Chocolate is my weakness. As much as I’ve attempted to control my sweet tooth over the years, my passion for all things chocolate is as strong as ever. And a nice chocolate cake may well be my Achilles heel. I’ve tried several cake recipes over the years, and this Deep Dark Secret Chocolate Cake is hands down the finest. Yes, I said it. What’s the secret behind this version? You will have to read on to find out!

Okay, now it’s time to offer some information about this recipe name. The “Deep Dark” name refers to the cake’s deep and dark flavor from coffee and rum in the batter, while the “Secret” refers to its usage of cake mix. That’s correct, the best cake I’ve ever had began with a box of Devil’s Food Chocolate Cake Mix. Judge all you want, but after you try it, you’ll be singing a different tune.

For this recipe, you will disregard the instructions on the back of the box and add a variety of ingredients to improve the texture and flavor of the cake. Coffee, rum, and sour cream provide nuanced flavors you wouldn’t expect from a mix. After the cake has baked and cooled, make a luscious chocolate ganache. Drizzle that on top, and you’re in for a treat. Try this recipe, and you’ll never make another.