This Swedish chocolate cake is not only one of the best I’ve ever eaten, but the easiest, too. One pan only and no whisking required. Just melt the butter and stir everything else in and you’re only 20 minutes away from oozy, gooey, richly chocolaty heaven!
Easy chocolate desserts like this always call my name, so when I saw it in one of those free supermarket food magazines recently, I filed it away in the ‘to make’ section in my head.Usually these ideas float around there for a long time before they (maybe) make it to the blog, but I couldn’t get this one out of my head.
Because, well, chocolate. And can you see how gooey and oozy and chocolaty it is? How could I resist? How can YOU resist?
What’s kladdkaka, anyway?
The recipe in the magazine was called Swedish chocolate cake, which in Sweden is called Kladdkaka. Apparently this is a very famous cake in Sweden and everyone has their favourite recipe for it. The cake should be very rich and chocolaty with a delicate crisp and chewy top but soft and gooey inside. A bit like a cross between fudgy brownies and a chocolate soufflé.
The easiest chocolate cake you can imagine… all in one bowl!
After I began to do a bit of research on this special-sounding Swedish chocolate cake, I found out from Top With Cinnamon’s Izy Hossack that there is a much easier way to make it than in the supermarket recipe I saw. So ridiculously easy that it only took me about 5 minutes to get it into the oven.
ALL you do to make this kladdkaka is line and grease one 18-20cm cake pan (a spring form pan is best), melt the butter in a saucepan, stir in sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla essence and flour and bake for 20 minutes.
But look how incredibly chocolaty it looks!
I really think this easy chocolate cake is hard to beat … certainly as a quick chocolate desert to whip up for guests that looks quite impressive even though it’s only one tier and doesn’t have any kind of frosting.
So how do you serve kladdkaka?
Swedish chocolate cake doesn’t need any frosting or topping. Just turn it out and sprinkle generously with powdered sugar/icing sugar or cocoa powder.
There. It looks quite impressive just as it is, doesn’t it?
If you like, you can serve it with whipped cream and ice cream and some strawberries or raspberries.
I’ve made similar sticky chocolate things to this that tasted quite good too but they took 3 or 4 times longer to make. This cake only has SIX ingredients in it.
Just try not to overbake the kladdkaka because you don’t want to lose that lovely sticky gloopy-ness in the centre. The cake is done when the top is firm but breaks quite easily when you put a bit of pressure on it.
Can you make this Swedish chocolate cake ahead?
Yes! Make it a day or two in advance and keep it in the fridge if you like, then simply warm each piece separately in a microwave for about 20 seconds.
If there are any leftovers (and this is a big ‘if’!) pop them into the fridge and steal little bits every time you open the fridge. Well, this is what I always do. Oops. You’ll find when cold this chocolate cake tastes just like fudge! You could even cut it into small squares and tell your friends that it actually IS fudge!
Even Mr. Scrummy, who doesn’t usually like chocolaty cake things of any kind, loved this quick chocolate dessert. It was so scarily good that we ate half and froze the rest to stop ourselves from eating it all in one go.
This yummy chocolate cake would be perfect to serve to guests at Easter with mini chocolate eggs sprinkled over the top, or really for any special occasion.
Here’s a short video to show you exactly how easy this is to make:
To help you with this recipe:
I like to use a 7 to 8 inch springform cake pan like this one to make this gooey chocolate cake. Because it’s such a gooey cake, it’s quite delicate when just cooked and this makes it really easy to turn out onto a plate or cake stand.
P.S. If you like this quick and easy one bowl chocolate cake, I’m pretty sure you’ll like my 5 minute chocolate pots too! You only need 4 ingredients (3 if you miss out the vanilla).
6-ingredient gooey Swedish chocolate cake (kladdkaka)
Quite possibly the quickest, easiest, gooey-est (and so best) chocolate cake you'll ever make. This has only 6 ingredients and takes only 30 minutes to make and bake from start to finish. A cake that is so perfect for serving to guests... or just scoffing at home in front on the TV!
Ingredients
- 4.75 ounces salted butter
- 0.5 cups cocoa powder (plus 1 tablespoon) unsweetened, plus extra for sprinkling
- 1.75 cups sugar
- 1 cup plain flour (actually, just less than a full cup, about 0.85 cups)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 eggs lightly whisked
Instructions
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Pre-heat the oven to 180C/350F. Line the bottom of an 18-20cm/7-8in springform cake pan with a circle of baking paper, then grease the paper and the sides of the pan.
