Impress your guests with this super-easy Waffle Cake — layers of chocolate cake waffles with an unbelievably flavorful and creamy vanilla filling. Top with fresh berries and a sprinkle of powdered sugar for a show-stopping dessert that couldn’t be easier to make!
Looking for more fun ways to celebrate without a traditional cake? Well then, try this Icebox Cake, these Brownie Oreo Ice Cream Bars, or this easy Ice Cream Sandwich Cake.
The Best Waffle Cake
If layer cakes intimidate you or you’re just looking to make something quicker, then I have the recipe for you! My Waffle Cake is incredibly easy to make, and such a showstopper! You’ll get a gorgeous layer-like cake with a fraction of the effort.
In fact, you don’t even need an oven for this cake! Just grab a reliable waffle maker and you’ll have all your “cake” layers done in about 10-15 minutes. This is way easier and way quicker than a chocolate layer cake!
Quick Tip
What chocolate cake mix do I use? My favorite cake mix to use for this waffle cake is Betty Crocker® Super Moist Triple Chocolate Fudge mix. (Not sponsored) Spruce Eats did a taste test comparison of store-bought cakes, so check it out and see if a description of a specific cake resonates most with you.
Ingredients In This Waffle Cake
WAFFLE LAYER
- Chocolate cake mix: Provides the base flavor and structure for the waffles. Tip: Choose a quality mix for best results.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients and give structure to the dessert.
- Vegetable oil: Adds moisture and ensures a tender texture.
CREAM LAYER
- Sweetened condensed milk: Offers sweetness and creaminess to the layer.
- Milk & Heavy whipping cream: They create a rich, creamy consistency. Tip: Using whole milk and chilling the mix before whipping can improve texture.
- Instant vanilla pudding: Thickens and adds flavor to the cream. Tip: Ensure it’s the instant type for quick setting.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the whipped cream.
- Vanilla paste (or extract): Enhances flavor. Tip: Vanilla paste provides tiny vanilla bean specks for a gourmet look.
How To Make A Waffle Cake
- Waffles: Prepare chocolate cake batter as per the package. Pour into a preheated waffle iron, following the iron’s instructions. Cook all waffles and let them cool on a wire rack!
- Cream Filling: Mix pudding, milk, and sweetened condensed milk. In another bowl, make whipped cream (it’s simple!). Fold the whipped cream into the pudding mixture and chill.
- Assemble: Layer on a cake stand: waffle, filling, waffle, filling, and so on. Top with the last waffle and remaining filling.
- Garnish: Add berries and a dusting of powdered sugar.
Quick Tip
Let the waffles cool completely before assembling the cake. If the waffles are at all warm, they will heat the cream filling and make the cake slide (plus the texture/taste will be off).
Variations
Switch It Up
- Funfetti: Use a Funfetti® cake mix instead of chocolate, and garnish the waffle cake with sprinkles!
- Pumpkin: Use this waffle recipe and fill up the layers with maple whipped cream from this Pumpkin Pie Recipe. Garnish with fresh berries.
- Strawberries and cream: Use a vanilla cake mix instead of chocolate, use the same vanilla filling I share in the recipe, and garnish with freshly sliced strawberries.
- Ultra-chocolate: Use a chocolate mousse whipped cream in place of the vanilla cream for a mega-chocolate dessert.
More desserts
- Best Chocolate Cake Recipe with chocolate frosting
- Vanilla Cheesecake Bars with a berry sauce
- Carmelitas caramel and chocolate oatmeal bars
- Oreo Balls dipped in chocolate
- Chocolate Crinkle Cookies with chocolate chips
Waffle Cake
Equipment
- Waffle Iron
- Cooling Rack
- Hand mixer
- stand mixer
Ingredients
Waffle Layer
- 1 package chocolate cake mix plus ingredients called for (eggs, vegetable oil, water); see note 1
Cream Layer
- 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup milk 1%, 2%, or whole milk
- 3.4 ounces instant vanilla pudding the four-serving size package; do not prepare according to package directions
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar plus more for topping if desired
- 1 teaspoon vanilla paste or vanilla extract
Topping
- Fresh berries I used raspberries
- 1 dark chocolate bar optional
Instructions
- Combine chocolate cake mix, eggs, water, and vegetable oil in a large bowl. Beat to combine, following package instructions. Preheat a waffle maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. I preheat mine to medium-high.
- Pour a heaping 1/2 cup cake batter into waffle iron—or the correct amount to fill the the waffle iron correctly. Close and allow cake batter to cook, then remove and allow to completely cool on wire racks. Repeat until all waffles are made. I typically get 8 large waffles from a box of prepared cake mix.
- In a large bowl, mix together sweetened condensed milk and regular milk. With a hand mixer, blend in pudding mix, then let chill 5 minutes. While chilling, make whipped cream: Add heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla to a stand mixer bowl fitted with the whisk attachment. Whisk on low speed to combine. Gradually increase to high speed until medium-to-stiff peaks form, about 1–3 minutes. Watch carefully to avoid over-beating. With a spatula, fold cream into the condensed milk and pudding mixture. Fold until smooth and combined. Place mixture in fridge and keep chilled until waffles are fully cool.
- Place one waffle on a cake stand or plate. Spread pudding mixture on top (using about 1/5 of the mixture for each layer). Place another waffle gently on pudding mixture. Add more pudding mixture. Continue this pattern with another waffle and more pudding mixture. Add final waffle and remaining pudding mixture on top.
- If desired, garnish with fresh berries and chocolate shavings.
- Make chocolate shavings by scraping a chocolate bar with a vegetable peeler. You can also break up some of the candy bar and place the chocolate chunks on top. Cut the cake into slices and enjoy immediately.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can this cake sit out at room temperature for a day or two or does it need to be refrigerated?
Thanks
PeteW
It needs to be refrigerated because the frosting layer contains cream.
Chelsea: I’m going to give this a try.
I only have a tiny waffle maker, so how much batter would I use?
Also, I went to your profile and hit the sign-up button, but there was an error.
So how do I sign up?
what a fun cake, and love using waffles instead of making a traditional cake, and the suggested tweaks too, thank you
Mmmm. I cannot wait to try these.
This looks INCREDIBLE! Plus, it’s so easy with the use of a cake mix. I love it!
What a neat idea, waffle pie! Love your pictures too, they’re gorgeous!
I just love the way your mind works! SUCH a perfect idea-it’d be amazing for a fancy brunch or a birthday breakfast!
Awesome recipe, beautiful presentation & gorgeous pictures :)! Such a great way to enjoy waffles, I should give this a try soon while raspberries are still in season!
Yikes, I’m so glad Grey didn’t get hurt and luckily this comes together easily. It looks absolutely beautiful! Love all those pretty fresh berries!