Description
A rich and moist chocolate layer cake with a smooth chocolate ganache frosting, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup hot coffee (or hot water)
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 24 oz semi-sweet or dark chocolate, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (optional, for extra shine)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line two 8-inch round cake pans with parchment; lightly dust with cocoa powder.
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
- Slowly pour in hot coffee and mix until the batter is thin and fully combined.
- Divide batter evenly between pans. Bake 28–32 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool in pans 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack to cool completely.
- Heat heavy cream until steaming (not boiling). Pour over chopped chocolate. Let sit 2 minutes, then whisk until glossy. Stir in butter and a pinch of salt if using.
- Let ganache sit at room temp, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to a spreadable frosting consistency (about 60–90 minutes). For faster thickening, refrigerate in short bursts, stirring often.
- Level cake layers if needed. Spread a thick layer of ganache on the first cake layer, add the second layer, then frost the top and sides.
- Smooth the top for a glossy look and pipe ganache swirls around the edge if desired. Chill 20–30 minutes to set before slicing.
Notes
- Use high-quality chocolate for the best ganache.
- Let the cake cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- For a firmer ganache, refrigerate longer.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 70g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: chocolate ganache layer cake, chocolate ganache frosting, moist chocolate cake, chocolate fudge cake, bakery style chocolate cake, triple chocolate cake