There’s nothing quite like a slice of homemade chocolate cake, whether it’s for a birthday, an anniversary, or just a special treat to satisfy your sweet tooth. Today, we’ll go through the steps to create a rich, moist chocolate cake with a silky smooth chocolate ganache topping that will impress your family and friends.
Ingredients:
- For the Cake:
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup hot water or hot coffee
- For the Chocolate Ganache:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- Optional toppings: chocolate shavings, fresh berries, or powdered sugar
Instructions:
- Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, mix the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla until well combined. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Gradually pour in the hot water or coffee and continue mixing until the batter is smooth. The batter will be thin, but this is what makes the cake moist.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- While the cakes are cooling, prepare the chocolate ganache. Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat just until it begins to simmer.
- Place the chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl and pour the hot cream over it. Let it sit for a few minutes to melt the chocolate, then stir until smooth and glossy.
- Once the cakes have cooled, place one layer on a serving plate and pour some ganache over the top, spreading it gently to cover the surface. Place the second layer on top and pour the rest of the ganache over the cake, using a spatula to spread it over the sides. Let it set for about 10 minutes.
- Decorate the cake with optional toppings such as chocolate shavings, fresh berries, or a dusting of powdered sugar if desired.
- Your homemade chocolate cake with chocolate ganache is now ready to be enjoyed! Slice and serve for a truly indulgent experience.
The beauty of this chocolate cake recipe is its simplicity and versatility. Mix and match with different toppings or fillings to make it uniquely yours. Remember, the key to a moist cake is to not overbake it and to let the hot water or coffee bring out the depth of the cocoa. Happy baking!