, empty space or halfway furnished room with hand-me-down furniture from years past thinking “Where do I even start?”

The good news is it’s not as hard as you think to add character a new home. We broke down how to decorate a new build into 5 easy to follow tips. Your rooms will be so inviting the hard part will be wanting to ever leave your home. Learn our secrets to creating a space everyone wants to spend time in below.

For even more tips on how to create a luxurious home read our post on how to shop like an interior designer.

Click here to shop our living room.

How to Add Character to New Home - AfterHow to Add Character to New Home - Before
The only difference between these two photos is styling.
The paint. flooring, bookcases and even the sofas are exactly the same. We used the five tips below to create a living room that we love spending time in.
Gift Guides

The 2021 Pretty Domesticated Holiday Gift Guides

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my disclosure policy.

2021 Holiday Gift Guides

The one stop shop for everyone on your list!
All of our 2021 gift guides in one place! Find the perfect gift for your loved ones this holiday season. Happy Holiday shopping!

We peaked in our own homes and closets, and spent hours researching products to find you the best 2021 holiday gifts. Shopping our guides will give you a peace of mind as you enter the craziness that the holiday season brings. Now that you have your gifts covered, you can spend more time making memories this busy, holiday season. This year, long lead times and delays have affected nearly every industry, but there’s still lots of great gifts out there! We’ve helped narrow down the sea of options. Every single item is something we already have and love or is on our own personal wish list!

This post is the landing page of our 2021 holiday gift guides. We’ll update the links as soon as they go live! We are releasing 4 different guides including:

2021 Pretty Domesticated Holiday Gift Guides

Great Gifts for the Home Lover from The PD Collection
Gifts for the Homebody
Gifts for Kids
Activity Sets For Kids

 


Quick Shop Our Holiday Gift Guides

Gift Guides

Holiday Gifts for the Homebody

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my disclosure policy.

Round up of 2021 Holiday Gifts for the Homebody

 

Gifts for the homebody that are a little bit indulgent and a lot bit cozy.

Just because you’re loved ones aren’t going out, doesn’t mean inside can’t be fabulous. There’s no place like home, and with the current state of affairs, we’re embracing the homebody life more than ever. We rounded up a diverse range of gifts that make days at home even better.

We didn’t have to look much farther than our own home to find you the perfect gifts for the (likely many) homebodies on your list. In fact, you might add well call this gift guide “Katie’s favorite things.”

Like this guide? Don’t miss our gift guide featuring products from The PD Collection. Every single home decor item will satisfy the home lover on your list!

 

View All Our 2021 Holiday Gift Guides

 


 

Design

Great Gifts for Home Lovers from The PD Collection

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my disclosure policy.

Great Home Decor Gifts from The PD Collection

 

Holiday gifts for the home decor lover.

This season holiday gifts that are in stock and ready to ship are hard to come by, especially in the home decor sphere. We rounded 17 of our favorite decor gifts from our very own collection and it’s ALL in stock!  Shop below to find the perfect gift for the home decor lover on your list. From cozy throws to family games they won’t mind leaving out on the coffee table, we have you covered!

What’s The PD Collection? The PD Collection is our newly launched online store. Everything in the collection from the furniture, decor to the lighting, is hand curated by Katie. Why shop The PD Collection? The PD Collection is not an affiliate shop. Shopping these products directly supports Pretty Domesticated and allows us to keep bringing you great home and lifestyle content free of charge.

 

View All Our 2021 Holiday Gift Guides

 


 

Gift Guides

2021 Holiday Sale List

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my disclosure policy.
<u>Christmas Tree in sunroom decorated in a classic style,</u> Coastal and rustic dining room with wood table and rattan chairs decorated for Christmas
Our most asked about home items are on sale
Including these comfy and stylish chairs are on sale for 20% off through McGee & Co with the code THANKYOU. Get our kid-friendly chairs by Serena & Lily for 25% off! And our dining pendant is on sale forever $100 off at Rejuvenation.

We’ll be updating the list throughout the week. Click here to shop our curated gift guides. many of the items are currently on sale!

