Crying Cake

Crying Cake is a medium French recipe that serves 12. 350 calories per serving. Recipe by Once Upon a Time Pastry on YouTube.

Prep: 40 min | Cook: 45 min | Total: 1 hr 45 min

Cost: $9.51 total, $0.79 per serving

Ingredients

  • 4 pcs Eggs (fresh eggs, at room temperature)
  • 150 g Granulated sugar (granulated)
  • 120 ml Whole milk (at room temperature)
  • 80 ml Neutral vegetable oil (e.g. canola or sunflower oil)
  • 1 pinch Salt (fine salt)
  • 150 g All-purpose flour (sift before use)
  • 60 g Unsweetened cocoa powder (30 g for the batter, 30 g for the milk‑cocoa)
  • 5 g Baking powder (about 1 tsp)
  • 250 ml Milk for the syrup (whole milk)
  • 300 ml Heavy cream (whipped) (well chilled)
  • 30 g Powdered sugar (for the whipped cream)
  • 200 g 70% dark chocolate (coarsely chopped)
  • 150 ml Heavy cream (ganache) (to heat)
  • 1 tsp Vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the ingredients and equipment

    Measure all ingredients, take the pan out of the refrigerator and preheat the oven to 180°C. Gather the bowls, whisk, spatula, sieve, saucepan and fork.

    Time: PT5M

  2. Whisk eggs and sugar

    In the large bowl, whisk the eggs with the sugar until the mixture becomes pale, fluffy and doubles in volume.

    Time: PT5M

  3. Incorporate the liquids

    Add the milk, oil and pinch of salt to the egg‑sugar mixture, then mix gently until homogeneous.

    Time: PT2M

  4. Sift the dry ingredients

    Sift the flour, cocoa powder and baking powder over the bowl.

    Time: PT3M

  5. Fold in the dry ingredients

    With the spatula, gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until you obtain a smooth, homogeneous batter.

    Time: PT5M

  6. Prepare the pan

    Generously butter the 20 × 30 cm pan and pour the batter, spreading it evenly with the spatula.

    Time: PT2M

  7. Bake the cake

    Bake the cake for 30 minutes at 180°C. Check doneness by inserting a knife tip that should come out dry.

    Time: PT30M

    Temperature: 180°C

  8. Pierce the cake

    Remove the cake from the oven, place it on a rack and pierce it all over with a fork to allow the syrup to be absorbed.

    Time: PT2M

  9. Prepare the milk‑cocoa syrup

    In a saucepan, heat 250 ml of milk with 30 g of unsweetened cocoa, stirring constantly until fully dissolved.

    Time: PT5M

  10. Soak the cake

    Pour the hot syrup over the still‑warm cake, distributing it gradually so the cake absorbs it completely.

    Time: PT5M

  11. Cool and refrigerate

    Let the cake rest for 30 minutes at room temperature, then place it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to finish absorption.

    Time: PT5M

  12. Prepare the whipped cream

    In a cold bowl, whisk 300 ml of heavy cream with 30 g of powdered sugar until stiff peaks form.

    Time: PT5M

  13. Spread the whipped cream

    Spread the whipped cream over the completely cooled cake in an even layer.

    Time: PT5M

  14. Heat the cream for the ganache

    Heat 150 ml of heavy cream in a small saucepan until it simmers (small bubbles around the edge).

    Time: PT5M

  15. Combine chocolate and hot cream

    Pour the hot cream over the 200 g of coarsely chopped dark chocolate, let rest 1 minute then stir until you obtain a smooth, glossy ganache.

    Time: PT2M

  16. Slightly temper the ganache

    Let the ganache cool for 5 minutes; it should remain fluid but not too hot to avoid melting the whipped cream.

    Time: PT5M

  17. Pour the ganache

    Pour the ganache over the cake covered with whipped cream; it will flow down the sides like tears.

