Anime Food Lab
Studio Ghibli·Sweets & DessertsMedium

Kiki's Delivery Service Chocolate Cake

Prep
45m
Cook
30m
Total
1h 15m
Serves
8
Difficulty
Medium
Kiki's Delivery Service Chocolate Cake plated and ready to serve

At the end of Kiki's Delivery Service, Madame sends Kiki a chocolate cake as a thank-you for her kindness — the one piped with a witch on a broom, a little green tree, and "KIKI" in bold white letters. It is one of Miyazaki's most memorable sweets, and this recipe recreates both the flavor and the look.

The sponge follows the classic "Black Magic" approach — buttermilk, cooled coffee, and vegetable oil in the batter keep the crumb deeply moist without a butter-creamed base. A simple chocolate-chip ganache tops the cake with intense dark-chocolate flavor, just like the glossy finish on screen.

Start the frosting first — it needs two chill sessions in the fridge before it spreads cleanly. While it chills, bake the single 9-inch layer, cool completely, then sketch the anime design with a toothpick before piping. Plan about 45 minutes of active work plus chilling and cooling time.

Ingredients

Recipe ingredients

  • Unsweetened Cocoa PowderKey
    ¼ cup + 2 tbsp
  • Semi-Sweet Chocolate ChipsKey

    for ganache; finely chopped if needed

    1 1/2 cups mini chips (~250 g)
  • ButtermilkKey
    ½ cup
  • Store-Bought White Frosting

    for piping KIKI and silhouette

    1 cup
  • Decorating Icing Pens

    tree and bow colors

    2 pens

Pantry staples

Salt, oil, butter, and other basics you likely already have — scaled with servings above.

  • Granulated sugar1 cup
  • All-purpose flour¾ cup + 2 tbsp
  • Baking soda1 tsp
  • Baking powder½ tsp
  • Kosher salt½ tsp
  • Eggs1 large
  • Brewed coffee (cooled) · cooled; instant coffee works1/2 cup
  • Neutral oil1/4 cup
  • Vanilla extract1/2 tsp
  • Heavy cream · for ganache3/4 cup
  • Unsalted butter · for ganache2 tbsp

Instructions

  1. 1

    Make and chill the ganache

    Place 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips (~250 g) in a large bowl. Heat 3/4 cup heavy cream and 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat until just boiling, stirring often. Pour the hot cream over the chips and whisk until smooth. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour, stir, then chill again until spreadable — about 1 more hour (or make up to a day ahead).

  2. 2

    Prep the pan and oven

    Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Thoroughly coat a 9-inch round cake pan with cooking spray or butter and flour — this batter loves to stick.

  3. 3

    Whisk the dry ingredients

    In a large bowl, whisk 1 cup granulated sugar, ¾ cup plus 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, ¼ cup plus 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tsp baking soda, ½ tsp baking powder, and ½ tsp kosher salt until evenly combined.

  4. 4

    Mix the batter

    Whisk in 1 large egg, 1/2 cup buttermilk, 1/2 cup cooled brewed coffee, 1/4 cup neutral oil, and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract. Beat briskly for 2 minutes until the batter is smooth and glossy.

  5. 5

    Bake

    Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake 25–30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

  6. 6

    Cool completely

    Set the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then turn the cake out and cool completely before frosting. Warm cake will melt the ganache.

  7. 7

    Frost the cake

    Spread a layer of chilled chocolate ganache over the top and sides with an offset spatula or butter knife. Let it set 5–10 minutes.

  8. 8

    Sketch and pipe the anime design

    Use a toothpick to lightly mark Kiki on her broom, the small evergreen tree, and the "KIKI" lettering — our screenshot is the best reference. Pipe white frosting for the silhouette and name, then use decorating icing pens for the tree and bow. Let the icing set 5–10 minutes.

  9. 9

    Serve

    Slice and serve to your favorite hardworking witch — or anyone who deserves a thank-you cake.

Pro tips

This cake sticks — spray a 9-inch round pan thoroughly with cooking spray or grease with butter and flour every corner. Make the ganache up to a day ahead if you want to spread the work out. Use a toothpick to outline Kiki, the tree, and the lettering before piping; mistakes smooth away with a small offset spatula. Keep our anime screenshot open beside you while you decorate.

Storage & leftovers

Cover and refrigerate up to 4 days. Bring to room temperature 30 minutes before serving so the ganache softens slightly. Unfrosted cake layers freeze up to 2 months wrapped tightly.

What to serve with

A lace doily and a small brass tray if you want to match the film's presentation — otherwise, slice and share with someone who could use a thank-you.

FAQ

Yes — Madame's thank-you cake delivered to Kiki, with the witch silhouette, green tree, and "KIKI" lettering. It is not the earlier party cake Kiki helps bake for the baker's customer.

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