Oh, chocolate. Is there anything better? I swear, just the thought of it makes my whole day brighter! If you’re anything like me, you live for that deep, rich, decadent flavor that only a truly spectacular chocolate cake can deliver. And let me tell you, the Nestle Toll House Death by Chocolate Cake is exactly that – pure, unadulterated chocolate bliss. I remember making a version of this years ago, and it was an instant hit. It’s the kind of cake that disappears way too fast, leaving everyone begging for more!
Why You’ll Love This Nestle Toll House Death by Chocolate Cake
Seriously, this cake is a winner for so many reasons! Here’s why you’ll be making it again and again:
- Super Easy: It starts with a cake mix, so you know it’s going to be a breeze!
- Seriously Chocolatey: We’re talking layers of intense chocolate flavor that will make any chocoholic swoon.
- Crowd Pleaser: Bring this to any gathering, and watch it disappear in minutes. It’s a guaranteed hit!
- Quick Fix: Ready in under an hour (plus cooling time), it’s perfect for when that chocolate craving strikes hard.
Gather Your Ingredients for Nestle Toll House Death by Chocolate Cake
Alright, let’s get our chocolate masterpieces ready! For this ridiculously delicious Nestle Toll House Death by Chocolate Cake, you’ll want to grab these goodies:
- 1 box (about 15.25 oz) of your favorite chocolate cake mix – the darker the better, I always say!
- 1 cup of classic Nestle Toll House semi-sweet chocolate chips. Yes, the whole cup goes in the batter for extra gooeyness!
- 1/2 cup of vegetable oil. This keeps the cake nice and moist!
- 2 large eggs. Make sure they’re room temperature if you can, it helps everything blend better.
- 1 cup of water. Pretty straightforward, right?
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to really boost that chocolate flavor.
- 1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder. This is where the deep, dark chocolate essence comes from.
- For the dreamy frosting: 1 cup of powdered sugar. Sift it if you’re feeling fancy!
- 1/4 cup of butter, make sure it’s softened. We need it spreadable!
- 1/4 cup of milk. Any kind works here.
- And here’s my little secret kick: 1 teaspoon of instant coffee granules. Trust me, you won’t taste coffee, but it makes the chocolate sing! (Totally optional, though!)
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Nestle Toll House Death by Chocolate Cake
Okay, so you’ve got your ingredients laid out – that’s the first win! Now comes the fun part: turning all that chocolatey goodness into a cake that’s going to make your taste buds sing. Don’t worry, even if you’re not a pro baker, this is totally doable. We’ll go step-by-step, just like making some awesome homemade chocolate waffles!
Preparing the Cake Batter
First things first, let’s get that oven preheated to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and give your 9×13 inch baking pan a good grease and flour so nothing sticks. Now, in a big bowl, dump in your chocolate cake mix, those lovely Nestle Toll House chocolate chips, the oil, eggs, water, vanilla, and that essential cocoa powder. Grab your mixer – or a sturdy whisk and some elbow grease! – and beat it all together on medium speed for about 2 minutes. You want it smooth and well combined, like magic happening right before your eyes.
Baking Your Nestle Toll House Death by Chocolate Cake
Pour that glorious batter into your prepared pan, spreading it out evenly so it bakes up nice and pretty. Pop it into your preheated oven. You’ll want to bake it for about 30 to 35 minutes. The best way to know it’s ready? Stick a wooden skewer or toothpick right into the center. If it comes out clean, or with just a few moist crumbs attached (not wet batter!), you’re golden. Patience is key here though – don’t open that oven door too early!
Crafting the Perfect Frosting
While your amazing cake is doing its thing in the oven, it’s frosting time! Grab a medium bowl. Cream together the powdered sugar, that softened butter, the milk, and if you’re using it, the secret weapon – the instant coffee granules. Mix it all up until it’s super smooth and wonderfully creamy. You want it spreadable but not runny. If it seems a bit too thick, just add another tiny splash of milk. If it’s too thin, a little more powdered sugar will do the trick.