    Time: PT5M

  18. Final rest

    Return the cake to the refrigerator for at least 4 hours before serving so the ganache sets.

    Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
350
Protein
5 g
Carbohydrates
45 g
Fat
18 g
Fiber
3 g

Dietary info: vegetarian, contains dairy, contains gluten, low-calorie

Allergens: eggs, milk, gluten, soy

Last updated: April 7, 2026

Amazon Associates

Amazon Associates PartnerTrusted

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this page. This helps support our site at no extra cost to you. Clicking on ingredient or equipment links will take you to amazon.com where you can purchase these items.

Crying Cake

Recipe by Once Upon a Time Pastry

An ultra‑moist chocolate cake, soaked in cocoa milk, covered with light whipped cream and a chocolate ganache that flows down the sides like tears. Ideal for lovers of rich and impressive desserts.

MediumFrenchServes 12

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
1h 6m
Prep
35m
Cook
12m
Cleanup
1h 53m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$9.51
Total cost
$0.79
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Whisk the eggs and sugar until pale and voluminous
  • Fold in the dry ingredients without over‑mixing
  • Pour the milk‑cocoa syrup over the warm cake
  • Achieve a fluid but not too hot ganache before pouring

Safety Warnings

  • Handle the hot oven with care
  • Be careful with the hot cream when preparing the ganache to avoid burns

You Might Also Like

Similar recipes converted from YouTube cooking videos

Taiwanese Castella Cake
437

Taiwanese Castella Cake

A soft, moist, and fluffy Taiwanese castella cake made with butter, egg yolks, and a gentle meringue. Baked in a water bath to achieve a delicate texture and fine crumb. This recipe uses a 18cm square cake pan and yields a tender cake with a rich buttery aroma. Perfect served warm or layered with whipped cream for an indulgent treat.

2 hrs 10 minServes 8$24
Taiwanese
Easy Vasilopita (Greek New Year Cake)
302

Easy Vasilopita (Greek New Year Cake)

A super‑easy, buttery Greek Vasilopita that’s perfect for New Year celebrations or any occasion. No mixer needed – just a bowl, a whisk and a few simple ingredients. The cake is fragrant with orange and vanilla, studded with chocolate pieces, and finished with a light dusting of powdered sugar.

1 hr 10 minServes 8$62
Greek
Lemon Pound Cake with Thin Lemon Glaze
1.2k

Lemon Pound Cake with Thin Lemon Glaze

A tender, buttery lemon pound cake baked in a loaf pan and finished with a thin, soak‑in lemon glaze. The cake is light despite its rich ingredients, thanks to a long creaming of butter and sugar and a small amount of chemical leaveners. Perfect for a winter pick‑me‑up or any time you want a not‑too‑sweet slice of cake.

1 hr 51 minServes 10$65
American
Homemade Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
304

Homemade Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

A moist, spiced carrot cake loaded with shredded carrots, raisins, and crushed pineapple, topped with a rich cream cheese frosting and toasted walnut crumbs. Perfect for celebrations or a comforting dessert any day.

1 hr 45 minServes 12$17
American
The 7-Layer Chocolate Cake Taking Over NYC — Most-Ordered
1.3k

The 7-Layer Chocolate Cake Taking Over NYC — Most-Ordered

A towering seven‑layer chocolate devil's food cake with silky chocolate‑butter frosting, a ginger‑vermouth soak, and a glossy dark chocolate glaze. Inspired by Chef Joshua Pinsky’s signature cake at Claude in the East Village, this indulgent dessert serves 12 generous slices.

4 hrs 15 minServes 12$125
American
Michelin Pancakes at Home
2.2k

Michelin Pancakes at Home

A Michelin‑inspired pancake that stays light and airy for minutes after cooking, using whipped egg whites stabilized with lemon juice and a rich black‑butter maple‑soy glaze. The method eliminates sogginess and gives a restaurant‑quality breakfast at home.

45 minServes 4$5
British