Around the world in... chocolate cake

Permission to smash chocolate cake in every country is granted!

Rum and raisin chocolate cake. Source: Murdoch Books / Greg Elms

Could this be our happiest world trip ever?

We think it just might be.

Chocolate cake in all its glorious forms is guaranteed to put a smile on your cake-smeared dial.

Those chocolate feel-good endorphins are firing at their best when they double-down with the comfort of cake-baking. 

Chocolate cake is basically everything that's right in the world. As a result, every culture has managed to put its own special spin on this favourite, so start at the top and bake your way down.

The Brits add mint

The dense roulade is balanced by the lashings of soft peppermint cream. Source: Paul Hollywood Pies and Puds

Peppermint and chocolate have always been firm friends and never more so than in this chocolate chip peppermint roulade. It's an after-dinner mint in cake form and we are here for it.

Meringue needs mentioning

This is the cake you roll out when you want to impress. Source: Murdoch Books / Greg Elms

Staying in Australia for a moment, get a load of these meringue and mousse layers. This is the chocolate cake all gussied up for a party.

Argentina likes it layered

Happy birthday indeed... Source: Rachel Tolosa Paz

The chocotorta is the birthday cake of choice in Argentina and it's not hard to see why. Chocolate milk-dipped biscuits are layered with dulce de leche and topped off with a dark chocolate ganache. That's right - no oven is needed to turn out this celebration sensation.

France makes it saucy

To ensure your chocolate coma, push a square of white chocolate into the middle of the dough before baking. Source: Hardie Grant

It's French cooking, so naturally, a sauce is involved. In this case, it's the oozy centre of a delectable chocolate pud.

Austria is all about Sacher

Franz Sacher was only 16 years old when he created the cake that went on to conquer the world. Source: Alan Benson

The rich and elegant Sacher torte is perhaps the most famous chocolate cake in the world (shh, quiet Black Forest cake, you'll get your turn soon).

Aussies spike it with a little booze

If that icing doesn't make you want to lick the screen, you've no business calling yourself a chocolate cake fan. Source: Murdoch Books / Greg Elms

Rum and raisin is a combination that Australians have always embraced - rum and raisin ice cream, rum and raisin chocolate and, now... rum and raisin chocolate cake. Sweet chocolate gods, we are home.

It's sticky in Sweden

You can also chill kladdkaka to firm up its insides for a denser, fudgier bite. Source: Alan Benson

Kladdkaka is practically the emblem of Swedish cafes - everyone serves a version. The centre is deliberately undercooked to stay nice and gooey ('kladd' means 'sticky' in Swedish).

The no-bake Bosnia take

Keks torta is a coffee-soaked, cream-laden, chocolate-infused everyday treat. Source: Tammi Kwok

Chocolate cream is layered with petit beurre biscuits make a special cake that can stand up to a strong cup of coffee. There's no baking involved, just plenty of time in the fridge.

America bakes for therapy

This recipe makes a GIANT cake, so you can spread the love far and wide. Source: Murdoch Books

Anyone who loves chocolate cake knows it to be true: it can cure all manner of heartache. This rich, extra-chocolatey cake by Ruth Rieichl is literally called "the cake that cures everything" and we believe it.

Don't forget the red velvet

However it gets its colour, red velvet cake is always impressive. Source: Stockfood

Back in the day, a chemical reaction between unprocessed cocoa and buttermilk gave the red velvet cake its distinctive hue. Nowadays it's more likely coloured by food dye or beetroot.

Morocco adds dates

Moroccans are huge tea drinkers and a slice of cake to accompany an afternoon cup is a must. Source: Hassan M’Souli

Mix in some dates and almonds with your chocolate cake and you'll instantly add a hit of Morocco to your afternoon tea time.

Germany's favourite

Everyone should make a Black Forest cake at least once. Source: John Laurie

Does this much-adored layered chocolate, cherry and kirsch cake need an introduction? Didn't think so!

Hungary adds plenty of nuts

Nuts are especially good when turned into praline and piled onto chocolate sponge cake. Source: Alan Benson

The grillazs torta from Hungary showcases what sublime addition nuts are to chocolate cake. Who doesn't love some nutty crunch in their choco cake?

Italians love a chocolate torta

What makes this coffee-spiked cake particularly alluring is a generous splash of Frangelico.. Source: Silvia Colloca

You'll find many variations on a chocolate torta theme across Italy. The torta gianduja hails from Piemonte and is an excellent jumping-off point.

Mexico turns up the heat

This layered chocolate cake is made with ancho chilli paste and chilli-infused icing. Source: Feast / John Laurie

Are you surprised to learn that in Mexico, chilli is added to both cake and icing? Neither were we!