For the Home

AllModern: Up to 25% off +  Extra 25% off with code GET25

Amazon: Amazing deals sitewide! Including the lowest prices of the year on the 55″ Samsung Frame TV!

Annie Selke: 2o% off everything in stock with code GIVEJOY

Anthropologie: 30% off site wide!

Article: Up to 30% off.

Artifact Uprising: Exclusive code! Use code DOMESTICATED15  for 15% off site wide (Photo Gifts, Holiday Cards and more!) Redeemable until 12/31/2021. Or use code VERYMERRY fort 20% off orders $200+

Boll & Branch: 25 % off everything $200+ with code CYBERWEEK

CB2: 30% off covet-worthy pieces + up to 60% off clearance.

Crate & Barrel: Up to 60% off.

Danielle Oakey Shop: 20% off site wide with code BF2021 + free domestic shipping

Etsy: Up to 60% off select items site wide.

Framebridge: 15% off first order with code BLACKFRIDAY

Gathre: Free domestic shipping on all orders through 11/29

Horchow: 25% off site wide

Interior Define: 15% off

Kassatex: 20% off no minimum, 25% off orders $200+, 30% off orders $250+ with code GETCOZY

Lulu & Georgia: 25% off purchase with code THANKFUL

McGee & Co: 20% off site wide with code GRATEFUL

Minted: 25% off everything, plus free shipping with code CM2021

Overstock: Up to 70% off 1000s of items

One Kings Lane: 25% off site wide + an extra 15% off orders over $600 with code CYBER15

Pottery Barn: Up to 70% off 1000s of items + free shipping on bedding, pillows, throws & more

Pottery Barn Kids: Up to 60% off 1000s of items &  free shipping with code COZY

Rejuvenation: Up to 50% off + free shipping with code FREESHIP

Target: Great deals site-wide

Schoolhouse: Free shipping on everything

Serena & Lily: 25% off with code ITSHERE

Shoppe by Amber Interiors: 20% off with code GIVETHANKS

The Vintage Rug Shop: 20% off with code SOTHANKFUL

Walmart: Deals for Days event

Wayfair:  Up to 80% off + free shipping

West Elm: Up to 70% off in-stock, ready to ship items + free shipping on 1000s of items

William-Sonoma: Up to 50% off

William-Sonoma Home: Up to 50% off

World Market: Black Friday Deals!

 

Apparel

Abercrombie & Fitch: 30% off everything

Athleta: 30% off sweatshirts, joggers & women’s sleep + 20% off everything else.

AYR: 40% off final sale applied at checkout (A current favorite of Katie’s!)

Boden: Up to 40% off + an extra 10% with code E7T8

Banana Republic: 50% off

Everlane: Denim Deals! Seven of their best-selling jeans are 25% off.

Gap: Up to 60% off everything + free shipping

J. Crew: Special Cyber Monday Deals starting at $14.50

Jenni Kayne: 25% off everything + a free candle for every purchase over $300

Loft: Free shipping + Up to 6% off everything.

Madewell: 30% off purchase + 40% off sale items

Nordstrom: Up to 50% off select styles through 11/30

ProperTee: 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY20 + free shipping on domestic orders over $100.

Sheertex: Save 50-60% on Cyber Monday Deals!

Shop the Post


Artifact Uprising

Pretty Domesticated

Serena & Lily

Serena & Lily

Serena & Lily

Serena & Lily

Serena & Lily

Serena & Lily

Pottery Barn Kids

Shoppe Amber Interiors

Shoppe Amber Interiors

Shoppe Amber Interiors

Schoolhouse

Serena & Lily

McGee & Co

Pottery Barn

McGee & Co

McGee & Co

McGee & Co
Gift Guides

2021 Holiday Gift Guide: For Kids

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my disclosure policy.

 

Fun presents for kids.

We read reviews, scrolled our favorite websites and peaked in our own kids rooms to find you the best 2021 gifts for toddlers & kids this holiday season. No matter who you are buying for, there’s bound to be plenty a great options for gifts. To narrow down your search, we’ve compiled a list of our top 17 gifts for kids. These are the gifts they’ll play with over and over again. Keep reading to shop our picks. You can find all the products we recommend for kids here.

