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Small (4-inch) Chocolate Cake

My 4-inch vanilla cake recipe was such a big hit it inspired me to make a chocolate version! Cue this small chocolate cake.

I love this small chocolate cake recipe because it’s so easy to make, and absolutely delicious.

It’s perfect for a small celebration and would also make the cutest smash cake!

image of a small, 4-inch chocolate cake that's been frosted with chocolate buttercream

How Much Batter Does this Small Chocolate Cake Recipe Make?

One batch of this recipe makes enough batter to make 3, 4-inch cake layers, or 2, 6-inch cake layers.

I like to make cute little 4-inch cake layers, but I know that’s an odd pan size that not everyone has on hand.

image of moist chocolate cake batter being mixer together

Decorating This Small Chocolate Cake

When I was recipe testing, I challenged myself to decorate this cake without a spinning cake stand!

I wanted to see what styles and decorations are doable if you don’t have tons of baking tools on hand.

The easiest style was a textured look with a small offset spatula or the back of a spoon.

If you’re after a more classic look, you can also smooth with a bench scraper and add some buttercream swirls.

image of chocolate buttercream being smoothed onto a 4-inch chocolate cake

I also topped my cake with some small round sprinkles. I figured a mini cake should have some mini sprinkles.

They give this cake a nice pop of color that makes it perfect to celebrate any occasion.

image of a 4-inch chocolate smash cake that's been decorated with small round sprinkles and tall candles

Substitutions and Swaps – Small Chocolate Cake Layers

This small chocolate birthday cake uses quite a few ingredients and I know you might not have them all on hand. Or if you have food allergies or restrictions, I’ve got you covered.

Below are some swaps and substitutions that can be made in this cake recipe.

  • All Purpose Flour – This recipe turns out best with AP flour, but you can use a gluten free flour blend or cake flour if that’s all you have on hand.
  • Granulated Sugar – I do not recommend reducing the amount of sugar or changing the type of sugar, as it will change the texture of the cake layers.
  • Cocoa Powder – I like to use regular, unsweetened cocoa powder in this recipe. However, it would also taste great with dark cocoa powder or Dutch-processed cocoa powder.
  • Unsalted Butter – If you only have salted butter on hand, you can use it in place of the unsalted butter in this recipe. Just be sure to omit the salt that this cake recipe calls for. You can also use vegan butter in its place (and also omit the salt)!
  • 1 Large Egg– If you have an egg allergy you can use a flaxseed egg or an egg replacer.
  • Buttermilk – You can also use full fat yogurt, sour cream, whole milk, or an alternative yogurt or milk (almond, soy, oat) if you’re dairy free.
  • Vegetable Oil – You can use any flavorless oil in this recipe. Canola or even sunflower oil would work great!
image of flour being leveled in a measuring cup

Substitutions and Swaps – Chocolate Buttercream

This recipe uses a chocolate American buttercream frosting.

If you want to use a less sweet frosting, I recommend making a half batch of my chocolate Russian buttercream or my chocolate Italian meringue buttercream.

Or if you’re unsure about the ingredients, below are some substitutions that can be made in this frosting recipe.

  • Unsalted Butter – If you only have salted butter on hand, you can use it in place of the unsalted butter. Just be sure to omit the salt that this frosting recipe calls for. You can also use vegan butter in its place (and omit the salt)!
  • Heavy Cream – Whole milk or alternative milk (soy, almond, oat) will work fine in this frosting recipe if that’s what you have on hand.
  • Chocolate Chips – I like to use dark chocolate chips, but you can also use semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips. You can also use chocolate bars or couverture chocolate.

Making This Small Chocolate Cake Gluten Free

You can swap in your favorite gluten free flour blend cup for cup in this recipe!

I personally prefer King Arthur’s gluten free flour blend, and find that 1 cup of GF flour weighs about 120 grams.

In addition to swapping the flour, there are two additional steps you need to take when making this mini cake gluten free.

image of a small chocolate smash cake that's been cut into to show its 4-inch cake layers

Gluten Free Baking Tip #1: Over-Mix the Batter

The first step is to vigorously whisk your batter for a few minutes once it’s made. This helps give your cake layers structure.

I know this goes against everything you’ve ever heard about baking, but over mixing your batter is key when making anything gluten free.

It helps the cake layers rise better as they bake and gives the cake a more tender crumb.

Gluten Free Baking Tip #2: Let the Batter Rest

The second step I recommend is letting your batter rest for about 30 minutes before baking your cake layers.

Gluten free flour blends can have a hard time absorbing moisture and fats.

Letting the batter sit before baking it gives the flour more time to absorb all that goodness.

This helps thicken the batter and prevents your cake layers from having a gritty texture.

image of a small, 4-inch chocolate cake that's been frosted with chocolate buttercream that has been placed on a cute little white cake stand with party decorations around it

Tips for Making the Best Small Chocolate Cake:

  • Chill your cake layers in the freezer for about 20 minutes before assembling the cake. It makes it so much easier to stack and frost.
  • If your cake layers turn out less than perfect, please check out my cake troubleshooting guide.
  • Use a serrated knife to level your cake layers once they’re fully cooled. It makes this mini cake so much easier to assemble and frost.
  • I do NOT recommend using this recipe to make cupcakes! Instead, I highly recommend trying my favorite chocolate cupcake recipe. I like the texture better for cupcakes.

Making These Cake Layers in Advance and Storage Tips

Make your cake layers in advance and freeze them. It breaks the process up and makes it more approachable.

These cake layers can be frozen for up to 3 months, and as long as they’re wrapped right I promise they’ll taste just like they did the day you baked them.

Make your frosting ahead of time too or save any leftover frosting! It can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a month, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Be sure to give it a good stir once it thaws to get the consistency nice and smooth again.

