Decadent Chocolate Cake with Rich Ganache Recipe

If you are ready to indulge in a truly unforgettable dessert, look no further than this Decadent Chocolate Cake with Rich Ganache Recipe. This cake features a perfectly moist, deeply chocolatey crumb enhanced by a hint of coffee and topped with an irresistibly smooth, glossy ganache. Every bite offers a luxurious balance of flavors and textures that delight all your senses. Whether you are baking for a special occasion or simply craving a luscious treat, this recipe will quickly become your go-to favorite and a stellar way to impress your loved ones.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Creating such an extraordinary cake might sound fancy, but it all comes down to simple, thoughtful ingredients that work in harmony. Each one plays a crucial role in the cake’s moistness, richness, and that perfect chocolate depth we all crave.

• All-purpose flour: The foundation that gives the cake structure while keeping it tender.
• White sugar: Sweetens uniformly and creates just the right crumb.
• Cocoa powder: Provides that pure, deep chocolate flavor that shines through every slice.
• Baking powder and baking soda: Together, these leaveners ensure a perfectly risen, light texture.
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors, balancing sweetness and intensifying chocolate notes.
• Milk: Adds moisture and richness to keep the cake soft and tender.
• Vegetable oil: Keeps the crumb delightfully moist and ensures it stays fresh longer.
• Eggs: Bind everything together and add additional richness.
• Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and an inviting aroma that rounds out the flavor.
• Nescafe coffee stick: Adds subtle depth to the chocolate and enhances its richness beautifully.
• Hot water: Dissolves the coffee and blends the dry ingredients for a velvety batter.
• Dark chocolate (for ganache): The star of the ganache, melted to creamy perfection.
• Heavy cream: Creates the ganache’s luscious, smooth texture.
• Unsalted butter: Adds a glossy finish and silkiness to the ganache.

How to Make Decadent Chocolate Cake with Rich Ganache Recipe

Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare Your Pans

Getting your oven to the perfect temperature of 350°F (180°C) and preparing your pans is a wonderful way to start. Whether you grease and flour them or line them with parchment paper, this step ensures your cake layers release beautifully and bake evenly.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Whisk together all your dry ingredients, including the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Sifting these preserves the lightness of the cocoa and combines the flavors evenly—this step is key for a smooth and fluffy cake texture.

Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk the milk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and slightly frothy. This mixture adds moisture and richness while acting as the glue that will bring everything together.

Step 4: Bring Wet and Dry Ingredients Together

Slowly add the wet ingredients into the dry, mixing gently but thoroughly. This process creates a harmonious batter, free from lumps, perfect for the amazing crumb texture that will bake up in your oven.

Step 5: Dissolve the Coffee and Add to the Batter

One of the secrets to unlocking the fullest chocolate flavor in this Decadent Chocolate Cake with Rich Ganache Recipe is coffee. Dissolve your Nescafe stick in very hot water, then stir it gently into your batter. Coffee acts as a flavor enhancer without adding any bitterness—trust me, you won’t taste the coffee itself but will love the depth it brings.

Step 6: Bake the Cake Layers

Divide the batter evenly between your pans and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. The best test for doneness is a toothpick inserted into the center—it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Once baked, let the cakes cool for 10 minutes in the pans before transferring them to a wire rack. This step helps preserve the delicate crumb as it cools completely.

Step 7: Prepare the Rich Chocolate Ganache

While the cakes cool, it’s time to make that luscious ganache. Heat the heavy cream gently until just simmering—not boiling—and then pour it over the finely chopped dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Let it sit for a minute or two before stirring to a glossy, velvety smooth consistency, which will transform into the perfect frosting.

Step 8: Enhance Ganache with Butter for Extra Shine

Stir in the unsalted butter for an irresistible sheen and extra richness. Allow the ganache to cool until it thickens just enough to spread smoothly without running off the sides of your cake. This step is what makes your frosting so decadently silky.

Step 9: Frost and Assemble Your Cake

Finally, carefully spread your ganache between the cake layers and over the top and sides. This rich topping not only tastes heavenly but also looks magnificent. Let the ganache set before slicing so every piece stays beautifully intact.

How to Serve Decadent Chocolate Cake with Rich Ganache Recipe

Garnishes

A sprinkle of fresh raspberries or a few edible gold flakes instantly elevates this cake’s presentation. Light dustings of cocoa powder or chocolate shavings add a rustic yet elegant touch, making every slice look as exquisite as it tastes.

