Chocolate Cake for Two
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Let’s have Chocolate Cake for Two! These adorable little cakes might be small in size, but they are big on flavor. They boast a deep dark chocolate flavor with a chocolate peanut butter frosting and are perfect for date night! Best enjoyed warm from the oven!
Craving chocolate? Who isn’t! Try my Triple Chocolate Brownies or the best Chocolate Banana Zucchini Bread!
Dessert for Two
Name a better dessert than chocolate cake. I dare ya! I know – when it comes to chocolate, it’s just plain hard to resist.
THIS recipe is great, because it’s fulfilling that chocolate craving while maintaining portion control. Win/win in my book. While I love making a big batch of Chocolate Sheet Cake Brownies for a party or some Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls to keep in the freezer, I also occasionally want something quaint.
This recipe was inspired while preparing for Valentine’s Day, which we all know is known for sweets. Also, it’s my personal celebration of the empty nest! While we miss and love our boys, we’re happy that they are settled in their new homes. Watch out world!
I know there are more of you out there that just want dessert for two. Something to satisfy that chocolate craving without having 20 extra servings on the counter tempting us every day. THESE? Just bake, eat, and boom. Nothing left! Craving satisfied!
Ingredient Notes
- Dutch-process cocoa powder – is natural cocoa treated with an alkalizing agent to lessen its acidity. This process makes “Dutched” cocoa smoother tasting and darker in color. But never fear, unsweetened cocoa powder works in this recipe as well.
- Canola Oil – I like using oil in most of my chocolate cake/cupcake recipes because it keeps them moist. Butter is also ok, but canola oil (or another neutral oil) is my preference!
- Egg Yolk – I used one egg yolk since this is a super small recipe. A yolk helps with structure.
Note on Dutch chocolate vs. unsweetened chocolate: When choosing between which type to use in recipes, choose one that complement the ingredients – specifically the chemical leavener, the baking soda or baking powder.
When using natural unsweetened cocoa, use baking soda. When using Dutch-process cocoa, use predominantly baking powder (baking soda may be added alongside it, as well).
How to make Chocolate Cake for Two
Step 1
Combine dry ingredients. In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, kosher salt, and dutch-process cocoa powder (or natural cocoa powder). Stir to combine.
Step 2
Combine wet ingredients. In a small measuring cup, combine the egg yolk, milk, canola oil, and vanilla. Whisk to combine.
Step 3
Add wet to dry. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix. The batter will be thick. Add two tablespoons of strong coffee (or water) to measuring cup and microwave until hot. Pour the coffee into the bowl and mix again. Don’t over-stir. The batter should be thin now.
Step 4
Bake. Spoon the batter evenly into two greased ramekins (linked below). Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven until just done, approximately 18-19 minutes. (I like to slightly under-bake these for a gooey center.)
Step 5
Make frosting. Add the peanut butter and coffee (or you can use water or milk in place of the coffee) to a bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. Stir until creamy. Pour into the dry ingredients (powdered sugar and cocoa powder) and stir to combine. Add additional liquid if needed for frosting to be pourable (but still thick).
Step 6
Drizzle frosting on cake. Drizzle the frosting on the warm cake, dividing it evenly between both ramekins. Top with sprinkles!
Step 7
EAT. Enjoy the warm cake with a friend – either plain or with ice cream.
I highly recommend my homemade vanilla bean ice cream, if you’re into making your own. Some creamy peanut butter ice cream would be delicious too!
Recipe FAQs
You can use either type of cocoa powder in this recipe.
You can skip the peanut butter if you prefer. It’s really delicious in this frosting, however.
These chocolate cakes are done when a toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center. (I like to underbake these just slightly.)
We like these warm, but they can be made in advance and warmed up in the microwave.
Date Night Dinner Ideas
If you’re planning a date night, you’re gonna need some dinner ideas too, right? I’ve got a few ideas for you!
