Hersheys Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Filling

Early winter weekends in our town tend to move at a different pace. The bakery windows downtown glow a little longer, school fundraisers start filling calendars, and birthdays seem to stack up all at once.

One Saturday morning, I ran into another parent at the grocery store, both of us eyeing the baking aisle while trading notes about upcoming celebrations. She needed something chocolate heavy for a family dinner, and I was already thinking ahead to a Sunday gathering with neighbors dropping by after church.

Back home, the kitchen filled quickly. One child was measuring cocoa powder with serious focus, another was tasked with lining pans, and my husband was reading the recipe aloud while pretending not to sneak chocolate chips.

The smell of cocoa blooming in warm water has a way of pulling everyone closer. It was not rushed or fancy, just a shared stretch of time before the oven door closed and the house quieted again.

This Hersheys Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Filling came together in that space. It felt right for a day meant to be shared, rich enough to feel celebratory but still grounded in familiar flavors. By the time the ganache was poured and sprinkles made their way onto the top, it already felt like part of the weekend story we would carry into the week.

Short Description

Hersheys Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Filling is a moist cocoa rich layer cake filled with smooth vanilla cream cheese and finished with a glossy chocolate ganache.

Key Ingredients

For the Chocolate Cake

• 1¾ cups all purpose flour
• ¾ cup Hershey’s cocoa powder
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1½ teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup boiling water

For the Cream Cheese Filling

• 16 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Ganache Topping

• 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
• ½ cup heavy cream

For Garnish Optional

• Whipped cream
• Chocolate shavings or sprinkles
• Rainbow nonpareils

Tools Needed

• Two 9 inch round cake pans
• Large mixing bowls
• Hand mixer or stand mixer
• Whisk
• Rubber spatula
• Saucepan or microwave safe bowl
• Offset spatula

Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the oven and pans
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9 inch round cake pans, making sure the sides are fully coated to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Mix the dry ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined and free of lumps.

Step 3: Add wet ingredients
Add eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the dry mixture. Mix until smooth and well blended.

Step 4: Incorporate boiling water
Slowly stir in the boiling water. The batter will be thin, which is expected and helps create a moist cake crumb.

Step 5: Bake the cake layers
Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cakes cool completely before assembling.

Step 6: Prepare the cream cheese filling
Beat softened cream cheese with sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth and fluffy. Chill the filling while the cake layers cool to help it set.

Step 7: Assemble the cake
Level cake layers if needed. Spread the cream cheese filling evenly over one cake layer, then gently place the second layer on top.

Step 8: Make the ganache
Heat the heavy cream until it just begins to simmer. Pour over chocolate chips and let sit for 1 to 2 minutes, then stir until smooth and glossy.

Step 9: Add ganache topping
Pour the ganache over the top of the cake, allowing it to flow naturally down the sides. Use an offset spatula to guide if needed.

Step 10: Decorate and set
Top with whipped cream and sprinkles if desired. Let the cake rest for 15 minutes before slicing so the layers hold cleanly.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Deep chocolate flavor without dryness

Cream cheese filling adds balance and richness

Straightforward steps suitable for home bakers

Works well for birthdays and gatherings

Can be made ahead with ease

Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions

Overbaking the Cake Layers
Leaving the cake in the oven too long can dry out the crumb.
Solution: Check for doneness at 30 minutes and remove once a toothpick comes out clean.

Using Cold Cream Cheese
Cold cream cheese can leave lumps in the filling.
Solution: Let cream cheese soften fully at room temperature before mixing.

Pouring Hot Ganache Too Quickly
Very hot ganache can melt the filling layer.
Solution: Let ganache cool slightly until thick but pourable before topping.

Skipping Cake Cooling Time
Warm cake layers can cause filling to slide.
Solution: Cool cakes completely before assembling.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

Serve sliced on a cake stand for gatherings

Pair with coffee or unsweetened tea

Add fresh berries on the side for contrast

Slice smaller portions for dessert tables

Storage and Reheating Tips

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days

Bring slices to room temperature before serving

Avoid microwaving to keep filling smooth

Wrap tightly if storing overnight

FAQs

1. Can I make this cake a day ahead?
Yes, it holds well when refrigerated and tastes even better the next day.

2. Can I freeze the cake?
Freeze unfrosted layers wrapped tightly for up to 2 months.

3. Is the cream cheese filling sweet?
It is lightly sweetened to balance the chocolate cake.

4. Can I use low fat cream cheese?
Full fat works best for texture and flavor.

5. How do I get clean slices?
Use a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts.

Tips & Tricks

Sift cocoa powder if it looks clumpy

Chill the assembled cake briefly before adding ganache

Use parchment circles in pans for easy release

Recipe Variations

Chocolate Raspberry Cake: Add a thin layer of raspberry preserves over the cream cheese filling before stacking.

Mocha Chocolate Cake: Add 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder to the dry ingredients.

Nutty Crunch Topping: Sprinkle chopped toasted pecans over the ganache before it sets.

Final Thoughts

This Hersheys Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Filling fits easily into gatherings where sharing happens without planning too far ahead. Each slice looks generous but still balanced, with layers that stay distinct and smooth from top to bottom. The cocoa depth and gentle creaminess work together in a way that feels familiar, yet still thoughtful enough for a special table.

Baking a cake like this naturally slows the pace of the day. The oven clicks off, the kitchen settles, and people drift back in as plates are set out. Conversations stretch a little longer, forks scrape softly, and no one seems eager to move on. Moments like these are often quiet, simple, and exactly why baking keeps its place in my routine.