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Home » Desserts » Cake

The Best Filling Ideas For Chocolate Cake

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Modified: Sep 5, 2023 · Published: Sep 5, 2023 by Sophia Assunta · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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If you're looking for the best chocolate cake filling ideas, we've got your covered!  From rich chocolate ganache to a thick strawberry cake filling, these recipes are utterly irresistible!

chocolate layer cake with chocolate filling on plate.

When it comes to chocolate cake, the first thing that comes to mind is the comfort of its rich, cocoa-infused layers. But what truly makes each chocolate cake unique is the delicious fillings you'll find in between each chocolate cake layer.

It doesn't matter if you're looking to fill a chocolate layer cake, chocolate sponge cake, or chocolate Swiss roll cake, or even chocolate cupcakes, we've got a comprehensive list of the best whipped cream fillings, ganaches, fruit filling, buttercream frostings, and more to fill your favorite chocolate cake recipe! 

Chocolate Fillings

One of the most common ways to fill a chocolate cake is with more chocolate! Chocolate with chocolate is so decadent and delicious, you really can't go wrong. Here are some chocolate filling option for your chocolate cake:

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
This light and fluffy chocolate buttercream frosting is a simple and classic frosting for cakes and cupcakes and filling for cookies. Plus, with only four ingredients this easy recipe can be made in less than 10 minutes! 
Check out this recipe
chocolate buttercream on chocolate cupcakes
Chocolate Ganache
This easy chocolate ganache recipe is a perfect cake frosting or filling, or use slightly melted as a delicious glaze on top of chocolate bundt cakes!
Check out this recipe
close up of warm, cooled, and whipped ganache on cupcakes
Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
This easy chocolate cream cheese frosting uses only 6 ingredients and has 10 minute prep time, so whip up a batch of this delicious pipeable frosting for your cakes and cupcakes today!
Check out this recipe
piping chocolate cream cheese frosting on cupcake
Chocolate Swiss Meringue Buttercream Frosting
This bakery style chocolate Swiss meringue buttercream a perfectly pipeable silky smooth frosting with a light touch of sweetness.
Check out this recipe
chocolate swiss meringue buttercream on cupcake.
Chocolate Whipped Cream
Chocolate whipped cream is the perfect filling for chocolate cupcakes of a chocolate Swiss roll cake. Light, chocolaty, and delicious!
Check out this recipe
sprinkling cocoa powder on top of chocolate whipped cream.
Nutella
Nutella or Hazelnut Chocolate Spreads are a simple and delicious way to filling chocolate cake!
Get this filling

Peanut Butter Fillings

Peanut butter and chocolate is such a classic combination. And these peanut butter fillings pair perfectly with chocolate cake:

Peanut Butter Frosting
Using one bowl and just five ingredients, you can whip up a batch of this quick and easy peanut butter butter frosting in just 10 minutes! It's firm and stable, perfect for chocolate layer cakes!
Check out this recipe
close up of piping peanut butter frosting on cupcake
Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
Similar to Peanut Butter Buttercream, this has the delicious tanginess of the added cream cheese. It's a fun and delicious variation to pair with chocolate cake!
Check out this recipe
peanut butter cream cheese frosting on cupcake.
Edible Peanut Butter Cookie Dough
This Edible Peanut Butter Cookie Dough is a fun and unique way to fill a chocolate cake!
Check out this recipe
edible peanut butter cookie dough in glass container.

Buttercream Frosting

Buttercream frostings are one of the most common fillings for chocolate cake! You really can't go wrong with your favorite buttercream. Here are some of my favorite options:

Vanilla American Buttercream Frosting
Using only one bowl and four ingredients, you can whip up a batch of this easy and classic vanilla American buttercream frosting in just 10 minutes so try it today!
Check out this recipe
vanilla buttercream piped on cupcake
Mint Frosting
This mint frosting recipe is a simple buttercream frosting that is perfect for cupcakes and cakes! Using only 4 ingredients and one bowl, you can whip up a batch in 10 minutes so try this easy and delicious frosting today! Plus, you can easily add chocolate chips for mint chocolate chip frosting!
Check out this recipe
mint frosting on beater
Oreo Buttercream Frosting
Oreo Buttercream Frosting, also knows as Cookies and Cream Frosting, is an American buttercream frosting made with Oreos or other sandwich cream cookies!
Check out this recipe
Oreo buttercream frosting on cupcake.
Cookie Dough Frosting
This delicious buttercream frosting tastes just like chocolate chip cookie dough! It's a delicious filling for cakes, cookies and topping cupcakes and brownies. Plus you can make a batch in less than 15 minutes so try it on your favorite dessert today! 
Check out this recipe
Cookie Dough Frosting on cupcakes
Coffee Buttercream Frosting
This easy coffee buttercream frosting uses only 5 ingredients and can be made in less than 15 minutes!  
Check out this recipe
coffee buttercream on cupcake up close
Swiss Meringue Buttercream
Swiss Meringue Buttercream Frosting is a silky smooth frosting with just a touch of sweetness. Using egg whites, sugar, and butter it's a stable frosting perfect for piping on cakes and cupcakes. 
Check out this recipe
Swiss meringue buttercream on cupcake with sprinkles..
Italian Meringue Buttercream Frosting
Italian Meringue Buttercream is a silky smooth frosting using egg whites and hot sugar syrup for a light and stable frosting, perfect for decorating cakes and cupcakes.
Check out this recipe
Italian Meringue Buttercream on cupcake.
Ermine Frosting
Also knowns as boiled milk frosting, this tastes very similar to whipped cream but is stable enough for piping and filling layer cakes!
Check out this recipe
Ermine frosting piped on cupcake