- Creamy Shrimp Risotto with Bacon
- Butternut Squash Lasagna with Spinach
- Baked Asian Salmon in Foil
- Creamy Tomato Bisque
Other Date Night Desserts
Gotta have chocolate, right? The following are some of my favorite date night desserts for you to try next! However, you’ll definitely have leftovers. 🙂
- Mini Chocolate Bundt Cakes with Caramel Frosting
- Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Skillet Cookie
- French Silk Pie with Graham Cracker Crust
- Easy Oreo Ice Cream Pie
It’s time to start planning our Valentine and Galentine events, you’ll need some lovely recipes to serve! Check out these delightful Valentine Sweets and Cocktails, all part of the #ValentineSweets blogging event hosted by Michaela from An Affair from the Heart:
- An Affair from the Heart – Valentine Oreo Bark
- Fresh April Flours – Red Velvet Bundt Cake
- Hostess At Heart – Easy Valentine’s Day Fudge Recipe
- Lemon Blossoms – Pink Champagne Cake
- Family Around the Table – Chocolate Peanut Butter Bundt Cake with Peanut Butter Glaze
- A Day in the Life on the Farm – Chocolate Cheesecake
- Daily Dish Recipes – Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes
- The Fresh Cooky – Red Velvet Donuts
- Devour Dinner – Dessert Charcuterie Board
- Jolene’s Recipe Journal – Copycat Flaky Puffs
- Art of Natural Living – Bailey’s Chocolate Martini
- Jen around the world – Strawberry Mojito Mocktail
- Kathryn’s Kitchen Blog – Sugar Cookie Bars
- Soulfully Made – Easy Red Velvet Brownies
- The Redhead Baker – Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Layer Cake
- Magical Ingredients – Soft White Chocolate Strawberry Fudge
- Take Two Tapas – Valentine’s Pretzel Hugs
- SueBee Homemaker – Chocolate Cake for Two
- Palatable Pastime – Strawberry White Hot Chocolate
- The Spiffy Cookie – Red Velvet Molten Lava Cakes
- Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks – Pomegranate Moscow Mule
- Books n’ Cooks – French Martini
- Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice – Nutty M&M Peanut Butter Cup Valentine Cookies
Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)
xoxo ~Sue
Mini Lava Cakes
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate
- 2 large eggs
- 2 large egg yolks
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
- 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
- vanilla ice cream and magic shell – to serve
Instructions
- Prep for baking. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Grease your ramekins with butter. Be sure to spread butter into the corner of the ramekins to ensure a clean removal.
- Melt chocolate and butter. Using a double boiler, melt the chocolate and butter over low heat, stirring frequently.
- Prep remaining ingredients. In a small bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, and salt together until pale.
- Add in chocolate and flour. Use a spatula to gently fold in the melted chocolate and flour. Make sure the flour is fully absorbed in order to avoid clumping.
- Bake. Pour batter evenly into prepared ramekins. Bake for about 11 minutes or until your liking.
- Rest Cakes. Rest cakes for just a minute. Then carefully remove cakes from ramekins by shaking them upside down onto serving plates. Use a towel to handle ramekins as they will still be hot!
- Serve. Add a scoop of my Homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream to each cake, cover with a chocolate shell, and enjoy!
This was just the right amount of delicious cake! Although I ate the whole thing myself and Brooks just looked at me… That’s why he’s my valentine:)
Oh this makes me smile, Jennifer! Good move! Happy Valentine’s Day!
We are staying in and I will be making this for my sweetie!
I just love chocolate and making this one was so moist and satisfying. It made the perfect treat for my husband and I and I’ll be making it again for Valentines!
I love your portion control philosophy–I am always dividing recipes in half! This looks so tasty and perfect for Valentine’s Day!
This cake is amazing, rich and so decadent. It was easy to make and I love that is a small batch dessert. Great recipe!
Amazing portion controlled dessert! Making for two is a great idea. Love the chocolate cake, the frosting, and the sprinkle! Chocolate lover’s dream!
Perfect recipe for when that chocolate craving strikes! And chocolate peanut butter frosting sounds amazing!
Great idea! I always hate making an entire cake!
I love small batch desserts especially when they contain the superb combination of chocolate and peanut butter. I need portion control!!
This is so perfect for Valentine’s day and I love the idea of making a small batch for my husband and I! We love chocolate cake so I know this will be a new favorite go-to dessert. Thanks for sharing!
Mmmmm, love a simple dessert just for 2. So rich and so so good. This is a keeper!
The perfect lil’ dessert! Just the right dessert to treat yourself and not feel guilty about it!
Oh myyyyy, so decadent and delish! A+ recipe here, Sue!
We never go out for Valentine’s day any more, too much fuss. And now that we are almost empty nesters, I am looking for more and more recipes that make less, but we can still indulge in occasionally. And that peanut butter coffee frosting! TODIEFORE!
I feel like you are speaking RIGHT to ME with this cake recipe, Sue! Chocolate cake with chocolate icing is where it’s at!! These are perfect little bundles- and they will be gracing my table very soon! xo