A frosted cake can last in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to a month. The buttercream locks in all the moisture, keeping the cake fresh and delicious!

If you cut into the cake and have leftovers, use any remaining frosting to cover the cut section to keep it moist and store in the fridge for up to a week.

image of chelsey white of chelsweets lighting candles on a small chocolate smash cake

Let Me Know What You Think!

If you try this small chocolate cake recipe, I’d love to hear what you think of it! Please leave a rating and comment below.

Tag me @chelsweets and use #chelsweets on social media so that I can see your amazing creations!

Other Recipes You Might Like:

Yield: 8

Small (4-inch) Chocolate Cake Recipe

image of a small, 4-inch chocolate cake that's been frosted with chocolate buttercream

This small chocolate cake recipe is made in one bowl & is so delicious! One batch makes three, 4-inch cake layers that are perfect for a small celebration.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 33 minutes
Additional Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 8 minutes

Ingredients

Small Chocolate Cake Recipe

  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (94g)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (25g)
  • 1 tsp baking powder (4g)
  • 1/4 tsp fine salt (1g)
  • 1/4 cup or 1/2 stick unsalted butter, melted (56g)
  • 1/4 cup vegetable or canola oil (56g)
  • 1 egg, room temperature (56g)
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk or whole milk, room temperature (120g)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract (4g)

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

  • 1/2 cup milk or dark chocolate chip, melted and cooled (90g)
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (169g)
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract (8g)
  • 1/4 tsp fine salt (1g)
  • 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar (310g)
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (50g)
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream or whipping cream (60g)

Instructions

4-Inch Chocolate Cake Layers:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F/175°C. Line three 4-inch or two 6-inch round pans with parchment rounds and grease with non-stick baking spray.
  2. This recipe can be made by hand with a whisk or with a hand mixer. I prefer making it with a whisk.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt.
  4. Add 1/4 cup of melted butter, 1/4 cup oil, and 1 egg into the dry ingredients and whisk until combined. The batter will be thick.
  5. Then mix in 1/2 cup buttermilk and 1 tsp vanilla extract until combined. Whisk the batter together for any additional 30 seconds to make sure everything is properly combined. This will also help lighten up the texture of the cake layers.
  6. Divide batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
  7. Bake for 30-33 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs. Allow the pans to cool for 10 minutes, then run an offset spatula around the perimeter of the pan to separate the cake from the pan.
  8. Place cake layers into the freezer for 20 minutes, to accelerate the cooling process. Once the layers are fully cooled, carefully flip the pans and remove the layers from the pans.
  9. Use a serrated knife to level the tops of the layers, then set aside. If you're making these in advance, wrap and freeze them at this point.

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting:

  1. While the cake layers bake and cool, make the chocolate buttercream frosting.
  2. Melt 1/2 cup of chocolate first so that it has time to cool off before it's added into the frosting. Heat it in 15 second intervals, stirring between each interval until the chocolate is fully melted. Set aside.
  3. Beat 3/4 cup butter on a medium speed for 30 seconds with either a hand mixer or a stand mixer fit with a paddle attachment.
  4. Mix in 2 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste and 1/4 tsp salt on a low speed.
  5. Gradually mix in 2 1/2 cups of powdered sugar, 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, and 1/4 cup of heavy cream.
  6. Continue to mix on low speed for a few minutes, until the desired consistency is reached. 
  7. If the frosting seems too thick, add in additional cream (1 tsp at a time). If the frosting is too thin, add in more powdered sugar (quarter of a cup at a time).
  8. Cover the frosting flush with plastic wrap and set aside.

Assembling This Small Chocolate Cake:

  1. Stack and frost cake layers on a small plate or cake stand using a dab of frosting to help stick the first cake layer in place.
  2. Add an even layer of buttercream between each cake layer with a large offset spatula.
  3. Add a thin coat of frosting around the cake to fully cover the cake layers.
  4. Smooth using a bench scraper, then chill the cake in the fridge (20 minutes) or freezer (5 minutes) until the frosting is firm to the touch.
  5. Add a second, thicker layer of frosting to the cake, and smooth using a bench scraper. Then decorate as desired! I used a Wilton 1M frosting tip to pipe some fun swirls on top of the cake and added some round sprinkles.

Notes

Please see the section above for swaps and substitutions that can be made in this recipe.

Tips for Making the Best Small Chocolate Cake:

  • Chill your cake layers in the freezer for about 20 minutes before assembling the cake. It makes it so much easier to stack and frost.
  • If your cake layers turn out less than perfect, please check out my cake troubleshooting guide.
  • Use a serrated knife to level the cake layers once they’re fully cooled. It makes this mini cake so much easier to assemble and frost.
  • I do NOT recommend using this recipe to make cupcakes! Instead, I highly recommend trying my favorite chocolate cupcake recipe. I like the texture better for cupcakes.

Making These Cake Layers in Advance and Storage Tips

Make your cake layers in advance and freeze them. It breaks the process up and makes it more approachable.

These cake layers can be frozen for up to 3 months, and as long as they're wrapped right I promise they'll taste just like they did the day you baked them.

Make your frosting ahead of time too or save any leftover frosting! It can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a month, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Be sure to give it a good stir once it thaws to get the consistency nice and smooth again.

A frosted cake can last in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to a month. The buttercream locks in all the moisture, keeping the cake fresh and delicious!

If you cut into the cake and have leftovers, use any remaining frosting to cover the cut section to keep it moist and store in the fridge for up to a week.

Nutrition Information

Yield

8

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 636Total Fat 33gSaturated Fat 18gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 12gCholesterol 98mgSodium 292mgCarbohydrates 81gFiber 2gSugar 64gProtein 6g

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