Devil’s Food Cake with a Cheesecake Center
Devil’s Food Cake with a Cheesecake Center: Celebrate your special day with a double treat! TWO DESSERTS IN ONE! Two layers of dark chocolate Devil’s food cake, a New York style cheesecake in the middle with a delicious caramel layer surprise.
![Devil's Food Cake with a Cheesecake Center](https://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Devils-Food-Cake-with-a-Cheesecake-Center-5-683x1024.jpg)
![Devil's Food Cake with a Cheesecake Center](https://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Devils-Food-Cake-with-a-Cheesecake-Center-2-683x1024.jpg)
How to Make Devil’s Food Cake with a Cheesecake Center
![Devil's Food Cake with a Cheesecake Center](https://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Devils-Food-Cake-with-a-Cheesecake-Center-12-1024x1024.jpg)
![Devil's Food Cake with a Cheesecake Center](https://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Devils-Food-Cake-with-a-Cheesecake-Center-11-1024x1024.jpg)
![Devil's Food Cake with a Cheesecake Center](https://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Devils-Food-Cake-with-a-Cheesecake-Center-10-1024x1024.jpg)
![Devil's Food Cake with a Cheesecake Center](https://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Devils-Food-Cake-with-a-Cheesecake-Center-9-1024x1024.jpg)
![Devil's Food Cake with a Cheesecake Center](https://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Devils-Food-Cake-with-a-Cheesecake-Center-13-1024x1024.jpg)
![Devil's Food Cake with a Cheesecake Center](https://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Devils-Food-Cake-with-a-Cheesecake-Center-4-1024x1024.jpg)
![Devil's Food Cake with a Cheesecake Center](https://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Devils-Food-Cake-with-a-Cheesecake-Center-4-1024x1024.jpg)
THE CAKE LAYERS: Follow the ingredient list and baking instructions listed on the box. Once the cake is baked, cooled and if need be trimmed, place one layer on the cake stand. Pour 1/3 cup of the hot caramel topping on top. NOTE: using hot caramel just mean the caramel is thicker then the normal caramel ice cream topping. It doesn’t mean that you literally add “hot” caramel to the cake.
CHEESECAKE: Now add the cheesecake layer. This is just a baked cheesecake without the crust. See the full recipe below with ingredients and instructions on how to make this wonderful creamy layer of cheesecake goodness. NOTE: My cheesecake was a little bigger then my cake even though they were both baked in 9-inch pans. So I trimmed some of the cheesecake to be the same size as the cake. Add more of the hot caramel to the top of the cheesecake. Place the remaining cake layer on top of the cheesecake.
DARK CHOCOLATE FROSTING: Add a thick somewhat smooth layer of chocolate frosting to the sides, a little bit thinner to the top (you’ll be adding florets later). As an option, you can add the remaining caramel and some chocolate sprinkles to the top of the cake. NOTE: This will be a hidden surprise since it will be covered with frosting. Add the remaining frosting to a large pipping bag fitted with a 1M pipping tip. In a swirl motion add florets. If you need help with this step CLICK HERE—->>>>BEAUTY AND THE BEAST CUPCAKES.
![Devil's Food Cake with a Cheesecake Center](https://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Devils-Food-Cake-with-a-Cheesecake-Center-8-683x1024.jpg)
How to Make a Crustless Cheesecake
Wrap the outside of a 9-inch springform pan with foil, place in a deep baking pan; set aside.
In a medium mixing bowl, whip the cream cheese until fluffy, add the sugar, combine.
Add the eggs, sour cream and vanilla; continue mixing until all lumps are gone and the mixture is smooth.
Pour cream cheese mixture into prepared pan.
Place in the oven; pour hot water into the outer pan; about 2 inches up the sides.
Bake in a 350° oven for 1½ hours, cool on a wire rack, cover and refrigerate overnight.
![Devil's Food Cake with a Cheesecake Center](https://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Devils-Food-Cake-with-a-Cheesecake-Center-7-683x1024.jpg)
How to Change up the Flavor of this Cheesecake Stuffed Chocolate Cake
CAKE: It’s super easy to make multiple cakes with a cheesecake center. All you have to do is use different flavored cake mixes to create multiple cakes.
FILLING: The cake flavor will determine the filling. Below are a few of my favorite combos.
• FUNFETTI CAKE: Keep it simple, use a funfetti cake mix and add sprinkles to the cheesecake.
• STRAWBERRY: This could go a couple ways. First, use a strawberry cake mix and then add fresh strawberries or lemon curd to the layers. OR ADD BOTH!
• LEMON CAKE: The same goes for lemon cake as the strawberry cake. Create a Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberry Lemonade Cake!
• RED VELVET: Add hot fudge sauce to the layers or the red velvet cake.
• CARROT CAKE: Chopped or crushed VERY WELL DRAINED pineapple would be delicious.
• MULTIPLE COLORS CAKE: Use a white cake mix, divide the batter into two bowls, add a different color to each bowl of batter. Also add a coordinating color to the cheesecake batter for a colorful fun cake.
MORE SEMI HOMEMADE CAKE RECIPES
![](https://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/White-Birthday-Confetti-Cake-7-683x1024-1.jpg)
![Devil's Food Cake with a Cheesecake Center](https://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Devils-Food-Cake-with-a-Cheesecake-Center-6-683x1024.jpg)
MORE CHEESECAKE RECIPES
![](https://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Butterfinger-Candy-Bar-Cheesecake-10-576x1024-1.jpg)
![Devil's Food Cake with a Cheesecake Center](https://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Devils-Food-Cake-with-a-Cheesecake-Center-3-scaled-720x720.jpg)
Devil’s Food Cake with a Cheesecake Center
Layers of dark chocolate Devil’s food cake, a wonderful cheesecake in the middle with a delicious caramel layer surprise.
