Chocolate Marshmallow Layer Cake

Chocolate Marshmallow Cake – A moist chocolate layer cake filled with marshmallow frosting, topped with chocolate buttercream frosting, and garnished with mini marshmallows.

Earlier this week we celebrated Jake’s fourth birthday. I can’t believe that it’s been four whole years since I brought my tiny, 5-pound baby home from the hospital. Jake’s birthday will always hold an extra special place in my heart because it is the day that I became a mother. My road to motherhood was a long and difficult journey, and I am so blessed that I get the privilege of raising such a kind, rambunctious, smart, and sensitive boy. Not a day goes by that I don’t thank my lucky stars for him (and his sister).

My mommy heart simultaneously breaks and expands every time he reaches a milestone. Can someone please (pretty please, right now!) invent a way to freeze time? I want to remember this fun and precious age forever.

I could go on for days gushing about my sweet boy, but I’ll pull myself together so that we can talk about cake. More specifically, Jake’s chocolate marshmallow birthday cake. Oh. Yes.

Several weeks ago I asked Jake what kind of cake he wanted for his birthday. He requested a cake with chocolate and marshmallows (two of his favorite things). I had never had a chocolate marshmallow cake before, and I was thrilled to create the perfect recipe for him.

I decided on a three-layer chocolate cake with a marshmallow cream frosting on the inside and a chocolate buttercream frosting on the outside. I wanted the ideal balance of chocolate and marshmallow, without one dominating the other. The chocolate cake is moist with a mild chocolate flavor, and it goes wonderfully with the gooey marshmallow frosting, the rich chocolate frosting, and the heap of chewy marshmallows adorning the top.

As you can tell from the photos, this is not a fancy, sophisticated layer cake. It’s messy (hello, tumbling marshmallows), it’s fun, and it’s kid friendly. No frills here. Just a festive birthday cake to celebrate our four year old boy.

Here’s to you, Jakey – I love you forever. XO

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4.5 from 2 votes

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Chocolate Marshmallow Layer Cake

A moist chocolate layer cake filled with marshmallow frosting, topped with chocolate buttercream frosting, and garnished with mini marshmallows.

Course Dessert

Prep Time 1 hour

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes

Servings 12

Calories 707 kcal

Author Allison - Celebrating Sweets

Ingredients

Cake:

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk I prefer whole milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water

Marshmallow frosting:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
• 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1 7 oz container marshmallow creme/marshmallow fluff

Chocolate frosting:

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter softened
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 whole milk (plus more if needed)

Topping:

• 1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
• 3 tablespoons chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon milk

Instructions

Cake:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease three 9-inch cake pans, and line the bottoms with rounds of parchment paper. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract, and beat on medium speed for two minutes with a hand mixer or stand mixer. Add the boiling water and stir to combine, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl as necessary (the batter will be thin). Divide the batter evenly among the three prepared pans. Use a measuring cup or large glass measuring bowl to help divide the batter evenly.
3. Bake for 22-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean. Place the pans on wire racks to cool completely. You can also refrigerate the cakes (tightly covered) until you're ready to frost them.

Marshmallow frosting:

1. With a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the butter and powdered sugar until creamy and combined, about one minute. Add vanilla extract and milk, and beat for another minute. Add the marshmallow creme and beat until completely combined, about one additional minute.
2. Place one layer of cake on a serving platter and spread with half of the marshmallow frosting, leaving a 1/4 to 1/2 inch border around the outside (so the frosting won't spill out the sides). Place another layer of cake on top, and spread with the remaining marshmallow frosting, leaving a 1/4 to 1/2 inch border around the outside. Place the third layer of cake on top of that, and transfer the cake to the refrigerator while you prepare the chocolate frosting.

Chocolate frosting and assembly:

1. Whisk or sift powdered sugar and cocoa powder until all lumps are removed. With a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat butter, cocoa powder, and powdered sugar on low speed, then slowly pour in the 1/4 cup milk. Once the ingredients are incorporated, increase the mixer to medium speed and beat for about one minute, until thick and creamy. Add more milk, if needed, to thin out the frosting.
2. Remove the cake from the refrigerator and frost the top and sides with the chocolate frosting. Immediately pile the mini marshmallows in the center of the cake, lightly pressing them down to help them stick to the frosting.
3. Heat the chocolate chips and 1 teaspoon milk in the microwave in 15-20 second increments, until smooth and creamy, stirring frequently. Drizzle the marshmallows with melted chocolate (this will help them stick together). Place the cake in the refrigerator to allow the frosting to firm up. Allow the cake to sit at room temperature for an hour before serving.

Recipe Notes

You can make the cake a day ahead and keep the layers tightly covered in the refrigerator until you're ready to frost them.
Cake adapted from Hershey's

Nutrition Facts

Chocolate Marshmallow Layer Cake

Amount Per Serving

Calories 707 Calories from Fat 279

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 31g 48%

Saturated Fat 21g 105%

Cholesterol 78mg 26%

Sodium 384mg 16%

Potassium 247mg 7%

Total Carbohydrates 108g 36%

Dietary Fiber 4g 16%

Sugars 86g

Protein 5g 10%

Vitamin A 12.8%

Calcium 7.9%

Iron 14.4%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.