Portillo Chocolate Cake Recipe: A Sweet Delight

In my pursuit of becoming a cake recipe expert, I’ve stumbled upon a gem of a recipe – the Portillo Chocolate Cake.

If you’re a fan of decadent chocolate delights, you’re in for a treat. This is a very rich Portillo chocolate cake recipe used for a sauce and in the cake itself.

This version is vegan, but feel free to substitute heavy cream or milk for almond milk to make it more traditionally sweet.

This cake is a delightful combination of rich cocoa, creamy frosting, and a hint of coffee, making it a must-try for all cake enthusiasts.

This recipe will make enough cakes depending on how big you want them and how thick you cut them.

This article will walk you through creating this heavenly dessert, from start to finish, and explore all the delicious details along the way.

Portillo Chocolate Cake Recipe
Portillo Chocolate Cake Recipe

How To Prepare Portillo Chocolate Cake Recipe?

Preparation Time: 20 hour

Cooking Time: 40 minutes

Serving Size: 8 to 10 people.

Equipment:

  • Two 8-inch round cake pans.
  • Parchment paper.
  • Electric mixer.
  • Mixing bowls.
  • Whisk.
  • Cooling racks.
  • Offset spatula for frosting.
  • A microwave-safe bowl for melting chocolate (if you don’t have a double boiler).

Ingredients:

Now, it’s time to gather the essential ingredients to make the Portillo Chocolate Cake:

For the Cake:

  • 1 and ¾ cups all-purpose flour.
  • 2 cups granulated sugar.
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder.
  • 1 and ½ teaspoons baking powder.
  • 1 and ½ teaspoons baking soda.
  • 1 teaspoon salt.
  • 2 large eggs.
  • 1 cup buttermilk.
  • ½ cup vegetable oil.
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract.
  • 1 cup boiling water.
  • 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules (optional, but enhances the chocolate flavor).

For the Frosting:

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened.
  • 3 and ½ cups powdered sugar.
  • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder.
  • 4 tablespoons whole milk.
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract.

How To Make Portillo Chocolate Cake Recipe

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cake Preparation

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line the bottoms of the two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Add the eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla to the dry ingredients. Mix until well combined.

In a separate bowl, dissolve the coffee granules in the boiling water. Add this to the cake batter and mix until smooth.

Divide the batter equally between the two pans.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.

2. Frosting

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy and smooth.

Gradually add the powdered sugar and cocoa, mixing well.

Pour in the milk and vanilla extract and continue to beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.

Once the cakes are fully cooled, spread a layer of frosting on top of one cake layer.

Place the second cake layer on top and frost the top and sides of the entire cake.

Nutrition Facts per Serving

  • Calories: 380 kcal
  • Fat: 15g
  • Carbohydrates: 58g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Sugar: 41g
  • Protein: 4g

Why Is Portillos Cake So Good?

Portillo’s chocolate cake is a popular dessert known for its rich, moist flavor and velvety texture. There are a few reasons why Portillo’s cake is so good:

1. High-quality ingredients: Portillo’s uses high-quality ingredients in their cake, such as real chocolate, butter, and eggs. This results in a cake with a rich, decadent flavor.

2. Secret ingredient: Portillo’s cake is made with a secret ingredient that is rumored to be mayonnaise.

Mayonnaise adds moisture and richness to the cake, and it also helps to keep the cake from crumbling.

3. Baking process: Portillo’s cake is baked to perfection. The cake is baked until it is just cooked through, which results in a moist and tender texture.

In addition to the above factors, Portillo’s cake is also popular because it is relatively inexpensive and easy to find.

Portillo’s restaurants are located all over the Midwest, and their cake is available for purchase in both whole and slice form.

Does Portillos Put Mayo In Their Cake Shake?

Yes, Portillo’s does put mayo in their cake shake. This is a secret ingredient that has been used for decades, and it is one of the things that makes Portillo’s cake shake so unique and delicious.

The mayo adds a richness and creaminess to the shake that is impossible to achieve with other ingredients.

It also helps to emulsify the ingredients and create a smooth and consistent texture.

While some people may be hesitant to try a shake with mayo in it, those who have had the pleasure of trying Portillo’s cake shake agree that it is one of the best shakes they have ever had.

The mayo is completely undetectable in terms of flavor, and it simply serves to enhance the overall experience of the shake.

So next time you’re at Portillo’s, be sure to give their cake shake a try. You won’t be disappointed!

Does Portillos Have Fire Almond Milk?

According to the Portillo’s website, they currently do not carry fire almond milk.

However, they do have a variety of other milk options available, including regular 2% milk, whole milk, skim milk, and lactose-free milk.

You may also be able to request a special order for fire almond milk, but it is best to call your local Portillo’s restaurant to confirm.

What Is The Secret To A Perfect Cake?

The secret to getting a perfect cake is ensuring the batter is as smooth and homogeneous as possible. This will make sure that it rises well in the oven.

This should be done by sifting your dry ingredients, mixing your wet ingredients, and then combining them before baking.

How To Store Portillos Chocolate Cake Recipe?

Portillos chocolate cake is best served the day it is made. This can be frozen for up to 3 months. Once the cake is defrosted and cool,

you can slice it into its portion sizes, or if you are making multiple cakes, place them in a Ziploc bag and freeze them until needed.

Conclusion

I hope that you enjoyed this Portillo chocolate cake recipe, and I hope that you try this at home. You may have to make a few adjustments to make it a vegan cake.

Some people don’t want almond milk in their chocolate cake, but it is the perfect combination of the two ingredients for most people.

FAQ

What Is Portillos Chocolate Cake Made Of?

Portillos chocolate cake is made of good old-fashioned ingredients like flour, sugar, and a little cocoa powder. Their chocolate sauce is also added, giving it that flavour kick.

Can I Make Portillos Chocolate Cake Shake At Home?

Yes, you can make a Portillos chocolate cake shake at home by combining all their ingredients and blending them in a blender until they are smooth enough to serve.

What Kind Of Milk Is Used In Portillos Chocolate Cake?

Portillos chocolate cake uses almond milk. They are right on the bottle with this information. This will give you a chocolate flavour without the dairy of regular milk.