Side Dishes

This Chocolate Cake pairs wonderfully with lightly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. The creamy contrast complements the rich ganache perfectly, turning each forkful into a divine experience. Fresh berries or a simple cup of aromatic coffee also make fantastic accompaniments.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving this Decadent Chocolate Cake with Rich Ganache Recipe on a beautiful cake stand draped with fresh flowers for special occasions. You can also cut it into petite squares for party bites or transform slices into layered parfaits by combining cake chunks, whipped cream, and berries in elegant glassware.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any cake left (which might be hard to believe!), store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days or in the refrigerator for up to five days. Chilling keeps the ganache firm and the cake moist, making each bite just as delightful as fresh.

Freezing

This Decadent Chocolate Cake with Rich Ganache Recipe freezes beautifully. Wrap the cooled cake layers separately in plastic wrap, then in foil, and freeze for up to three months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and apply fresh ganache or serve as is.

Reheating

Since this cake is best served at room temperature or slightly cool, avoid microwaving the entire cake. If you prefer it slightly warmed, a quick 10-second zap per slice in the microwave will soften the ganache and warm the cake just a bit without compromising its luscious texture.

FAQs

Can I use instant coffee instead of a Nescafe stick?

Absolutely! Instant coffee works perfectly to boost the chocolate flavor. Just use an equivalent amount dissolved in hot water, making sure it blends smoothly into the batter.

Is it okay to substitute butter for vegetable oil in this recipe?

You can use melted butter if you prefer, but keep in mind oil makes the cake moister and tends to keep it fresh longer. Butter will add its own richness but might make the cake slightly denser.

How do I know when the cake is properly baked?

The best way is the toothpick test. Insert a toothpick into the center of the cake; if it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, your cake is ready. If batter sticks, give it a few more minutes and try again.

Can I make the ganache ahead of time?

Yes, ganache can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Before frosting, warm it gently to soften, then whisk until smooth and spreadable.

What if I don’t have heavy cream for the ganache?

You can substitute with full-fat coconut milk for a dairy-free option or use a mixture of milk and butter, but the texture may not be as rich and silky as with heavy cream.

Final Thoughts

There is something truly magical about baking and sharing this Decadent Chocolate Cake with Rich Ganache Recipe. It is a dessert that brings joy with every luscious bite and is surprisingly simple to create. Once you try this recipe, it will become your treasured classic, perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or cozy nights in. So, dive in, gather your ingredients, and treat yourself and your loved ones to a slice of pure chocolate bliss!

Decadent Chocolate Cake with Rich Ganache Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.3 from 208 reviews

• Author: admin
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 12 servings 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

This Decadent Chocolate Cake with Rich Ganache is a luscious, moist chocolate cake layered with a smooth and glossy dark chocolate ganache. Infused with subtle coffee notes to enhance the chocolate flavor, this cake is perfect for celebrations or any time you crave an indulgent dessert.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Cake:

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups white sugar
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 Nescafe stick (2 grams of coffee)
• 1 cup hot water (very hot)

For the Chocolate Ganache:

• 200 grams dark chocolate, finely chopped
• 200 ml heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Prepare the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set this mixture aside.
3. Combine the wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until fully combined and smooth.
4. Combine the wet and dry ingredients: Gradually pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients, mixing carefully until just combined without overmixing.
5. Dissolve the coffee: Dissolve the 2 grams of Nescafe stick coffee in the very hot water. Add this coffee mixture to the cake batter and stir until smooth and evenly incorporated. The coffee enhances the chocolate flavor without overpowering it.
6. Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean. Allow the cakes to cool in their pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Make the ganache: Place the chopped dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl. In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm the heavy cream until it just begins to simmer—do not let it boil. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and let it sit for 1 to 2 minutes.
8. Stir in butter: Gently stir the cream and chocolate mixture until smooth and fully melted. Add the unsalted butter and stir until the ganache is glossy and well combined. Let it cool slightly until thickened to a spreadable consistency.
9. Frost the cake: Once the cakes are completely cooled, spread a layer of ganache over one cake layer. Place the second cake on top and frost the entire cake with the remaining ganache. Allow the ganache to set at room temperature before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Ensure the coffee is very hot to fully dissolve and blend smoothly into the batter.
• Do not overmix the batter to keep the cake light and tender.
• Keep an eye on the ganache while heating cream to avoid boiling, which can cause separation.
• Ganache consistency can be adjusted by chilling briefly if too runny, or warming slightly if too firm.
• Store cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, bring to room temperature before serving for best flavor.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American