If you haven’t already, check out our holiday guide to the best activity sets for kids too. While toys are fun, activities that strengthen our kids’ mind and heart are even better. We compiled a list of the best crafts, learning games and more! Consider it your non-toy gift guide.

View All Our 2021 Holiday Gift Guides

 


Gift Guides

2021 Holiday Gift Guide: Activity Sets For Kids

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my disclosure policy.

Activity Sets For Kids

 

Non-toy gifts for kids.

We read reviews, scrolled our favorite websites and peaked in our own craft closet to find you the best activity sets for toddlers & kids this holiday season. While toys are fun, activities that strengthen our kids’ mind and heart are even better. We compiled a list of the best 8 crafts, games and mind-enriching gifts for kids! Consider this your non-toy gift guide.

These non-toy gifts are just as fun as real toys, but but with the additional benefit that these gifts have a purpose. Activity sets are a great gift idea for kids and are a wonderful way for parents to support that their kids love, whether that be baking, writing, drawing or learning new skills. Keep reading to shop our picks. You can find all the products we recommend for kids here.

If you haven’t already, check out gift guide with 17 gifts your kid will play with again and again for more great holiday gifts.

View All Our 2021 Holiday Gift Guides

 


Desserts

Chocolate Coffee Cake with Mascarpone Frosting

This post may contain affiliate links, please read my disclosure policy.

Holiday Cake Recipe – Chocolate Coffee Cake with Whipped Mascarpone Frosting for Christmas

Enjoy the flavors of the season with chocolate Christmas cake – a fun and festive holiday dessert. This is a recipe that’s perfect for winter. Chocolate coffee cake with unique whipped Mascarpone frosting will be the hit of your Christmas get together! Dreamy and full of holiday flavor, don’t skip this recipe!

Chocolate Coffee Cake with Whipped Mascarpone Frosting & sugared cranberries

Why should you make a chocolate coffee cake this holiday?

When the holiday’s roll around I survive on two things to get me through decking the halls, wrapping gifts and hosting my family, and that’s coffee and sugar. But I’m a mom and that means I’m all about efficiency. Enter my holiday cake, where I’ve combined my two great loves (other than my family, of course) –  chocolate and coffee.

This chocolate coffee cake recipe is sure to impress your guests. One, everyone makes holiday cookies, but does everyone make a holiday cake? I think not. Two, it sounds fancy. Throw in words like mascarpone frosting, espresso and naked cake, and people might even think you went to culinary school, when really, you’re whipping up a pretty basic chocolate cake. You may even impress your mother-in-law, but let’s not get carried away. I’m not a miracle worker, I just know a good cake when I taste one.

Katie of Pretty Domesticated & daughter with chocolate cake.

How to Make Chocolate Coffee Cake

While this chocolate cake looks fancy, you’ll love how easy this holiday cake is to make. When making the cake layers follow these tips to ensure your cakes rise and bake well:

  • Preheat your oven for 30 minutes prior to baking.
  • Use quality pans like Fat Daddio, which are designed to heats evenly with no hot spots.
  • Spray your pans with nonstick spray and line with parchment paper.
  • Use room temperature wet ingredients (Other than coffee).
  • Use hot coffee.
  • Use fresh baking soda and powder no more than 6 months old.
  • Don’t over bake your cake layers. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out with a few moist crumbs on it.

Why I Always Put Coffee in Chocolate Cake

I love a chocolate cake recipe with coffee. While I love the taste of a strong cup of coffee, adding coffee to chocolate cake won’t make your cake taste like espresso. Rather adding coffee to chocolate cake simply enhances and deepens the chocolate taste in the cake. If you use coffee in a chocolate cake recipe you’ll get a more chocolaty cake! This Christmas cake will be hit with chocolate lovers, regardless of if they love coffee!

With that said, if you’re strongly opposed to using coffee, you can swap it out for water.

 

Young girl with cakes.

Katie of Pretty Domesticated & daughter enjoying hot chocolate and Christmas cake.
This recipe originally appeared in this month’s (December 2018) issue of Midwest Nest with in-progress pictures taken by the talented Micah Zimmerman. You can read the article online here. All images in this post are my own.