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Melt the butter in a medium saucepan, then take off the heat and set aside.
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Add the cocoa, sugar, flour and vanilla to the butter and stir a little. Then add the eggs and stir everything together until well combined.
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Pour the mixture into the cake pan and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the top is set but the centre is still gooey (the top should be firm but crack under a little pressure from your finger).
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Let the cake cool in the pan, then run a knife between the pan and the cake to loosen it, then turn out onto a plate or wire rack. Dust generously with cocoa powder and serve warm with ice cream or cream.
Recipe Notes
Recipe barely adapted from Izy Hossack’s recipe for Mail Online.
I first published this recipe in April 2015. This version has been updated with a how-to video, new photographs, a few changes to the text and nutritional info and conversion to metric measurements in the recipe.
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Wow what a delicious chocolate cake that looks like! So rich and gooey, mmmm 🙂
Thank you, June! Really happy you like it!
I love a good chocolate dessert and this looks so good. A big scoop of vanilla ice cream and I’m complete 🙂
Yes, I must say a scoop of ice cream finishes this off nicely!
I love how easy this cake is!! One pan and no whisking count me in!
Yup … that’s what go me, Kelley!
Wow–most definitely my kind of cake! Izy is a genius, no? 😉 I also find that the simplest recipes in chocolate are usually the fudgiest (and therefore the best)! totally bookmarking this, thanks!
Hi, Ala! She sure is a genius! There are loads of versions of this cake, but this was by far the easiest, and I can’t imagine a nicer tasting one. Really happy you like this!
I’ve wanted to try kladdkaka for ages now! This looks HEAVENLY! I love all that gooey chocolatey goodness! Lovely recipe, Helen! 😀
Thank you so much, Jess! Try it, try it, try it! You only need about 10 minutes, remember … 🙂
Planning to make it this weekend! Family friends are coming round for dinner. Thanks for sharing the recipe, Helen! 😀 x
You’re so welcome, Jess … I hope it doesn’t disappoint! (don’t worry, it won’t!)
Seriously? This is GOLD!! I have to make this. Have to! You know this is my type of food!
I am thinking….what if I make it in a brownie pan? Isn’t it just like a brownie?? But so much faster to make than the usual recipes!! 🙂
Crazy pinning about to happen 🙂
I thought this might be your kind of thing, Friend!!
I think this would be rather brownie-like if you made it in a brownie pan, but I think it’s a bit more delicate than brownies … definitely more like a souffle … but with a brownie top! It seems a shame to shove it in a brownie pan when it looks quite posh in round cake form.
However you make it though, DEFINITELY easy to make than most brownie and choc cake recipes … but just as nice, if not nicer (yes, definitely nicer!) 🙂
:O
This cake looks peeeerfect! So gooey, so chocolatey and easy.
Thanks, Karla!! I don’t wish to blow my own trumpet here, but this really did turn out perfectly. Hope you are tempted to give it a go!
I have home visitors coming soon and I think I know how to end the meal! This looks fantastic and so great to have these types of recipes when you are pressed for time! Thanks for sharing, Helen, and I will be sure to pin for later and for others to see as well.
Oops, sorry, Lori … now I am even tempting my friends with healthy blogs to make unhealthy things. I guess that’s a massive compliment though, in a way. Really glad you like this and hope your friends enjoy it (I would say it’s impossible not to!)
Yes…yes I am def making this!!! I love IZZY from Top with Cinnamon!!! I made her Nutella Cookies stuffed with Salted Caramel and they were da bomb! This is going into my MUST MAKE file!!!
So happy to have tempted you to make this, Mila!! Oh my goodness, you are tempting me with the sound of those Nutella cookies now! They certainly do sound like ‘da bomb’!
OOh I love ooey gooey chocolate cakes! I so wish I could reach through my screen right now! The last time I had a Swedish cake was at IKEA – and it had pieces of Daim candy in it!
Hmmm … I wonder why they don’t sell this at Ikea? Maybe I should pop it in the ‘suggestions box’ next time I go there .. haha!
Wonder why I don’t make gooey cakes more often, since they taste so good! So quick and extremely easy to make! Pinning of course 🙂
Thanks for the pin (as usual!) Mira. I’m glad I’m tempting you to make this!
