Chocolate 30th Birthday Cake Recipe UK
Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users
Category
Birthdays
Servings
12
Prep Time
30 minutes
Cook Time
45 minutes
Calories
700
Celebrate a milestone in grand style with this sumptuous 30th Chocolate Birthday Cake Recipe, merging the silky smoothness of milk chocolate with the deep, bold essence of dark chocolate.
Crowned by a bountiful array of fresh berries, it’s a breathtaking showstopper that brings colour, texture, and unforgettable flavour to any celebration.
Perfect for marking a special occasion, this layered masterpiece offers a delightful balance of sweetness and richness, promising that each slice is a memorable treat worthy of the big day.
Ingredients
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1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
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½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
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¼ cup (20g) unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Dutch-processed)
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1 teaspoon baking powder
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½ teaspoon baking soda
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½ teaspoon salt
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1 large egg, room temperature
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¾ cup (180ml) milk, room temperature
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¼ cup (60ml) vegetable oil (e.g., canola or sunflower)
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½ teaspoon vanilla extract
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2 ounces (55g) milk chocolate, melted and slightly cooled
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1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
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¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
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⅓ cup (30g) unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-processed or natural)
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1 teaspoon baking powder
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½ teaspoon baking soda
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½ teaspoon salt
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1 large egg, room temperature
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½ cup (120ml) buttermilk (or whole milk + ½ tbsp vinegar), room temperature
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¼ cup (60ml) strong brewed coffee (or hot water)
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¼ cup (60ml) vegetable oil
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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(Note: You will bake these layers separately, or you can mix them one after the other if you have two pans.)
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1½ cups (340g) unsalted butter, softened
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4 cups (480g) powdered sugar, sifted
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½ cup (45g) unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted
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3–4 tablespoons milk or cream (adjust to desired consistency)
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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Pinch of salt (optional)
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1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced or halved
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½ cup fresh blueberries
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½ cup fresh raspberries
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Optional: a light dusting of powdered sugar for a decorative finish
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“30” cake topper (acrylic, wooden, or metallic)
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Optional: a few chocolate curls or shavings
Milk Chocolate Cake (1 Layer)
Dark Chocolate Cake (1 Layer)
Chocolate Buttercream (Filling & Frosting)
Berry Topping
Additional Decoration
Directions
1. Preheat & Prep
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper (one for the milk chocolate layer, one for the dark chocolate layer).
2. Milk Chocolate Cake Layer
Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk egg, milk, oil, and vanilla. Stir in the melted milk chocolate until combined.
Combine: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring until just smooth (avoid overmixing).
Bake: Pour batter into one prepared cake pan. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Cool: Let cool in the pan for 5–10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
3. Dark Chocolate Cake Layer
Dry Ingredients: In another medium bowl, whisk flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the egg, buttermilk, coffee (or hot water), oil, and vanilla extract.
Combine: Slowly add dry mixture to the wet mixture, stirring until the batter is smooth (it will be somewhat thin).
Bake: Pour into the second prepared cake pan. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
Cool: Allow to cool in the pan for 5–10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
4. Chocolate Buttercream
Beat Butter: In a mixing bowl (stand mixer or handheld), beat softened butter until creamy.
Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt if desired, starting on low speed.
Vanilla & Milk: Mix in vanilla extract, followed by 1 tablespoon of milk or cream at a time until a smooth, spreadable consistency is reached.
Whip: Increase speed to medium-high and beat for 1–2 minutes, creating a fluffy buttercream.
5. Assemble the Cake
Level Layers: If needed, level the tops of both cake layers.
Bottom Layer: Place the milk chocolate cake layer on a serving plate or cake board. Spread a generous layer of chocolate buttercream on top.
Top Layer: Carefully place the dark chocolate cake layer over the frosted bottom layer.
Frost: Cover the top and sides of the stacked cake with the remaining buttercream, smoothing with an offset spatula or bench scraper.
Chill (Optional): For a cleaner finish, you can briefly chill the cake for 15–20 minutes to set the buttercream.
6. Decorate with Berries
Berry Arrangement: Generously top the cake with fresh strawberries (halved or sliced), blueberries, and raspberries.
Finishing Touches:
Gently dust with powdered sugar if you like a frosted look.
Insert the “30” topper at the center or slightly off to one side.
For extra chocolate flair, sprinkle on a few chocolate shavings or curls.
Recipe Notes
If you have any questions how to make this 30th Birthday Chocolate Cake using this recipe, please post a comment below and we will get back to you.
Servings:The recipe typically yields about 12 slices of cake.
Calories per serving:700 calories per slice.
Remember:Please tag #whitakerschocolates with photos of your homemade birthday cake with chocolate.
Serving Suggestions for Your 30th Birthday Cake
1. Fresh & Bubbly: Elevate the occasion by pairing each slice with a glass of sparkling wine or prosecco. The bright fizz contrasts beautifully with the cake’s rich chocolate layers.
2. Classic Cream: Serve alongside freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to balance the bold cocoa flavours with a cool, creamy note.
3. Coffee Companion: Accompany your cake with a cup of strong coffee, latte, or cappuccino. The aromatic warmth of coffee complements the layered chocolate indulgence.
4. Berry Accents: Add an extra scattering of fresh berries on each plated slice for extra colour and a fresh, fruity twist that brightens every bite.
5. Drizzle Options: Offer small bowls of warm chocolate or caramel sauce so guests can drizzle their preferred finishing touch, adding another layer of sweetness and flair.
Why Do We Celebrate Birthdays With Cake?
Cakes have long been a symbol of festivity, warmth, and community.
Ancient civilisations, including the Greeks, are often credited with influencing our modern cake tradition by offering sweet breads to honour deities.
Over time, this practice evolved into a way of marking personal milestones. In more recent centuries, advances in baking techniques and the greater availability of sugar allowed cakes to become a highlight of special gatherings.
Presenting a birthday cake, complete with candles, is a joyful ritual that brings people together in celebration—combining indulgent flavours, a bright display, and the communal excitement of making a wish.
Why Do We Celebrate 30th Birthdays?
Turning 30 is often seen as a major milestone, symbolising a shift from the initial years of adulthood to a more established phase of life.
It’s a moment to celebrate personal and professional achievements so far and to look ahead with optimism.
Many cultures have their own unique ways of marking this landmark, underlining the sense of achievement that comes from three decades of growth, learning, and memorable experiences.
As a result, celebrating a 30th birthday offers friends, family, and the individual an opportunity to gather, reflect, and look forward to the adventures yet to come.