The Best Whipped Mascarpone Frosting

The idea of a whipped frosting sounded perfect for this rich, flavorful chocolate holiday cake, but I wanted to do something a little more unique so it felt as special as the holiday season. I thought about using cream cheese, but settled on using mascarpone cheese for the frosting. 

Mascarpone is an Italian cream cheese that is rich and creamy, without the sour taste of American cream cheese. Mascarpone also has a higher fat content than cream cheese, which makes its a great way to stabilize a whipped frosting. The combination of heavy whipping cream with Mascarpone cheese creates a fluffy & airy frosting that actually holds its shape.

Mascarpone has a slight tartness to it that I think pairs beautifully with the richness of this chocolate holiday cake.

How to make the best whipped mascarpone frosting:

  • Sift your confectioners’ sugar.
  • Use slightly cold mascarpone cheese.
  • Use heavy whipping cream.
  • Beat for 5 minutes.
  • Stir by hand before using.

Chocolate Coffee Cake with Mascarpone frosting in Pretty Domesticated Kitchen
Click here for our full 2018 holiday home tour.

How To Assemble & Frost Your Holiday Cake

These pictures are from when I first made this chocolate coffee cake in 2018. While my decorating certainly isn’t bad here, my cake decorating skills have come a long way since then, particularly when it comes to leveling and frosting a cake. 

I now use the following tools when decorating a cake (You can do it with just a knife and plate like I did here too. It will still taste just as delicious!):

A quick note about frosting this chocolate coffee cake  –  make sure to chill the cake in the freezer for at least 15 minutes after you’ve stacked the layers and before you frost the outside of the cake. This helps crumbs stay in place, so that when you go to frost the cake in a naked style, you don’t have crumbs in your way!

If you want your cake to be completely covered in frosting, I recommend you double the mascarpone frosting recipe. Personally, with the slight tartness mascarpone brings to the frosting, I love the balance of a partially frosted cake with the richness of the chocolate cake.

Young girl enjoying hot cocoa.

Chocolate Coffee Cake with Whipped Mascarpone Frosting

Decorating Your Chocolate Holiday Cake

Sugared cranberries and rosemary sprigs scream Christmas cake to me and are one of my favorite ways to decorate a holiday cake. To decorate my chocolate coffee cake, I piled my sugar cranberries on top of the mascarpone frosting in a moon shape for an asymmetrical look. 

Here our some other decorating suggestions:

  • Orange slices with rosemary 
  • Raspberries and rosemary
  • Hershey’s Toffee Bits
  • Candy canes or peppermint bark
  • Strawberries with crushed Graham Crackers (A great option if you make this cake outside of the holiday season.)

Pair Your Chocolate Holiday Cake with Hot Cocoa & Homemade Whip Cream

A chocolate cake recipe with coffee and hot cocoa are a match made in holiday heaven. I like to dress up store bought cocoa with a drop of peppermint oil and some homemade whip cream.

To make whip cream, use an electric mixer to beat 1 c. heavy cream, 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract and 2 tbs. granulated sugar until fluffy. 

Hot Cocoa Bar

Katie of Pretty Domesticated & daughter enjoying hot cocoa with chocolate dessert,.

Did you use our Chocolate Coffee Cake with Whipped Mascarpone Frosting recipe ? Rate the recipe in the comments, then follow me @prettydomesticated and share your cake with me using the hashtag #prettydomesticated!

Please feel free to pin and share our holiday cake recipe. For even more great stuff follow us on Pinterest!

Other Holiday Posts You’ll Love

2018 Holiday Home Tour + Video
How To Keep Garland Fresh All Season Long
The Five Best Christmas Pins

 

Christmas Cake: Chocolate Coffee Cake with Whipped Mascarpone Frosting

Chocolate Coffee Cake with Mascarpone Frosting

5 from 13 votes
Serves | 20 people
Enjoy the flavors of the season with this chocolate holiday cake – a fun and festive dessert made with coffee for a rich chocolaty flavor. Chocolate coffee cake with unique whipped Mascarpone frosting will be the hit of your Christmas get together!
Prep2 hrs
Cook35 mins
Inactive30 mins
Total 3 hrs 5 mins