Ooo… it’s like a giant ooey goeey brownie! I’m totally craving this right now! Pinning for sure and sending this to my Swedish mother 😉
Ooh, now I’m scared. Your mother will probably say it’s not authentic at all … teehee!
Helen I love this cake!! And I love that it is so easy to make!
Thanks, Annie! I’m in love with it!
This recipe sounds delicious, and the pictures are just awesome! Wow! Thanks for sharing, this will be my next cake!
Thank you so much, Cecilia! Glad you like it!
I can’t believe how easy this is! And that texture too 🙂 I was sure that you had to whip the egg whites but no, it’s mix everything together. This recipe is a keeper!
I KNOW! Some recipes for this do require you to whisk up the eggs, but honestly, I don’t see how this could have been made any better. The whisking is just not necessary!
Really wishing I could pop over the pond and help you eat this cake Helen! It almost looks like a brownie cake and I totally agree, no frosting required. What a perfect afternoon pick-me-up. Nap or cake. Chocolate cake please! It’s ooey gooey alright. And can I make a confession, I’ve never made a real chocolate cake before! It’s time.
To be honest, Laura, I hadn’t really made too many chocolate cakes, either. Just brownies. And I totally agree on ‘cake over nap’! 😉
No time to comment. I’m going downstairs to make this Right Now. Seriously.
Hahaha … hope it didn’t disappoint! 🙂
You had me at gooey! I just decided I don’t eat enough chocolate. Thank you for the reminder. I think I’ll start here! Pinned!
Ha! I wish I could say I don’t eat enough chocolate! I’m not sure I believe you though, Annie 😉
Looks so moist and scrumptious!
Thank you, Abigail!
So…this is like a big fudgy cake brownie but BETTER. I love it!
Ha … I guess so!! Couldn’t have put it better! 🙂
Wow this looks good! And I’m totally blown away by the short ingredient list. Thanks for sharing, Helen!
You’re so welcome, Marissa! It is amazingly simple, isn’t it?
I have heard of this cake before but never tried it myself. After reading your description my mouth is watering and I am craving it so bad! It looks like the most perfect comfort food. Thanks so much for sharing it, Helen!
I actually feel a bit bad now for tempting so many people with this wicked cake! At least you only need a thin(ish) slither as it’s so rich! Comfort food it certainly is! 🙂
Wow, wow, wow – this looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it. Thanks Helen 🙂
Hello, Heather!! So glad you like it. Please do try it … and let me know what you think!
Recipes like this call my name too! I love chocolate and ooey gooeyness! I always under-bake things just so I can have that gooey center, it is so freaking good! I love all the delicious chocolate going on in here 🙂
I KNOW … I wish things like this were good for me because I could eat them every single day!
I’m wondering why I’ve never heard of this being that is so chocolatey and SO easy to make! I need this in my repertoire of chocolate desserts — it looks amazing! 🙂
Thanks, Marcie! I’d never heard of it until I spotted it in the supermarket magazine but I’ll certainly be making it now a LOT!
Uhm, YESSSSSSS. There’s nothing better than an intensely chocolate, ooey gooey cake. Am I right? Yea, I know I’m right. This looks epic!
Of COURSE you’re right!! I’m feeling an urge to make another one of these already … oooh nooo!
Tout ce que j’en besoin c’est du chocolat ! Ton gâteaux est génial Helen !
Merci beaucoup, Eva! Qu’est-ce qu’on ferait sans le chocolat?!
Helen!
Can’t… Resist …. Need…. This…. Gooey… Chocolate…. Slice of heaven!
What a beautiful dessert recipe you have created, stumbled upon this and instantly fell in love with it.
Life is unfair because this cake is over there and not here, on a plate, on my table, for me to devour.
Pinning this and following you. Five stars, cause you’re awesome!
Thank you, Levan! I’m suitably blushing at this comment right now. You’re awesome, too! (oh, and thanks for the follow!)
Just adore this decadent temptation, and we would be happy to be able freeze even a tiny piece! Looks truly gooey and Über chocolaty 🙂
Thank you, girls! This is definitely my new go-to entertaining dessert!
Only six?? Wow, color me impressed! I’m all about that thick fudgy texture too – biting into this would make any better automatically better!
A bit of this sure does make everything better. Glad I managed to impress you, Mary Frances!
