The Ultimate Chocolate Ganache Cake Recipe
A rich and moist chocolate cake layered and frosted with smooth dark chocolate ganache, topped with delicate chocolate shavings. Perfect for chocolate lovers seeking an indulgent dessert with a velvety texture and intense cocoa flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
- ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup boiling water
Frosting & Decoration
- 2 cups dark chocolate ganache
- 1 cup chocolate shavings
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep Pans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 8-inch cake pans thoroughly and line the bottoms with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to ensure an even texture free of lumps.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the large eggs, whole milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract together until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
- Make the Batter: Gradually add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until combined. Carefully pour in the boiling water and stir the batter. It will be thin and watery, which is completely normal for a moist cake.
- Bake the Cake: Evenly divide the batter between the prepared pans. Place them in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean. After baking, let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool fully.
- Assemble the Cake: Once the cakes are completely cool, spread a layer of dark chocolate ganache between the two cake layers. Then use the remaining ganache to frost the top and sides evenly, creating a smooth finish.
- Decorate: Generously sprinkle chocolate shavings on top of the cake. For best results, chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before slicing and serving to allow the ganache to set properly.
Notes
- Be sure the cakes are completely cool before frosting to prevent the ganache from melting.
- The boiling water in the batter helps intensify the cocoa flavor and keeps the cake moist.
- You can make the ganache ahead of time and refrigerate it; warm slightly to spread easily.
- Use high-quality dark chocolate for ganache for best flavor.
- Store leftover cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Keywords: chocolate cake, chocolate ganache, chocolate dessert, moist chocolate cake, layered cake