Ingredients
  

Chocolate Coffee Cake
  • 3 c. all-purpose flour
  • 3 c. granulated sugar
  • 1 ½ c. unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tbs. baking soda
  • 1 ¾ tsp. baking powder
  • 1 ½ tsp. kosher salt
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 ½ c. buttermilk
  • ½ c. canola oil
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ c. hot coffee
Whipped Mascarpone Frosting
  • 2 c. heavy cream cold
  • 2 c. confectioners’ sugar sifted
  • 2 tsp. vanilla extract
  • Pinch of kosher salt
  • 16 oz. mascarpone cheese chilled (two 8 oz. containers)
Sugared Cranberries
  • ½ c. water
  • ¾ c. granulated sugar divided
  • 1 c. cranberries

Instructions
 

To make the cake
  • Preheat the oven to 350°. Grease and line the bottom of three 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
  • In a stand mixer with paddle attachment, mix together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt on a low speed until well combined.
  • Add eggs, buttermilk, canola oil, vanilla and hot coffee, and beat on a medium speed until smooth.
  • Divide batter evenly among the three pans.
  • Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Let cool in pans for 15 minutes, and then turn cakes upside down onto a cooling rack.
To make the frosting
  • In a large bowl, combine heavy cream, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract and salt.
  • Beat with an electric mixer on high speed until the cream holds a soft peak. (About 5 minutes)
  • Add the slightly chilled mascarpone cheese and whip until blended.
  • Stir by hand to remove air bubbles before frosting cake.
To make the cranberries
  • In a small pot, whisk water and ½ c. of sugar to combine. Bring to a simmer and whisk until sugar is dissolved.
  • Remove from heat and stir in cranberries until they are well coated.
  • Using a slotted spoon, transfer cranberries to a baking sheet and let dry for at least 1 hour.
  • Roll cranberries in remaining sugar until well coated. Let dry for a least 1 hour.
Assembly
  • Place the first cake layer, top side up, in the center of a cake board or cake stand. 
  • Add about 3/4 to 1 cup of frosting. Spread over the cake layer as evenly as possible. Make sure to get eye level with the cake to ensure the frosting is spread evenly over the cake.
  • Repeat first two steps until you get to the final cake layer, which you will lay top side down.
  • Chill the cake for 15 minutes before applying any crumb coat. (This helps to keep the crumbs locked to the cake if you're doing a semi-naked cake and won't be doing a final coat of frosting).
  • Once the cake is chilled, frost the cake with the whipped frosting to create a semi-naked cake layer. This recipe doesn't make enough frosting to completely cover the cake. Double the frosting recipe if you want to get more coverage with your frosting.
  • Decorate with cranberries as desired.
  • Add in a few sprigs of rosemary for some extra seasonal cheer.

Notes

Makes 1 3-layer 8-inch cake or 1 4-Layer 6-inch cake.
Next time I make this cake, I'm going to add cranberry puree between the cake layers for a truly holiday inspired chocolate cake.
Substitutions
  • Add strawberries and crushed graham crackers to the top, for a year-round cake. The flavors of this cake work outside of Christmas too!
  • You can use hot water instead of coffee for more subtle flavor. The coffee brings out the chocolate taste.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g, Calories: 610kcal (31%), Carbohydrates: 109g (36%), Protein: 11g (22%), Fat: 29g (45%), Saturated Fat: 14g (88%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 90mg (30%), Sodium: 412mg (18%), Potassium: 383mg (11%), Fiber: 7g (29%), Sugar: 46g (51%), Vitamin A: 749IU (15%), Vitamin C: 2mg (2%), Calcium: 128mg (13%), Iron: 4mg (22%)
Course | Dessert
Cuisine | American
Did You Make This?I'd love to see it! Follow @PrettyDomesticated on Instagram, take a photo and tag it with #prettydomesticated.
© Pretty Domesticated

Shop the Post


William Sonoma

Amazon

Amazon

Amazon

Cake by Courtney

Cake by Courtney

Cake by Courtney

Cake by Courtney

Cake by Courtney
share your moments
#prettydomesticated
follow along
@prettydomesticated