This cake looks sooo good! Love a good gooey chocolate cake.
Thanks, Jenny! And thanks so much for passing by and taking the time to comment 😉
Thank you, Jenny! And thanks for passing by!
That looks incredibly moist and delicious. It would make the perfect afternonk pick me up treat.
Sure would, Dannii! Not so good for the waist-line, but OK for a treat!!
You had e at gooey 🙂
Thank you, Nancy!
I cannot resist a good looking gooey chocolate cake! Pinned to try it later 🙂
I hope you do get around to trying this out some time, Oana. I don’t think you’ll regret it!
Funtastic cake loved making it and the kids enjoyed it thank you!!!!
Hi Ronny! I like nothing better than hearing that someone made and appreciated a recipe! So happy you and the family enjoyed it and thanks for taking the time to pop to the site and comment!
Trying tomorrow for mother’s day 🙂 Will let you know how it goes!!
Oooh, the pressure! Just don’t tell your mum that it was my recipe if it goes wrong 😉
Made this on the weekend for lunch with the girls!! I made it as a brownie worked PERFECTLY! And it was so fast to make. Best trick ever. This is a keeper!!
Oooh, I’m so excited that the brownies worked out for you! It’s good to know that the mixture can become brownies, too. I’ll do it that way next time!
Nagi, did you do anything different, or simply make it in a square pan and cut into bars?
Hi, Marlene! This is Helen, but I think I remember Nagi telling me that yes, she just made this in a brownie pan! Give it a go and let me know what you think!
I can’t remember if I came back to tell you that I made this as a brownie. It was sensational! SO much faster than the usual recipe and I swear, there was barely no difference!! My friends scoffed them down 🙂 THANKS FOR THE RECIPE!!
Oh, you did come back and tell me, my sweet! I still haven’t tried them as brownies, but it’s GREAT to know that you’ve done the testing for me! I used to like Nigella’s brownies (they are really good!) but you’re right, these are almost the same but for MUCH less work!
P.S. Do try it the ‘cake way’ some time – looks a lot more impressive than brownies!
are the recipe amounts listed in ounces by volume or weight? I e, two oz flour is 1/4 cup, or whatever amount of flour weighs two oz? Would love to try the cake, but no idea what those things weigh.
Hi, Sandy. The amounts are by weight. Sorry for any confusion! As I’m in the UK, I tend to list my amounts in weight not cups. Hope you do give this a go – let me know how you get on if you do! I’m sure you’ll enjoy it … I was in heaven when I first tried this!
Found this site through googling kladdkaka.
Made it fir dinner party, HUGE success
Only wish I’d made 2!
Thanks
Hello Sophia!! Thank you SO much for popping by and letting me know that you made this and enjoyed it. I’m thrilled! (Oh, now you’re making ME want to make it again!) 🙂
Oh, my, this was fabulous! And how right you are, Helen–so easy yet so good! I served it at a special luncheon and everyone raved about it. And when I described it as a dessert option to my book group, they insisted I make it for tomorrow’s get together. My eggs are coming to room tempereature as we speak. Thank you for sharing this, and to Nagi of Recipe Tin Eats for alerting me to this keeper of a recipe.
Oh, hi again, Marlene! I didn’t see this second comment before I commented on the first! I’m happy whenever a reader makes one of my recipes and is satisfied, but I’m even happier that you came to me via the lovely Nagi! Did you make it brownie-style in the end? 🙂
I have made this about 6 times and passed it on to my friend (a chef). Amazing, easy as and DELICIOUS! Thank you so much x
Thank you so much for taking the time to pop in and leave this lovely feedback, Jules. It means a lot to me. I must say this is the one recipe that seems to please everyone! It’s just so fool-proof and yet delicious and perfect for feeding to guests. I hope your chef friend likes it, too … what a compliment! 🙂
Wow – such an easy recipe and a stunning result. My new favourite chocolate cake recipe.
Hi Danielle. Thank you so much for popping over to give some feedback. This really is an amazing (and amazingly easy) chocolate cake, isn’t it? Those clever Swedes! So happy you enjoyed it! 🙂
Hi Helen, what type of sugar do you use? I’ve just made this for the second time and used soft dark brown sugar this time. Used caster sugar first time around, and although it’s still pretty good, I’m not as happy this time. Wondering if it’s my sugar?