Ingredients
For the Devil's Food Cake:
- 1 (15.25 ounce) cake mix
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs
- 1 (12 ounce) jar hot caramel topping, divided
For the Cheesecake Layer:
- 3 (8 ounce) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 (16 ounce) sour cream
- 3 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Dark Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 (8 ounce) cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder
- 1 tablespoon hot water
- ¾ cup special dark unsweetened cocoa
- 5 cup powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons buttermilk
Optional Topping:
- remaining hot caramel
- chocolate sprinkles
Instructions
For the Devil's Food Cake:
THE DAY BEFORE YOU WANT TO SERVE THIS CAKE:
- Preheat oven to 350°; spray two 9-inch cake pans with non stick cooking spray, line the bottom of each pan with parchment paper cut to fit, spray on top of the parchment paper, set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl combine the cake mix, water, oil and eggs; beat until smooth.
- Divide evenly (about 2 cups per pan), bake 24 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool on a wire rack 15 minutes, turn onto wire rack to cool completely.
- Wrap in plastic wrap, place in refrigerator.
IMPORTANT: 2 HOURS BEFORE PUTTING THE CAKE TOGETHER PLACE IN THE FREEZER. This makes for a sturdier cake while decorating.
For the Cheesecake:
- Wrap the outside of a 9-inch springform pan with foil, place in a deep baking pan; set aside.
- In a medium mixing bowl whip the cream cheese until fluffy, add the sugar, combine.
- Add the eggs, sour cream and vanilla; continue mixing until all lumps are gone and the mixture is smooth.
- Pour cream cheese mixture into prepared pan.
- Place in the oven; pour hot water into the outer pan; about 2 inches up the sides.
- Bake 1½ hours, cool on wire rack, cover and refrigerate overnight. NOTE: The cheesecake will get tall during the baking, once the cake cools it will deflate to the correct size.
IMPORTANT: 2 HOURS BEFORE PUTTING THE CAKE TOGETHER PLACE IN THE FREEZER.
For the Dark Chocolate Frosting:
- In a large mixing bowl cream together the butter and cream cheese.
- In a small bowl stir together the espresso powder and water, pour into the cream cheese mixture, whip until combined.
- Add the cocoa and powdered sugar (only 1 cup at a time) to the creamed mixture, along with the buttermilk.
- Continue whipping the frosting 3 to 5 minutes.
Putting It All Together:
- If needed trim the top off the cake (this will create a flat surface).
- Place one of the layers onto the cake stand.
- Pour 1/3 cup of the hot caramel sauce (DO NOT HEAT) on the top of the cake, evenly spread.
- Release the sides of the cheesecake and place on top of the layer of cake.
- NOTE: My cheesecake was a little bit larger then my cake (even though they were both baked in 9-inch baking pans), once the cheesecake was on top of the cake, I used a knife and trimmed the cheesecake to the same size as the cake.
- Pour an additional 1/3 cup of the hot caramel sauce onto the cheesecake, evenly spread.
- Add the remaining cake layer on top of the cheesecake.
- Spread a generous amount of frosting on the sides of the cake and a thin layer on top.
- Add optional topping of the remaining hot caramel and chocolate sprinkles to the top of the cake on top of the frosting.
- Spoon remaining frosting into a large pipping bag fitted with a 1M pipping tip.
- Pipe florets on the top of the cake. If you need help with this step CLICK HERE---->>>>BEAUTY AND THE BEAST CUPCAKES.
- Add more chocolate sprinkles
SIGN UP FOR THE LADY BEHIND THE CURTAIN NEWSLETTER AND FOLLOW THE LADY BEHIND THE PARTY ETSY SHOP
![](https://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Thank-You-Banner-21-1.jpg)
NEWSLETTER: Receive (twice a month) seasonally themed newsletters full of recipes, tips and tricks. Sometimes even FREE gifts! ETSY SHOP: Did you know that Lady Behind the Curtain has an Etsy Shop? LADY BEHIND THE PARTY is a shop full of DOWNLOADABLE hand designed (by me) party supplies. Click here for the Newsletter→CURTAIN CALL NEWSLETTER Click here for the Esty Shop→LADY BEHIND THE PARTY
THANKS FOR VISITING♥
![Devil's Food Cake with a Cheesecake Center](https://www.ladybehindthecurtain.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Devils-Food-Cake-with-a-Cheesecake-Center-1-576x1024.png)
Two of my favorite desserts! Love this! Pinned and sharing!
Awesome! Thanks Malia! 🙂
I had a sugar attack just looking at this yummy deliciousness
Hahaha…trust me Delores, it’s worth it! 🙂
Great post! Have nice day ! 🙂 kkflp
Thanks Thomas! 🙂
You never mention the temperature to bake the cheesecake portion of this cake.What is it?
Hi Martha, The temp is the same as the cheesecake 350°.
Can I bake the cheesecake layer in a regular 9 inch cake pan and if so for how long? Thank you.
Hi Angela, I would recommend a springform pan. Otherwise I think you will have a hard time getting the cheesecake out of the pan in one piece.
Making this for someone who doesn’t like coffee or mocha flavored things. Is this just to help add some bitterness so the frosting get overly sweet or does it actually taste espresso-y?
Hi Krista, I also do not like coffee or mocha things. When adding espresso to chocolate it intensifies the chocolate flavor. You can’t taste the coffee.