Drip cakes have taking the baking world by storm. They’re elegant, trendy, and surprisingly easy to make. You can make this drip cake in just four simple steps.
Desserts that are low-effort but pleasing to the eye are my favorite to make. This cake is guaranteed to impress a crowd at any special occasion with its dark chocolate ganache drips. If you love this, you will love our gluten free lemon drizzle cake and gluten free carrot cake.
My chocolate lovers out there are going to love this recipe and my chocolate orange cake recipe with marshmallow frosting and our bento cake as well. There’s nothing better than a delicious chocolate cake that’s easy to make and pleasing to the eye.
And if you want something a bit more unique, our cakesicles and Dr Pepper cake (or Dr Pepper cupcakes) are also a fun option!
If you’re not a chocolate fan, you’ll love my gluten-free apple cake that’s perfect for fall. For something more light hearted, try my gluten-free lemon poppyseed cake.
Sometimes I like to spice things up and serve a non-traditional dessert like this vegan chocolate sauce & dessert nachos. However, cake recipes like this decadent chocolate drip cake are easier for a larger crowd.
What is the drip made of on a drip cake?
The drip on a drip cake is made with heavy cream and some type of chocolate. You can use white chocolate or milk chocolate for the ganache depending on flavor and color preference.
A white chocolate ganache mixed with food coloring is perfect for a fun colored drip cake. This option allows you to get more creative with cake design as well.
What’s in a drip cake?
When I said this recipe was simple, I meant it! You’ll only need three ingredients for this chocolate ganache drip cake.
Prepared cake
You’ll need one prepared cake of choice with buttercream frosting. I prefer chocolate or vanilla buttercream and recommend a 2-3 layered cake for aesthetics.
Heavy whipping cream
Heavy cream is an essential ingredient when making any ganache. It helps the ganache reach a smooth consistency that’s spreadable.
Chocolate chips
I like using chocolate chips for this recipe but you can use bright white candy melts, white chocolate chips, chopped chocolate pieces, or whatever you have on hand.
How to make a drip cake
You’re going to want to start the drip technique with a cold cake for best results. But after your cake is chilled, there’s only four easy steps.
Step 1: Heat the heavy cream for 45 seconds in the microwave using a glass bowl, until it’s just starting to bubble.
Step 2: Remove the bowl from the microwave and pour in the chocolate chips (I recommend guittard) making sure they are fully covered with the cream and let this sit for at least a minute
Step 3: Stir gently until the cream and chocolate are combined. If some of the chocolate is still not melted, you can heat the mixture again for 20 seconds, and then stir, repeated as needed in 20 second increments
Step 4: Cool the mixture cool until it is barely warm to the touch then using a spoon, gently pour a teaspoon of ganache over the edge of your chilled buttercream cake and continue until you’ve gone around the whole cake (I recommend starting slow to make sure you like the drip consistency)
Pro Tip: Do a test drip to make sure you like the consistency. For a bigger and slower drip, use cooler ganache. For a fast, drippier look, use warmer ganache.
Alternative Method
You can also use a bottle to drip the ganache instead of a spoon. This allows a bit more precision but I just love using the classic spoon method myself.
Once you’ve gone around the cakes edge, you can fill in the top with more ganache and smooth it out with a spatula. Add your favorite toppings and then serve for a major WOW factor!
Pro Tip: You can buy a store bought plain frosted cake to make this drip cake simpler for you. Whether you go homemade or store-bought, it will be great!
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Drip Cake (Simple How-To)
Ingredients
- 1 prepared cake frosted with buttercream (2-3 layer recommended)
Chocolate Drip Ganache
- 1/3 cup of heavy whipping cream
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Chill your frosted cake in the fridge for 30 minutes or if you are on a time crunch, 10 minutes in the freezer will do (your buttercream should be firm to the touch)
Chocolate Drip Ganache
- Heat the heavy cream for 45 seconds in the microwave using a glass bowl, until it's just starting to bubble
- Remove the bowl from the microwave and pour in the chocolate chips (I recommend guittard) making sure they are fully covered with the cream and let this sit for at least a minute
- Stir gently until the cream and chocolate are combined. If some of the chocolate is still not melted, you can heat the mixture again for 20 seconds, and then stir, repeated as needed in 20 second increments
- Cool the mixture cool until it is barely warm to the touch then using a spoon, gently pour a teaspoon of ganache over the edge of your chilled buttercream cake and continue until you've gone around the whole cake (I recommend starting slow to make sure you like the drip consistency)
Chenée says
So glad I found these tips! My drip cakes are going to be looking better than ever! Thank you!
Cathleen says
This is so useful!! I love making drip cake, but I never make it look any good hahaha. Thank you so much for this!
Sharon says
This drip cake is really fun to make. The step-by-step instructions make it easy to get the perfect effect.
Colleen says
I didn’t know it was so easy to make a drip cake. Your instructions and tips were so helpful and my cake was a success. Thank you!
Tracy says
Finally!! I’ve done it! I’ve been looking at these kinds of cakes on Pinterest wondering how they do it, and now I know. Great instructions and tips, my cake was Pinterest worthy!
Chandice says
I am so happy to hear this! 🙂
Ann says
Your pictures of dripping the frosting was very helpful. I always second guess myself on how much I should be dripping, etc.
Erica Leigh says
This looks so delicious. I love your step by step instructions, making something that seems tricky easy! I am excited to make this drip cake again this weekend for a birthday.
Marta says
As a pastry chef of 20 years, I commend you on writing a drip cake tutorial that is easy to follow, thorough, and well-explained. I love drip cakes when they’re done right and this is so right!
Chandice says
WOW, what a compliment! Thank you so much 🙂
Amanda says
This is such a great tutorial! Thanks for all those tips — so helpful. You made it seem very simple, and my cake turned out beautifully.
Linda says
I’ve always seen awesome-looking drip cakes and wanted to make one but it looked too hard. Now that I’ve tried your recipe I think I’ll be making them all season long! This one reminds me of my favorite black and white cookies. 🙂
Shannon says
I’ve always wanted to try a drip cake but I thought it would be too hard. Your instructions were super helpful and I was able to make this delicious cake! And it looked good!!! Thanks for this recipe.