Picture this: you’re at a summer carnival, the air filled with the sweet aroma of cotton candy and funnel cakes, when you spot something magical – a chocolate cake cone that perfectly combines the joy of ice cream with the decadence of cake. That moment of pure childhood wonder? That’s exactly what we’re recreating today in your own kitchen! This cake cone recipe transforms ordinary ice cream cones into extraordinary dessert vessels filled with moist, rich chocolate cake that’ll have everyone asking for seconds (and thirds).
There’s something undeniably fun about eating cake from a cone. Maybe it’s the nostalgia factor, or perhaps it’s just the sheer convenience of having a built-in edible bowl. Whatever the reason, these chocolate cake cones are about to become your new favorite party trick and weeknight dessert all rolled into one delicious package.
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Chocolate Cake Cone Magic: 7 Ways To Treat Yourself
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Description
Delicious chocolate cake baked directly in ice cream cones, topped with whipped cream and sprinkles. Perfect for parties, kids’ treats, or anytime you want a fun twist on dessert!
Ingredients
For the chocolate cake batter:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup hot coffee (or hot water)
For assembly:
12 flat-bottom ice cream cones
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
Chocolate chips, sprinkles, or chopped nuts for topping
Instructions
1. Prep Ingredients & Pans
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Place 12 flat-bottom ice cream cones in a muffin tin for stability.
2. Make Cake Batter
Whisk together 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, 1/3 cup cocoa powder, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt.
In a separate bowl, combine 1/2 cup buttermilk, 1/3 cup vegetable oil, 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla.
Stir wet ingredients into dry until just combined. Slowly add 1/2 cup hot coffee (or water) for extra moisture.
3. Fill & Bake
Fill cones 2/3 full with batter.
Bake 18–20 mins until tops spring back and toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
Cool 30 mins completely before adding toppings.
4. Whipped Cream & Toppings
Whip 1 cup heavy cream with 2 tbsp powdered sugar until soft peaks form.
Pipe or spoon cream onto cooled cones.
Decorate with chocolate chips, sprinkles, or chopped nuts.
Notes
Use room-temperature ingredients for smooth mixing.
Hot coffee enhances chocolate flavor; hot water works in a pinch.
Don’t overfill cones stick to 2/3 full to avoid overflow.
Let cones cool completely before adding toppings to prevent melting.
Storage
Unfrosted cones: airtight container, room temp, up to 3 days; freeze up to 3 months.
Frosted cones: refrigerate, eat within 2 days.
Serving Suggestions
Create a dessert bar with chocolate chips, berries, caramel, or crushed cookies.
Drizzle melted chocolate for extra indulgence.
Pair with vanilla ice cream for a cake-meets-cone experience.
Use mini sugar cones for bite-sized treats or waffle cones for larger desserts.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 215mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
Ingredients
For the chocolate cake batter:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup hot coffee (or hot water)
For assembly:
- 12 flat-bottom ice cream cones
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- Chocolate chips, sprinkles, or chopped nuts for topping
Timing
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Baking Time: 18-20 minutes
- Cooling Time: 30 minutes
- Assembly Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Servings: 12 cake cones
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing Your Cake Cone Batter
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Trust me, you don’t want to skip this step – I’ve learned the hard way that impatience leads to unevenly baked desserts!
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Make sure there are no lumps hiding in there – nobody wants a surprise pocket of cocoa powder in their bite.
In a separate bowl, combine the buttermilk, vegetable oil, egg, and vanilla extract. Whisk until everything’s well combined and the mixture looks smooth.
Mixing the Magic
Pour the wet ingredients into your dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Don’t overmix – we want tender cake, not tough rubber! Now comes the secret ingredient that makes these cake cones extra moist: slowly stir in the hot coffee. The batter will be thin, but that’s exactly what we want.
Baking Your Cake Cones
Place your flat-bottom ice cream cones in a muffin tin – this keeps them stable during baking. Fill each cone about 2/3 full with batter. Any more and you’ll have overflow; any less and your cones will look sadly empty.
Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. The tops should spring back lightly when touched.
Finishing Touches
While your cake cones cool, whip the heavy cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks form. Once the cones are completely cool, pipe or dollop the whipped cream on top and add your favorite toppings.
Nutrition Facts (Per Cake Cone)
- Calories: 245
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Sugar: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Sodium: 215mg
Note: Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.
Healthy Alternatives and Dietary Swaps
Looking to lighten things up? I’ve got you covered! Replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for gluten-sensitive friends. For a dairy-free version, swap the buttermilk for non-dairy milk mixed with a tablespoon of lemon juice, and use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil.
Want to sneak in some nutrition? Try substituting up to half the flour with finely ground oats, or add a tablespoon of ground flaxseed to the batter. You can also reduce the sugar by 1/4 cup and add a mashed banana for natural sweetness.
For those watching their sugar intake, sugar-free chocolate cake cones work beautifully with erythritol or stevia-based baking sweeteners.
Tips for Best Results
The key to perfect cake cones lies in the details. First, always use room temperature ingredients – they mix more easily and create a smoother batter. If you forgot to take your egg out early, place it in a bowl of warm water for 5 minutes.
Don’t skip the coffee! Even if you’re not a coffee lover, it enhances the chocolate flavor without making the cake taste like coffee. Hot water works in a pinch, but coffee is truly magical here.
Test your oven temperature with an oven thermometer – many ovens run hot or cold, which can make or break your baking success.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The biggest mistake I see people make with cake cones is overfilling them. I know it’s tempting to pack in as much batter as possible, but trust me – stick to that 2/3 rule. Overfilled cones will overflow and create a mess in your oven.
Another common pitfall is not letting the cones cool completely before adding toppings. Warm cake will melt your whipped cream faster than you can say “dessert disaster.”
Finally, don’t overbake! Chocolate cake continues cooking from residual heat even after you remove it from the oven. When in doubt, slightly underbake rather than overbake.
How to Store Leftovers
Store unfrosted cake cones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you’ve already added whipped cream, they’ll need to go in the refrigerator and should be eaten within 2 days.
For longer storage, freeze the unfrosted cones for up to 3 months. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Serving Suggestions
These chocolate cake cones are party-perfect on their own, but why stop there? Create a dessert bar with various toppings: mini chocolate chips, crushed cookies, fresh berries, or caramel sauce.
For an extra special touch, drizzle melted chocolate down the sides before the whipped cream goes on. They also pair beautifully with vanilla ice cream for the ultimate cake-meets-ice cream experience.
Consider making mini versions using sugar cones for bite-sized treats at parties, or go all-out with waffle cones for an extra-indulgent dessert.

Conclusion
There’s something absolutely magical about combining two beloved treats into one irresistible dessert. These chocolate cake cones bring out the kid in everyone while satisfying even the most sophisticated sweet tooth. Whether you’re planning a birthday party, looking for a fun weekend project with the kids, or just want to surprise someone special, this cake cone recipe delivers pure joy in every bite.
The best part? Once you master this basic technique, the variations are endless. Different cake flavors, various toppings, seasonal decorations – your creativity is the only limit!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make cake cones ahead of time for a party?
Absolutely! Bake your cake cones up to 2 days in advance and store them in an airtight container. Add the whipped cream and toppings just before serving to keep everything fresh and prevent soggy cones.
What’s the best type of cone to use for this recipe?
Flat-bottom wafer cones work best because they stand upright during baking and provide a sturdy base. Sugar cones can work too, but they may tip over more easily. Avoid thin waffle cones as they might break under the weight of the batter.
Why did my cake cone batter overflow during baking?
This usually happens when the cones are filled too full – stick to the 2/3 rule! Also, make sure your baking powder and baking soda are fresh, as expired leavening agents can cause unpredictable rising. Finally, check that your oven isn’t running too hot, which can cause rapid rising and overflow.