Here’s a big, rich, bakery-style Bumpy Cake recipe, written warm and classic — the kind people save, share, and come back to 🍫🎂
🍫 BUMPY CAKE — A Chocolate Classic with Signature Ridges
Introduction
Bumpy Cake is not just a chocolate cake — it’s a celebration of texture, nostalgia, and pure chocolate comfort. With its soft, moist chocolate layers and unmistakable “bumps” of creamy frosting running across the top, this cake feels both playful and elegant. It’s the kind of dessert that turns heads the moment it’s set on the table and disappears slice by slice.
Rich, familiar, and deeply satisfying, Bumpy Cake is a chocolate lover’s dream.
Ingredients
Chocolate Cake
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1¾ cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1½ teaspoons baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup hot water or hot coffee (enhances chocolate flavor)
Creamy Frosting “Bumps”
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ¼ cup milk or cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Ganache Topping
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
Instructions
1. Prepare the Cake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9×13-inch pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add eggs, milk, melted butter, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
- Slowly stir in hot water or coffee — batter will be thin.
- Pour into pan and bake 35–40 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool completely in the pan.
2. Make the Frosting Bumps
- Beat butter until creamy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa powder.
- Mix in milk and vanilla until thick but pipeable.
- Transfer frosting to a piping bag with a round tip.
- Pipe long raised lines (“bumps”) across the cooled cake.
- Chill the cake for 20–30 minutes so the bumps firm up.
3. Prepare the Ganache
- Heat cream until just steaming.
- Pour over chopped chocolate and let sit 2 minutes.
- Stir until smooth and glossy.
4. Finish the Cake
Slowly pour ganache over the chilled cake, allowing it to flow between and around the frosting bumps without covering them completely. Let set before slicing.
Method (Why This Works)
- Hot liquid deepens chocolate flavor
- Chilled frosting bumps keep their shape
- Pour-over ganache creates contrast in texture
- Single pan bake keeps layers moist and simple
This method gives Bumpy Cake its signature look and indulgent bite.
A Bit of History
Bumpy Cake originated in Detroit in the early 1900s, created by Sanders Chocolates. The raised frosting “bumps” were designed to stand out visually and texturally, becoming a trademark dessert beloved for generations. Today, it remains a Midwest classic and a symbol of old-fashioned chocolate baking.
Formation & Texture
- Moist, tender chocolate crumb
- Creamy frosting ridges
- Smooth, glossy ganache
- Balanced sweetness with deep cocoa notes
Every slice delivers contrast — soft cake, fluffy frosting, silky chocolate.
How Chocolate Lovers Serve It ❤️
- Slightly chilled for clean slices
- At birthdays and holidays
- With coffee or cold milk
- As a show-stopper dessert table centerpiece
- Shared slowly — or quickly, no judgment
Tips from Bumpy Cake Lovers
- Chill before slicing for sharp edges
- Use coffee instead of water for richer flavor
- Pipe bumps evenly for classic look
- Don’t rush the ganache — slow pour is key
Conclusion
Bumpy Cake is timeless for a reason. It’s playful yet rich, simple yet unforgettable. Every bite brings back old-school bakery charm with modern homemade warmth. If you love chocolate — truly love it — this cake belongs in your recipe box.
One pan. One pour.
Pure chocolate joy 🍫🎂
If you want, I can:
- Simplify this using a boxed cake mix
- Write it as a viral recipe post
- Make a mini or layered version
- Adapt it egg-free
Just say the word 👇