Sweet Baked Life

If you love chocolate malt shakes, then you’re going to love this Chocolate Malt Layer Cake. It’s rich, thick and reminiscent of that classic shake only it’s reimagined as an incredible baked treat!

The soft sweet layers of dark chocolate cake engulfed with smooth, chocolate malty frosting will have you smacking your lips over and over again! And you too, may instantly become a fan of this cake – just like me! You see, for quite some time, I had been wanting to make a sweet treat that combined chocolate and malt – and that’s where this fabulous Chocolate Malt Layer Cake comes into the picture.

A couple of weeks ago, when I asked my kid what type of cake he wanted for his birthday, he quickly answered that he wanted a Fudge Cake from our local Raley’s grocery store. Can you imagine that, my own kid would rather have store-bought cake over one that I would lovingly make? Go figure!

But the only thing that was on my mind was creating something tempting with malt! I was defiantly on a mission to make a treat with this amazing flavor — I just had to figure out how to accomplish this feat without the “boys” knowing!

Since my son was having a pool party the day after his “real” birthday, I told him that I would be more than happy to make a cake or other treat of his choice for his friends and he could have the store-bought (bite tongue now!) cake when he celebrated with the family.

And I made it clear, that there was no way I was going to buy two cakes (I was already cringing that I had to buy one)! By now, my strong malt vibes were being sent to him telepathically! Malt…chocolate…malt…chocolate…

After a few days, he looked at me with his big brown eyes, and reluctantly opted for me to make something for his “real” birthday and that he wanted his favorite Fudge Cake to celebrate with his friends (much to my chagrin).

Anyway, with my mind filled with visions of malt, it was the perfect time to spring my idea on my picky eater. And to my surprise, he actually agreed to a chocolate layer cake with chocolate malt buttercream frosting. As well, he even asked if we could crush some Whopper’s candy to put on the top! Must have been those strong signals I was sending him!!

It’s funny too, he usually states that my cakes are too sweet, especially the frosting! Yep, you heard me right, my cake sweeter than a store-bought cake? Well, I don’t think so!

This recipe is super easy to make. You start with a standard dark chocolate layer cake. I actually used a boxed cake mix and changed it up by using milk and butter — this really gives the cake a fluffy texture. And the frosting was just as simple. I just added cocoa powder and malted milk powder to my basic buttercream recipe — this literally takes less than 3 minutes to whip up!

And voila, the outcome was an instant chocolate malt shake disguised as a cake! And my son gave it huge praises!

Chocolate Malt Layer Cake

Cake:
1 package Pillsbury Devils’ Food Chocolate Cake Mix
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
3 large eggs

Frosting:
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup malted milk powder
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 box (16 oz.) confectioners sugar
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 cup crushed Whopper’s Milk Chocolate Malted Milk Balls

Heat your oven to 350 degrees. Prepare two 9-inch cake pans with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

In a large bowl add all ingredients for cake. Whisk vigorously until well combined and thick. Divide the batter among the two pans and even with a spatula if needed. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes, then remove from pans and continue cooling the cake on the rack until completely cool.

To make the frosting, to a large bowl of an electric mixer with a paddle attachment add the butter and beat until fluffy. Add the malted milk powder and cocoa and mix until well incorporated. With the mixer on low-speed, slowly add the confectioners sugar until fully incorporated. Add the heavy cream, a little at a time, until the perfect consistency is reached. Note, if too thick or thin, add more cream or sugar as needed.

To assemble: place one layer on a cake tray, top with about 1/3 of the frosting and spread until even. Place the second layer on top and using the remaining frosting, frost the sides and top. Crush the Whopper’s and sprinkle on top of the cake.

Oh and by the way, my hubby loved it too and stated that this moist and creamy Chocolate Malt Layer Cake was better than the “other” cake we bought at the store! And why pray tell? Because, you see, it was not as sweet and the addition of the malt in the frosting gave the cake a unique and fabulous flavor combination!

Now my darling family, what did I tell you? Yes, always listen to the baker in your home! Hahahaha!