Brooklyn Blackout Cake

If you’re a true chocolate lover, the Brooklyn Blackout Cake is your ultimate dessert dream come true. Named after the WWII-era blackouts in Brooklyn, this rich, ultra-dark cake is famously dense, moist, and deeply chocolaty. Traditionally made by Ebinger’s Bakery, it became a Brooklyn icon—and for good reason. Layered with velvety chocolate pudding and topped with cake crumbs, this indulgent masterpiece is more than just a cake—it’s an experience.

Ingredients:

For the Cake:

• 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-processed preferred)
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup hot coffee or boiling water

For the Chocolate Pudding Filling:

• 1½ cups whole milk
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• ¼ tsp salt
• 6 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

Step 1: Make the Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
3. Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Mix until smooth, then carefully stir in hot coffee.
4. Divide batter evenly between pans and bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely.

Step 2: Prepare the Pudding

1. In a saucepan, whisk milk, cream, sugar, cornstarch, and salt over medium heat. Stir constantly until thickened.
2. Remove from heat and add chopped chocolate and vanilla. Stir until smooth. Chill until set.

Step 3: Assemble

1. Slice each cake layer in half to create four thin layers. Set one layer aside and crumble it into fine crumbs.
2. Spread pudding between the remaining three cake layers, then cover the outside of the cake with more pudding.
3. Press the cake crumbs onto the sides and top of the cake.

Refrigerate at least 1–2 hours before serving for best texture. The result is an unforgettable, fudgy dessert that’s as rich in history as it is in flavor.