Assembling and Frosting Your Masterpiece
Once your cake is out of the oven, let it cool down in the pan for about 10 minutes. It needs a little time to set up before you try to move it. Then, carefully flip it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. This is super important – if you frost a warm cake, you’ll have a melty mess! Once it’s totally cool, spread that dreamy chocolate frosting all over the top. Make sure to get it edge to edge for maximum deliciousness!
Tips for the Ultimate Nestle Toll House Death by Chocolate Cake
Okay, so we’ve built this amazing chocolate cake, but let’s just make sure it’s *truly* spectacular. You want that “wow” factor, right? I’ve learned a few little tricks over the years that really elevate this cake from simply good to absolutely unforgettable. First off, don’t skimp on the quality of your chocolate chips and cocoa powder if you can help it – it really does make a difference in that rich, deep flavor. And remember that mixing tip in the instructions? Don’t overmix after adding the dry ingredients. Just combine them, seriously! Overmixing can make your cake tough, and nobody wants a tough chocolate cake. I’ve seen it happen with my banana bread and even with my super easy blender cake, so it’s a good rule of thumb for most baking! Also, let that cake cool *completely* before frosting. I know, I know, waiting is the hardest part, but trust me, a warm cake will just melt your frosting into a sad puddle. Think of it as a moment to savor the anticipation!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Sometimes you might be missing one little thing, or maybe you just want to tweak things a bit! Don’t stress. For the vegetable oil, you can totally swap it for melted butter if you prefer that richer flavor, or even a neutral oil like canola. If you don’t have milk for the frosting, a little bit of heavy cream or even half-and-half will work wonders to get it nice and smooth. And for that cocoa powder? While unsweetened is best for that deep chocolate flavor, in a pinch, you *could* use Dutch-processed cocoa, but be aware it might change the color and richness slightly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Death by Chocolate Cake
Got questions about this decadent Nestlé favorite? I’ve got answers!
Can I make this Death by Chocolate Cake ahead of time?
Absolutely! This is one of those cakes that’s actually *better* made a day in advance. The flavors really have a chance to meld and deepen overnight. Just bake it, let it cool completely, frost it, and store it in an airtight container at room temperature. Easy peasy!
What kind of chocolate chips are best for this cake?
For this Nestlé Toll House Death by Chocolate Cake, I love using their classic semi-sweet chips. They give you that perfect balance of sweet and chocolatey. You could totally go for dark chocolate chips for a more intense flavor, or even milk chocolate if you prefer things a little sweeter!
How should I store any leftover cake?
If, by some miracle, you have leftovers, just pop your frosted cake into an airtight container or wrap it well in plastic wrap. It should stay delicious at room temperature for about 2-3 days. If it’s super hot out, you might want to pop it in the fridge, but honestly, I find it’s best at room temp so the frosting doesn’t get too hard.
Nutritional Information (Estimate)
Just a heads-up, this is an estimate for one slice of your amazing Nestle Toll House Death by Chocolate Cake. Depending on the brands you use and how big you slice it, the numbers can vary a bit, but this should give you a good idea!
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: ~350
- Sugar: ~45g
- Sodium: ~250mg
- Fat: ~18g
- Saturated Fat: ~7g
- Carbohydrates: ~50g
- Protein: ~4g
Nestle Toll House Death by Chocolate Cake
- Total Time: 50 min
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A rich and decadent chocolate cake made with Nestle Toll House chocolate chips.
Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 oz) chocolate cake mix
- 1 cup Nestle Toll House semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, chocolate chips, oil, eggs, water, vanilla extract, and cocoa powder. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes, or until well combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- While the cake is baking, prepare the frosting. In a medium bowl, cream together the powdered sugar, softened butter, milk, and instant coffee granules (if using) until smooth and creamy.
- Once the cake is baked, let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cake.
Notes
- For an extra chocolatey flavor, you can add an extra 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to the batter.
- If you don’t have instant coffee granules, you can omit them or dissolve 1 teaspoon of espresso powder in 1 tablespoon of hot water.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 35 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 45g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: chocolate cake, death by chocolate, nestle toll house, chocolate chips, dessert, easy cake