Fruit Fillings

Fruits like strawberries, oranges, cherries, and blackberries pair really well with chocolate cakes! You can use your favorite jams or jellies, or try some of these fun fruit options: 

Strawberry Cake Filling
This easy strawberry cake filling is a thick and delicious a strawberry filling, perfect for filling cakes, cupcakes, and macarons!
Check out this recipe
Strawberry Buttercream Frosting
With just 5 ingredients, you can whip up a batch of this deliciously easy strawberry buttercream frosting in just 10 minutes!
Check out this recipe
strawberry frosting on cupcake.
Cherry Pie Filling
Cherry pie filling is a fun and easy option to fill a chocolate cake!
Get this filling
Orange Marmalade
If you love chocolate and orange flavor combination, try using orange marmalade along with chocolate frosting to fill your chocolate cake!
Get this filling

More fun filling ideas

Here are some more fun filling ideas:

Pastry Cream
This vanilla bean pastry cream recipe is a perfect filling for cream puffs, tarts, pastries, cakes, and other delicious desserts!
Check out this recipe
pastry cream in bowl with strawberry
Easy Caramel Sauce
Caramel sauce is such a delicious sauce and surprisingly easy! With only 5 ingredients you can whip up a batch in 15 minutes. 
Check out this recipe
caramel sauce in jar with spoon.
Marshmallow Frosting
This easy homemade marshmallow frosting tastes just like marshmallow fluff! This recipe is a fun and simple alternative to buttercream, and this step-by-step tutorial will show you how to make perfectly fluffy frosting.
Check out this recipe
marshmallow frosting piped on cupcakes
Cream Cheese Frosting
Using only 4 ingredients, one bowl, and 10 minutes, this cream cheese frosting is the perfect icing for red velvet cake, carrot cake and other cupcakes and desserts!
Check out this recipe
Cream Cheese Frosting being piped on cupcake
Mascarpone Whipped Cream Recipe
This delicious mascarpone whipped cream recipe uses 5 ingredients and only takes 10 minutes to make! It's the perfect  whipped cream frosting for fruit, cakes, cupcakes, and your favorite desserts!
Check out this recipe
mascarpone whipped cream on cupcake.

Best chocolate cake filling combinations:

  • S'mores Cake: Fill the cake with marshmallow frosting, chocolate ganache, and a sprinkle of crushed graham crackers. Cover with chocolate frosting and you have a delicious S'mores cake.
  • Caramel Marshmallow: Caramel and marshmallow is a great combo, it reminds me of Scotchmallow candies! 
  • Pastry Cream and Fruit: Try filling a chocolate cake with pastry cream paired with fresh strawberries or raspberries. Delicious! 
  • Double Strawberry Chocolate: I love filling chocolate cake with both strawberry frosting and strawberry cake filling. It's so good!

FAQ

Which of these chocolate cake fillings do not use butter?

Ganache
Strawberry filling
Jams
Marshmallow frosting
Mascarpone Whipped Cream
Chocolate Whipped Cream

Which of these cake fillings do not use powdered sugar?

Ganache
Marshmallow Frosting
Italian Meringue Buttercream 
Swiss Meringue Buttercream
Ermine Frosting
Nutella
Jams and Jellies
Strawberry Cake Filling
Caramel

Russian Buttercream
Pastry Cream

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chocolate layer cake with chocolate filling on plate.

The Best Filling Ideas For Chocolate Cake

If you're looking for the best chocolate cake filling ideas, we've got your covered!  From rich chocolate ganache to a thick strawberry cake filling, these recipes are utterly irresistible!
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Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Servings: 1
Author: Sophia Assunta
Cost: varied

Equipment

  • Mixer

INGREDIENTS

Chocolate Fillings

  • Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
  • Chocolate Ganache
  • Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting
  • Chocolate Whipped Cream
  • Nutella or Chocolate Hazelnut Spread

Peanut Butter Fillings

  • Peanut butter cream cheese frosting
  • Peanut butter frosting
  • Edible peanut butter cookie dough

Buttercream Fillings

  • Vanilla Buttercream
  • Mint Frosting
  • Oreo Buttercream
  • Cookie Dough Frosting
  • Coffee Frosting
  • Swiss Meringue Buttercream
  • Italian Buttercream
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk Frosting
  • Ermine Frosting

Fruit Fillings

  • Strawberry Cake Fillings
  • Strawberry Buttercream Frosting
  • Cherry Pie Filling
  • Berry Jams or Jelly
  • Orange Marmalade

More Fun Fillings

  • Pastry Cream
  • Caramel
  • Marshmallow Frosting
  • Cream Cheese Frosting
  • Mascarpone Whipped Cream

Instructions

  • Make your favorite chocolate cake and let cool completely before filling.
  • Frost and fill cake with your desired filling.
  • Enjoy!

Notes

  • If making a layer cake check out this post about frosting and filling a perfect layer cake. 
  • For softer fillings such as jams, strawberry fillings, caramel, pipe a boarder of a firmer frosting such as buttercream around the edge of the cake layer. Then add the filing.
  • These also make great chocolate cupcake fillings! 
Tried this Recipe? Let me know!Tag @Sophia.Assunta or #Partylicious!

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Sophia Bianco the author of Partylicious.

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I'm Sophia and thank you for visiting Partylicious, your go-to destination for fun & festive party desserts!
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