This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
I have so many things to say about this mini chocolate malt cake. For like two months, I craved a really moist chocolate cake. Like, I could’ve made my chocolate mug cake because you know how that mug cake is.
But it wasn’t the same.
Some days, you just want a fucking cake! Layers, frosting, and all. I never wanted to actually bake a cake because I hate baking. I also didn’t want to bake a regular-sized because that’s just disaster waiting to happen in terms of having to have enough willpower every night to resist it.
Anyway, it got to the point where every evening, I would be sitting in front of the television and I’d randomly think, “I want a damn chocolate cake.”
I finally just ordered two 6-inch cake pans to make a mini chocolate malt cake.
I decided on a mini chocolate malt cake because:
- Mini because it’s a much more reasonable size of cake for two
- I have been loving Maltesers so that was the flavor of the cake I knew I wanted
- Chocolate because there is nothing better than a giant slice of chocolate cake
The final reason, and why there are sparklers on the cake is because today is my birthday.
32.
I totally deserve the ENTIRE mini chocolate malt cake. For two? Nah. For one 32 year old, LOL…But in all seriousness, reflecting on 31, it was a good year.
Okay, it’s time to talk about this show-stopping mini chocolate malt cake for two.
It fulfilled every single craving for chocolate cake and more.
I hope everyone makes this and reports back.
It just 100% hit the spot.
Is this cake gluten-free?
No, I don’t usually bake for special diets.
Is this cake dairy-free?
Nope.
What kind of chocolate is used?
I used dark chocolate cocoa powder.
What is the difference between a naked cake and a frosted cake?
A naked cake is lightly frosted to give it the bare/rustic look. It’s kind of like a crumb coating around the cake.
A frosted cake is fully frosted all around with thick layer of frosting.
How do you frost your cake to be naked?
You use very little amounts of frosting and using an offset spatula, spread it around the cake in a thin layer.
You want the layer thin enough that you can see the cake underneath.
Can you freeze this cake?
I didn’t do it and haven’t tried so I can’t say it would be successful.
What does malt taste like?
Hmm. It tastes a bit sweet and nutty but I also feel like it tastes a bit like butterscotch and caramel.
Do I have to use malt powder? I can’t find it.
You don’t have to but you would just be making chocolate cake (which is perfectly fine because who doesn’t love plain chocolate cake?)
Can I use store-bought frosting?
You can but that’s not the point of this recipe.
Is this chocolate cake moist?
SO moist.
How long can you store this chocolate cake?
We had it out (covered) for 5 days.
Can I just use a box mix and make the frosting myself?
You can but again, not the point of this recipe but you do you.
Where can I find Maltesers?
Oddly enough, I found a pack at Target and I found a giant bucket at Costco, haha
If you can’t find them, you can use Whoppers but we don’t think it’s the same.
The English’s Maltesers are so much better!
Mini Malt Chocolate Cake for Two
Equipment
Ingredients
For the cake:
- ¾ cup (94 g) all purpose flour
- ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup (29 g) dark cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons malted milk powder
- ¾ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 egg
- ⅓ cup + 1 tablespoon (79 ml) buttermilk
- ⅓ cup + 1 tablespoon (79 ml) warm water
- 1 ½ teaspoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the frosting:
- ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- ¼ cup (31 g) malted milk powder
- 1 ½ cups (180 g) powdered sugar
- ¼ cup (22 g) dark cocoa powder
- 4 tablespoons milk
- ½ tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 °F (177 °C). Spray and line the bottom of two 6-inch cake pans with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, malted milk powder, baking soda, and baking powder.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together egg, buttermilk, water, vegetable oil.
- Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients then pour the wet ingredients into the well and gently fold and stir the dry and wet ingredients together until a batter forms. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the bowl to make sure there’s no remaining flour.
- Once the batter is just mixed, divide evenly amongst the prepared cake pans.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes come out clean.
- Let cool for 10 minutes then invert and transfer onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
- While the cakes are cooling, make the frosting.
- Beat together all the ingredients for the frosting. The consistency should be thick but spreadable.
- Once the cakes are done cooling, place one layer onto a cake stand or whatever you will be serving it on. Put some frosting in the center of the cake then place the other layer on top. Gently press down.
- Use the rest of the frosting to frost the cake.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
There are affiliate links within this post.
I just made this cake for an anniversary. OH MY YUM. I did double the frosting recipe just because I like more lol. It was so yummy, thanks for the recipe!
that’s amazing!!! yay!!
Hi! How tall does the cake end up being?
Hi, about 6 inches.
I’m wondering if I’m reading the recipe wrong… The cake batter only calls for 1 1/2 tsp oil? That seems like such a small amount for a must chocolate cake! But it’s baking in the oven now so I’ll update my comment/question when we have a taste test. ? Thanks for the recipe!
Hi, yes, only 1 1/2 teaspoon of oil! I hope you enjoyed!
Hi Julie! I know this is meant for two but had a dinner party Saturday night for four with lots of rich food so wanted just a few bites of dessert . Served this yummy cake. My husbands friends first comment was “holy shit this is fucking good.” No one understood my hysterical laughter. :)
LOL, that is truly amazing!! I am so so happy this cake was a success at your dinner party!
Love that your recipes are perfect for 2! I normally halve the regular recipes to make a smaller batch as we are only 2 in our household!
Thanks so much, Ines!!
I love malt so to intensify the flavor I sprinkled a little malt powder over the top. This cake is perfect for a romantic dinner for two. We love cake but a full size cake always goes to waste. Thank you!
Yay!!! So glad you made this already!
I don’t think that using the F word is appropriate for your column so therefore I would like you to take me off of your daily one that comes. Thank you very much
Thank you for telling me what is appropriate for my own website that I pay for you to get free recipes from. I’d love to know: do you watch R-rated movies? Do you watch any Netflix or television shows? Pretty sure F-bombs fly around these days. I’ll gladly unsubscribe you since I pay per-subscriber for the email service too. I’d rather pay for someone that appreciates my hard work than one that judges it based on the language I choose to use. Have a fucking great weekend.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JULIE!! I hope you are enjoying a really fun day, doing exactly what you want! This cake looks amazing! Maltesers have always been one of my very favorite things. One question, though: HOW ON EARTH DID THIS CAKE LAST FIVE DAYS AT YOUR HOUSE?? I’d give it about one hour at my house haha!
Thank you!! Hahahah, I hear ya. Willpower!!
Happy birthday! *<:) This looks amazing!
Question – what brand of malted milk powder do you use, and where do you buy it? Also, is malted milk powder different from Ovaltine/Horlicks?
Thank you! I bought the Carnation brand. It is the same as the Ovaltine/Horlicks but make sure it says ‘malt’ on the package.
I need to go out and get some 6″ cake pans now!
Yes, you do! They’re the perfect size for mini cakes.