If you have a craving for a dessert that is decadently rich yet perfectly tender, this Chocolate Pound Cake Recipe will quickly become your new favorite. It’s a luscious, moist cake that blends deep cocoa flavor with a velvety chocolate glaze, creating an irresistible treat that feels both timeless and indulgent. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just because life needs a little sweetness, this recipe brings together simple ingredients in a way that delivers maximum taste and a beautiful, classic crumb texture.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A dark brown chocolate loaf cake with a cracked top surface, showing a rich and slightly rough texture, is inside a gold-colored rectangular baking tin lined with white parchment paper. A woman's hand holding a light beige cloth grips the tin gently at the bottom side. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Every ingredient in this Chocolate Pound Cake Recipe plays a vital role, contributing to the rich flavor, smooth texture, or stunning color. These essentials are straightforward, easily found, and come together beautifully to create a cake that feels homey but special.

Flour (1 cup/120g): Forms the sturdy base that gives the cake its classic pound cake structure.
Cocoa powder (¾ cup/75g): Adds deep chocolate flavor and rich color, sifted to avoid lumps.
Salt (1 tsp): Enhances and balances the sweetness and chocolate intensity.
Baking powder (1 tsp): Gives the cake the perfect lift without making it too airy.
Baking soda (½ tsp): Works with the acidic buttermilk to tenderize the crumb and create slight rise.
Sugar (1 cup/200g): Sweetens and tenderizes, helping the cake stay moist.
Butter, room temperature (1 cup/220g): Adds richness and a silky texture to the batter.
Eggs (4): Bind ingredients together and contribute to the cake’s structure and moistness.
Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Enhances the chocolate flavor with warm, aromatic notes.
Buttermilk (⅓ cup/85ml): Adds acidity for balance and keeps the cake tender and moist.
Instant coffee powder (1 tbsp): Intensifies the chocolate notes without adding a coffee taste.
Dark chocolate, chopped (6 oz/175g): The star of the glaze, providing a glossy, decadent finish.
Cream (½ cup/125g): Heated to create a smooth chocolate ganache to glaze the cake.

How to Make Chocolate Pound Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven

Start by generously greasing a 9×5 inch (22×12 cm) loaf pan and lining it with parchment paper. This extra step ensures your cake won’t stick and helps you lift it out easily later. Preheat your oven to 340°F (170°C) so it’s perfectly hot by the time the batter is ready.

Step 2: Beat Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy

Using softened butter, beat it together with sugar until the mixture becomes light, pale, and fluffy—this usually takes around 3 to 4 minutes. This step is key because it incorporates air, which helps the cake rise and gives it a tender crumb.

Step 3: Add Eggs One at a Time

Crack in your eggs one by one, making sure to beat well after each addition. This slow incorporation maintains your batter’s fluffiness and helps create a smooth, homogeneous texture.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients

Whisk together the sifted flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Sifting the cocoa powder is especially important to avoid any unpleasant clumps in your batter.

Step 5: Combine Buttermilk and Coffee Powder

In a small bowl, stir the instant coffee powder into the buttermilk until completely dissolved. This magical mixture subtly enhances the chocolate flavor without making the cake taste like coffee.

Step 6: Alternate Dry and Wet Ingredients

Add the dry ingredients and the buttermilk alternately into the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix just until everything is combined to avoid overworking the batter, which can make the cake dense.

Step 7: Bake Your Cake

Pour your batter into the prepared pan, spreading it evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 60 to 75 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with only a few moist crumbs.

Step 8: Cool Before Glazing

Once baked, allow the cake to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Then, carefully turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Patience here pays off — glazing too warm a cake will cause your chocolate to melt unevenly.

Step 9: Make the Glossy Chocolate Glaze

Heat the cream until it just starts to simmer, then pour it over the chopped dark chocolate. Let it sit for 2 minutes before stirring until the mixture turns smooth and glossy, creating a rich ganache that’s perfect for draping over the cake.

Step 10: Glaze the Cake

Pour the warm ganache over the completely cooled cake, letting it drip naturally down the sides. This final touch adds an irresistible sheen and an extra layer of chocolate indulgence.

How to Serve Chocolate Pound Cake Recipe

A rectangular chocolate cake covered in a thick, shiny, dark chocolate glaze that smooths over the top and drips slightly down the sides creating soft waves and ridges. The cake appears moist with a rich chocolate color visible underneath the glaze at the bottom edges. It sits on a cooling rack placed on a white marbled surface with a blurred background showing a checkered cloth pattern. The image shows one layer of cake fully covered in the glossy glaze, photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

For a simple yet elegant finish, sprinkle the top with some flaky sea salt, a dusting of powdered sugar, or even a handful of fresh berries. These not only add pops of color but also create delightful contrasts in flavor and texture.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs beautifully with creamy accompaniments like whipped cream, a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, or a drizzle of raspberry sauce. These sides help balance the richness with light and fresh notes.

Creative Ways to Present

Slice the pound cake and serve it alongside espresso or a cup of your favorite tea to turn a simple snack into an elegant afternoon treat. For more festive occasions, add a dollop of mascarpone or mascarpone-based frosting and some chocolate shavings to really wow your guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Wrap any leftover chocolate pound cake tightly in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature. It will keep fresh and moist for about 3 days, making it perfect for quick desserts or snacks during the week.

Freezing

If you want to save the cake for longer, freezing is a great option. Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil or place in a heavy-duty freezer bag. It will stay delicious for up to 3 months — just thaw overnight in the fridge before glazing or serving.

Reheating

To enjoy your chocolate pound cake warm, gently reheat slices in the microwave for 15–20 seconds or warm the whole cake in a low oven for 10 minutes wrapped in foil. This brings back the fresh-baked feeling and softens the ganache delightfully.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Regular milk can be substituted by adding a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to a cup of milk to mimic buttermilk’s acidity. This acidity is crucial for tenderizing the crumb and balancing flavors in the Chocolate Pound Cake Recipe.

Is it necessary to add coffee powder?

While the instant coffee powder enhances the chocolate flavor, you can omit it if you prefer. It will still be a delicious cake, just slightly less intense in its chocolate depth.

Can I make this cake gluten-free?

Yes, you can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend that includes xanthan gum to replicate the structure of wheat flour. Keep in mind texture might vary slightly but the taste remains wonderful.

How long should I beat the butter and sugar?

Beating for 3 to 4 minutes until light and fluffy is essential as it incorporates air that helps the cake rise and develop a tender crumb. Don’t rush this step!

Can I make the chocolate glaze ahead of time?

You can prepare the glaze a day ahead and keep it refrigerated. Warm it gently before pouring over the cake to restore its smooth, pourable consistency.

Final Thoughts

This Chocolate Pound Cake Recipe is truly a showstopper that balances simplicity with indulgence. It’s the kind of cake that feels like a warm hug, perfect for sharing with family, friends, or savoring on your own. Once you try it, you’ll understand why it’s a beloved classic with a bit of chocolate magic. So grab your ingredients and get ready to bake a slice of happiness that’s utterly irresistible.