Portillo’s Chocolate Cake | What's Cookin' Chicago (2024)

Happy Monday! This past weekend was a fun and productive one as I hosted my first blogger workshop for Chicago Area Food Bloggers. It was a good turnout with a lot of insightful discussions where we all left energized and motivated about our blogs. Aside from hosting the workshop, we added a tasty spin and incorporated a themed potluck lunch before we started. The theme was ‘Chicago’ inspired dishes, be it purchased or recreated at home. Needless to say, it was a delicious lunch with quite a few local treats represented – Vienna Beef Italian Beef Sandwiches on Turano Bread, Jay’s potato chips, chili cheese dip made with Kraft cheese, yeast donuts from a local South Side bakery, and Portillo’s Chocolate Cake. Oh yes,.. the famous Portillo’s Chocolate Cake!

One of the best parts of hosting these workshops is the opportunity to meet fellow bloggers. Katie of Dining at My Desk prepared Portillo’s Famous Chocolate Cake to our potluck and it was definitely a hit! Then again, who can resist chocolate cake anyway?!

Portillo’s Chocolate Cake is famous around here because it’s so rich, moist and so so good. It’s a staple at the Portillo’s restaurant chain and folks swear by it. So much so that they even request to have it mixed into their vanilla milkshakes for a ‘Chocolate Cake Shake.’ So what’s the secret to this famous cake? Would you believe me if I said it was mayonnaise?

I was surprised how easy it was to prepare, so if you’ve got a special chocoholic to impress (Valentine’s Day is coming up soon, you know…) this is the cake to make!

About Portillo’s Chocolate Cake

Portillo’s Chocolate Cake is a dessert that originated from the Portillo’s restaurant chain in Chicago, Illinois. The cake is made with layers of moist chocolate cake and a rich, creamy frosting, which is topped with a dusting of chocolate shavings. The history of the cake goes back to the early days of the Portillo’s chain. In 1963, Dick Portillo opened a hot dog stand in Villa Park, Illinois, which eventually grew into a successful chain of restaurants. The chocolate cake was introduced to the menu in the early years and quickly became a fan favorite.

The cake’s cultural significance lies in its popularity among generations of Chicagoans and visitors to the city. Portillo’s is a beloved institution in the Chicago area. The chocolate cake has become a symbol of the city’s food culture. In fact, the cake has become so famous that it is often shipped across the country as a gift or a special treat for those who have moved away from the area. Portillo’s Chocolate Cake has a long history as a beloved dessert among Chicagoans and visitors to the city. Its cultural significance lies in its association with the iconic Portillo’s restaurant chain and its role as a symbol of Chicago’s food culture.

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Tips for Making Portillo’s Chocolate Cake

Here are some tips for making Portillo’s Chocolate Cake:

Use high-quality ingredients

To make a great cake, it’s important to use high-quality ingredients. Use good-quality cocoa powder and chocolate, and be sure to use fresh ingredients such as eggs and baking powder.

Use room temperature ingredients

For best results, be sure that your ingredients are at room temperature before beginning the recipe. This helps ensure that the ingredients blend together evenly and smoothly.

Grease and flour your pans

Make sure to properly grease and flour your cake pans to prevent the cake from sticking. You can also use parchment paper to line the bottom of the pans for added insurance.

Don’t overmix

Overmixing the batter can lead to a tough and dense cake. Mix the ingredients just until they are combined, and avoid overworking the batter.

Follow the recipe closely

To get the best results, it’s important to follow the recipe closely. Pay attention to measurements and baking times to ensure that your cake comes out perfectly.

Let the cake cool before frosting

Let the cake cool completely before frosting it. If the cake is still warm, the frosting will melt and become runny.

Use a good quality frosting

The frosting is an important part of the cake, so use a high-quality frosting recipe or pre-made frosting. Portillo’s Chocolate Cake traditionally uses a chocolate frosting made with real butter and heavy cream.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Serving and Storage Suggestions

Cutting the Perfect Slice
Have you ever tried cutting through a delicate fabric with a blunt tool? It ruins the fabric, right? Similarly, cutting a cake with a regular knife can be messy. A hot knife is your savior, giving you that Instagram-worthy slice.

Storing for Freshness
In the unlikely event there’s cake left, an airtight container is its best friend. It ensures the cake remains moist and delectable for days. But, let’s be honest, can you resist it for that long?

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not measuring ingredients correctly: A cake recipe is like a potion; a little extra of one thing can change everything.
• Rushing the cooling process: Patience is key. Frosting a hot cake can lead to a gooey disaster.
• Overmixing: Treat the batter gently. An overmixed batter can lead to a dense cake, robbing you of that fluffy texture.

Conclusion: Let Them Eat Cake

There are many reasons why you should try Portillo’s Chocolate Cake. First and foremost, it is a delicious dessert that has been enjoyed by generations of people in the Chicago area and beyond. The cake is made with high-quality ingredients. It includes cocoa powder, butter, and real chocolate, which gives it a rich, chocolatey flavor and a moist, tender crumb. The frosting is also made with real butter and cream, which gives it a velvety smooth texture and a decadent taste.

In addition to its delicious flavor, Portillo’s Chocolate Cake has cultural significance as a beloved dessert among Chicagoans and visitors to the city. Trying the cake can give you a taste of the city’s food culture and a sense of connection to its history and traditions.

Finally, indulging in a slice of Portillo’s Chocolate Cake can be a fun and enjoyable experience that provides a sense of comfort and pleasure. Whether you’re sharing the cake with friends and family or enjoying it on your own, it can be a treat that lifts your mood and satisfies your sweet tooth. So why not give it a try and see for yourself why Portillo’s Chocolate Cake is a beloved dessert that has stood the test of time