Hi Danielle! I just use ordinary sugar. To be honest I’ve never tried it with brown, and I would have guessed it would be fine, but I think you’ve just tested out the theory for me. I’d stick to plain old caster or ordinary sugar if you make it a third time! 🙂
Looks seriously amazing!
Thanks Rachel – do try it!!
Only 6 ingredients is RIGHT up my alley! Thanks so much. Positively delicious!
Thank you for the seal of approval, Jessica! This is my go-to fail-safe entertaining dessert. Never disappoints!
Perfect delicious and easy recipe for all chocolate lovers! 🙂
Yes! Chocolate lovers unite!
Ooh, this looks perfect for my chocoholic family! Adding it to my baking list!!!
So happy you approve, Liz. Thanks for the top rating!
You weren’t joking when you said gooey!
This is absolute love! Chocolate cakes are right up my alley. this recipe is right on the top of my list.
Thanks for this, all the love from Nepal xoxo
Hello Ushmana! I’m so happy you enjoyed this. I know, true gooey-ness, right?!
This recipe looks amazing but it also looks like one that was converted from weights to volumes. If so could you pay the original weights? Thanks. Haven’t made it yet but will!
Hi Paula. Actually the recipe has been converted from an English recipe so the measurements were originally in metric. Did you spot the converter button below the recipe? If you prefer to weigh the ingredients in ounces though, these are the measurements you need:
cocoa powder: 1.75 ounces
sugar: 12 ounces
flour: 4 ounces
Good luck!
Oh my gosh, what a desert!
I made this one day when I was searching for gooey chocolatey desert 😂😂 I had a craving lol
I have made this so many times since! I love this recipe! Total brownie, cakey, deliciousness!!!
Thank you lol
Hi Bec, what a lovely message! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave your amazing feedback. This really is addictive, isn’t it? I’ve made it soooo many times, and it never disappoints! 🙂
Wow, this recipe is so simple and the result is lush – gooey in the middle, chewy at the outside and so so tasty!
Hi Jane! Thanks so much for bothering to leave your review. I’m so glad you enjoyed this as much as we always do. I find it’s a great crowd-pleasing fail-safe recipe to have up your sleeve! Naughty but very nice!
Such an easy recipe for such a rich flavor! I baked mine enough to have the texture similar to the middle of a gooey brownie. I was worried that the edges would get crispy faster than the middle would cook, but it baked relatively evenly throughout. I added chocolate chips for personal preference. Thanks!
Hi, Marie! I’m so glad you enjoyed this, and thank you so much for leaving your review – I really appreciate it! It’s also really good to know that it’s pretty unforgiving if cooked a little longer. It’s always REALLY gooey when I make it, but I like the idea of it being a bit more like a brownie. I’ll try it that way next time!
I made it in a square Pyrex dish with parchment paper and I added a half cup of fresh cherries and IT WAS TO DIE FOR 🤤🤤(but I would probably add dried cherries next time)
Hi Blaise – why have I never thought to add fruit to this? Genius!!
34 weeks pregnant and on bed rest! But this dessert was so easy I made it because I needed some chocolate! So good! I paired it with some strawberries:)
Oh wow, Darlene! Well that is a perfect excuse to eat as much of this as you like! I bet it goes deliciously with strawberries.
All the best for the rest of your pregnancy. I hope this dessert brightened up your day!
This was so good and surprisingly easy to make! (The only downside was that I burnt my finger on the pan.
Oh noooo! So sorry about your finger, Susan, but it was for a good cause!!!
1.75 cups of sugar is 175g (roughly) — not 350g!
Hi Paul! I’ve just double checked and the recipe is correct as it is. I originally posted the recipe in grams (350 grams ordinary white sugar) and the conversion is 1.75 cups sugar. Hope the recipe still turned out well for you. Basically however you look at it, there’s a lot of sugar in the recipe! But if everyone just has a little piece…
You are so right and I’m so embarrassed!
So I made it with half sugar amd it came out tasty but like dark chocolate – as you can imagine! It also didnt come out gooey – will try again with correct quantities and a little shorter in the oven – though i didnt get any complaints about v1.0 😀
Hey Paul, no problem – thanks for fessing up! Hahaha. Don’t be embarrassed – I have actually made mistakes like that before on the blog so it’s nice when people are on the lookout for them. Hope you enjoy the second more sugary version even more than the first! Trust me, it’s VERY gooey!