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4.7 from 408 votes

Chocolate Little Layer Cake

This southern heritage Chocolate Little Layer Cake consists of tiny layers baked individually and topped with boiled chocolate icing.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 20 mins
Total Time
1 hr 50 mins
Servings: 24 servings
Calories: 366 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • Solid shortening for greasing pans
For the icing:
  • 3 cups sugar
  • 3 ½ ounces unsweetened baking chocolate see notes
  • 10 ounces evaporated milk
  • ½ cup butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the layers:
  • 1 cup butter
  • 1 ½ cups sugar
  • 6 eggs
  • 3 ½ cups self-rising flour sifted
  • 1 ¾ cups water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Have all ingredients at room temperature. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease 8” cake pans with shortening and set aside.
  2. Make the icing first. Place a large, heavy-bottomed pan over medium-low heat.
  3. Add the sugar, baking chocolate, evaporated milk, butter, and vanilla all at once. Cook until the sugar is completely dissolved, stirring frequently. Do not boil. It is important to make sure that the sugar is completely dissolved and no grainy texture remains.
  4. Meanwhile, make the batter. Cream together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs all at once and beat until well incorporated. Add the flour and water alternately, beginning and ending with flour. (Note: the batter will appear to be curdled after each addition of water – this is normal.) Mix in the vanilla.
  5. Pour approximately 3/4 cup batter into each prepared pan. Smooth the batter to the edges.
  6. Bake for approximately 10 minutes or until layers are barely golden on top. Remove from oven and turn out onto cooling racks.
  7. Clean the pans, grease them and repeat baking.
  8. When second set of layers goes into the oven, begin icing the cake.
  9. Place a still-warm layer on a cardboard round set atop a cooling rack inside a baking sheet. Spread 1/4 cup icing on the layer spreading it gently to the edges. Top with the next layer and repeat.
  10. When all layers have been stacked and iced, spread remaining icing over top and sides of the cake. If the icing becomes thick, return the pan to very low heat until it returns to spreading consistency.
  11. Smooth the icing around the sides of the cake, but realize that the contours are supposed to be visible on the outside of the cake.

Notes

  • I strongly urge you to read through the entire post before attempting this recipe. There are numerous tips included in the text that come from years of experience with this vintage recipe.
  • The specific type of chocolate traditionally used for this recipe is Baker's Premium Unsweetened Baking Chocolate. This chocolate produces the distinctive look, texture, and taste of this recipe.
  • Store your cake in a covered container at room temperature for three or four days.
  • To freeze, wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Place the wrapped cake in a freezer container and freeze for up to three months. Allow the frozen cake to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 Calories 366kcal (18%) Carbohydrates 53g (18%) Protein 5g (10%) Fat 16g (25%) Saturated Fat 10g (50%) Cholesterol 75mg (25%) Sodium 132mg (6%) Potassium 106mg (3%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 39g (78%) Vitamin A 442IU (9%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 48mg (5%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 24servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 366

% Daily Value*

Serving 1
Calories 366kcal 18%
Carbohydrates 53g 18%
Protein 5g 10%
Fat 16g 25%
Saturated Fat 10g 50%
Cholesterol 75mg 25%
Sodium 132mg 6%
Potassium 106mg 2%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 39g 78%
Vitamin A 442IU 9%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 48mg 5%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.