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Brown Derby Cake Recipe

Brown Derby Cake Recipe

The Brown Derby Cake is a decadent Hollywood-inspired dessert featuring layers of moist chocolate cake, whipped cream frosting, and fresh fruit like peaches, bananas, and strawberries. Topped with cake crumbs and garnished with fruit, this pyramid-shaped beauty is as stunning as it is delicious.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Hollywood Classic
Calories: 420
Ingredients Video Notes

Ingredients
  

For The Chocolate Cake

  • 1 cup cocoa powder

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 8   ounce butter (softened)
  • 2 ¼ cups granulated sugar
  • 5 eggs
  • 6 ounces buttermilk
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
For The Whipped Cream Filling & Frosting

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • ½ cup confectioners’ sugar
  • ½ teaspoon gelatin mixture (or cream of tartar as a substitute)

For The Filling

  • Fresh strawberries (hulled & sliced)
  • Canned peaches (well drained)
  • 1 sliced banana

Video

Notes

Required Kitchen Tools

When making the Brown Derby Cake, I recommend having the following tools on hand for a smooth and stress-free baking experience:
  • Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer – to cream the butter, sugar, and whip the cream perfectly.
  • Mixing Bowls – large and medium bowls for combining wet and dry ingredients.
  • Cake Pans – three 8-inch (or 10-inch) round pans for even baking.
  • Offset Spatula – for frosting and smoothing the whipped cream.
  • Piping Bag – optional, but makes building whipped cream “walls” and layering easier.
  • Cooling Rack – to allow cakes to cool evenly before assembly.
Having these essentials will make the whole process more enjoyable and ensure your cake looks bakery-worthy.