Chocolate Polka Dot Cake

Name: Chocolate Polka Dot Cake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 12 serving(s)
Ingredients: Cooking spray; 3 c. (360 g.) all-purpose flour; 1/2 c. (40 g.) dark cocoa powder; 2 tsp. baking soda; 3/4 tsp. kosher salt; 1 3/4 c. (350 g.) granulated sugar, divided; 2 c. (475 ml.) cold water; 2/3 c. (160 ml.) vegetable oil; 2 tbsp. white vinegar; 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract; 1 large egg; 1 (8-oz.) bar cream cheese, room temperature; 1 c. (170 g.) semisweet chocolate chips

By Laura RegePublished: Sep 9, 2022

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PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

Straight from mom’s recipe book, this family recipe is the cake of my youth. It combines a fudgy chocolate sheet cake with cheesecake polka dots and crunchy chocolate chips for texture. Obtained at a party well before my time, my mom said she tried it and just had to have the recipe. Other than that, its origins are unknown. For its signature light, fluffy, and fudgy texture, the chocolate cake doesn’t contain eggs. Instead it rises beautifully just by activating the baking soda with white vinegar.

The cake serves 12, so it's perfect for casual birthday celebrations and dinner parties. Make sure to cool the cake completely before serving; otherwise, the cheesecake filling won't be set.

For more cheesecake-stuffed desserts, check out our cheesecake-stuffed cookies, our cheesecake-stuffed pound cake, or our cheesecake-stuffed strawberries.

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Yields:: 12 serving(s)
Prep Time:: 15 mins
Cook Time:: 35 mins
Total Time:: 50 mins

Ingredients

Cooking spray
3 c.
(360 g.) all-purpose flour
1/2 c.
(40 g.) dark cocoa powder
2 tsp.
baking soda
3/4 tsp.
kosher salt
1 3/4 c.
(350 g.) granulated sugar, divided
2 c.
(475 ml.) cold water
2/3 c.
(160 ml.) vegetable oil
2 Tbsp.
white vinegar
1 tsp.
pure vanilla extract
1
large egg
1
(8-oz.) bar cream cheese, room temperature
1 c.
(170 g.) semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Step 1Preheat oven to 350º. Grease a 13"-by-9" pan with cooking spray.
2. Step 2In a large bowl, whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar. Whisk in water, oil, vinegar, and vanilla until well combined. Scrape batter into pan and spread in an even layer.
3. Step 3In a medium bowl, whisk egg, cream cheese, and remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar until smooth and well combined. Stir in chips. Dollop cheesecake batter over chocolate batter to create a polka dot effect.
4. Step 4Bake until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack. Slice and serve.