This Gooey Smores Cake is your direct ticket to a campfire classic, baked right into a decadent dessert that’s surprisingly easy to make. Get ready for a chocolatey, marshmallowy delight that’s perfect for satisfying those sweet cravings without the hassle of an actual campfire!
Key Ingredients for Gooey Smores Cake
For the Cake Base:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk (whole or 2% recommended)
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
For the Gooey Filling:
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup mini marshmallows (plus extra for topping, if desired)
- ¼ cup sweetened condensed milk
For the Topping (Optional but Recommended):
- Additional mini marshmallows
- Crushed graham crackers
- Extra chocolate chips or chunks
How to Make Gooey Smores Cake
Prepare yourself for pure bliss with this Gooey Smores Cake! It’s remarkably simple to whip up, delivering an intensely satisfying, rich flavor experience. The magic lies in its moist cake base and the wonderfully gooey, molten chocolate and marshmallow center, truly reminiscent of perfectly toasted s’mores. With a preparation time of just 15 minutes and baking for about 30-35 minutes, this delightful dessert is achievable even on a weeknight. Just imagine that warm, gooey goodness!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or an 8×8 inch baking dish. For easier removal, you can also line the bottom with parchment paper cut to fit.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Ensure everything is well combined and there are no large lumps of cocoa powder.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the milk, vegetable oil, the large egg, and vanilla extract until just combined.
Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. It’s okay if there are a few small lumps; overmixing can make the cake tough.
Add Vinegar: Stir in the white vinegar or apple cider vinegar. You’ll notice the batter might become a bit frothy – this is normal and helps create a tender crumb.
Pour Half the Batter: Pour about half of the cake batter into the prepared cake pan or baking dish. Spread it evenly to form a base layer.
Create the Gooey Filling: Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the cake batter. Then, scatter half of the mini marshmallows over the chocolate chips. Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the marshmallows and chocolate.
Top with Remaining Batter: Carefully spoon the remaining cake batter over the gooey filling, spreading it gently to cover the filling as much as possible. Some of the filling might peek through, and that’s perfectly fine and adds to the charm!
Add Optional Toppings: If you’re feeling extra adventurous, sprinkle a few more mini marshmallows or some chocolate chunks over the top of the batter. You can also sprinkle crushed graham crackers for an authentic s’mores crust flavor.
Bake to Perfection: Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake part (avoiding the gooey center) comes out with moist crumbs attached. The edges should be set, and the center will remain wonderfully gooey.
Cool (Slightly): Let the Gooey Smores Cake cool in the pan for at least 15-20 minutes before attempting to serve. This allows the gooey center to set slightly and makes it easier to slice without everything dissolving into a mess.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve warm, scooping generous portions to capture that delightful mix of cake, melted chocolate, and gooey marshmallow.
Why You’ll Love This Gooey Smores Cake
Get ready to fall head over heels for this incredible Gooey Smores Cake! Its undisputed main feature is that irresistible, molten chocolate and marshmallow center that oozes with every bite, transporting you straight back to cozy nights by the campfire. More than just delicious, making this at home is a fantastic cost-saving alternative to buying expensive bakery cakes or specialty desserts, offering you that gourmet experience for a fraction of the price. The rich, decadent chocolate, the sweet, pillowy marshmallows, and the hint of graham cracker crunch all combine to create a symphony of flavors that’s simply divine.
Unlike a simple brownie or a plain chocolate cake, this Gooey Smores Cake elevates dessert to a whole new level with its uniquely integrated s’mores elements. Imagine the joy of a perfectly toasted s’more transformed into a sliceable, shareable cake – it’s pure magic! You absolutely must try this comforting and utterly delicious treat for yourself. It’s the perfect way to impress guests or simply treat yourself to something truly special.
Storing and Reheating Tips
Storage: To store leftover Gooey Smores Cake, allow it to cool completely before covering it tightly with plastic wrap or transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. The gooey center may firm up slightly in the refrigerator, but this is perfectly normal.
Reheating: For the best experience, reheat individual slices gently.
- Microwave: Place a slice on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on 50% power for 20-30 seconds, or until warmed through and the gooey center is re-melted. Be careful not to overheat, or the texture can change.
- Oven: For a slightly crisper edge, you can reheat slices in a toaster oven or a conventional oven preheated to around 300°F (150°C) for about 5-8 minutes. Watch closely to prevent burning.
Freezing: If you wish to freeze the cake for longer storage, it’s best to do so before serving. Wrap the completely cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil, or place it in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 1-2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating as described above. You can also freeze individual slices.
Final Thoughts
This Gooey Smores Cake is a delightful and accessible way to capture the essence of a campfire treat in a comforting dessert. Give it a try for a guaranteed smile and a truly memorable, gooey experience!
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Gooey Smores Cake
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan or an 8×8 inch baking dish. For easier removal, you can also line the bottom with parchment paper cut to fit.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Ensure everything is well combined and there are no large lumps of cocoa powder.1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the milk, vegetable oil, the large egg, and vanilla extract until just combined.1 cup milk (whole or 2% recommended), 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. It’s okay if there are a few small lumps; overmixing can make the cake tough.
- Stir in the white vinegar or apple cider vinegar. You’ll notice the batter might become a bit frothy – this is normal and helps create a tender crumb.1 tablespoon white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- Pour about half of the cake batter into the prepared cake pan or baking dish. Spread it evenly to form a base layer.
- Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the cake batter. Then, scatter half of the mini marshmallows over the chocolate chips. Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the marshmallows and chocolate.1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, 1/2 cup mini marshmallows (plus extra for topping, if desired), 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
- Carefully spoon the remaining cake batter over the gooey filling, spreading it gently to cover the filling as much as possible. Some of the filling might peek through, and that’s perfectly fine and adds to the charm!
- If you’re feeling extra adventurous, sprinkle a few more mini marshmallows or some chocolate chunks over the top of the batter. You can also sprinkle crushed graham crackers for an authentic s’mores crust flavor.additional mini marshmallows, crushed graham crackers, extra chocolate chips or chunks
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the cake part (avoiding the gooey center) comes out with moist crumbs attached. The edges should be set, and the center will remain wonderfully gooey.
- Let the Gooey Smores Cake cool in the pan for at least 15-20 minutes before attempting to serve. This allows the gooey center to set slightly and makes it easier to slice without everything dissolving into a mess.
- Serve warm, scooping generous portions to capture that delightful mix of cake, melted chocolate, and gooey marshmallow.