Ganache-Topped Chocolate Cake

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 20 min. + cooling

Makes

12 servings

Updated: Oct. 19, 2022
To say this cake is elegant would be an understatement. It’s worthy of special occasions, but once you learn how to make chocolate ganache, it's so easy to whip together that you can enjoy it any day of the week. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Ganache-Topped Chocolate Cake Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup boiling water
  • 2 ounces 53% cacao dark baking chocolate, coarsely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon orange extract
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • GANACHE:
  • 1/4 cup half-and-half cream
  • 3 ounces 53% cacao dark baking chocolate, coarsely chopped
  • Optional: Fresh raspberries, confectioners' sugar and baking cocoa

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Pour boiling water over chocolate and butter; stir until smooth. Cool slightly. Whisk in sugar, buttermilk, egg and extracts. Combine flour, baking soda and salt; whisk into chocolate mixture just until blended.
  2. Transfer to a 9-in. round baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 18-22 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely. Place rack on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet.
  3. For ganache, bring cream just to a boil in a small saucepan. Pour over chocolate; whisk until smooth. Cool until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Slowly pour over cake, allowing some ganache to drape over sides.
  4. Refrigerate until serving. If desired, sprinkle with raspberries, confectioners' sugar and cocoa. Cut into wedges.
buttermilk
To substitute for each cup of buttermilk, use 1 Tbsp. white vinegar or lemon juice plus enough milk to measure 1 cup. Stir, then let stand 5 min. Or, use 1 cup plain yogurt or 1-3/4 teaspoon cream of tartar plus 1 cup milk.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 179 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 26mg cholesterol, 236mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.