Decadent Chocolate Ganache Layer Cake

Indulge in the ultimate dessert experience with this spectacular Old Fashioned Chocolate Layer Cake Filled with White Chocolate Ganache. This exquisite dessert is a true masterpiece, boasting an abundance of rich chocolate flavors and a delightful surprise filling that makes it perfect for any celebration. Our comprehensive Chocolate Cake Recipe promises a moist, tender crumb and an unforgettable taste, proving to be a resounding success, particularly at my oldest son’s recent birthday celebration.

There’s nothing quite like a homemade chocolate cake to elevate a special occasion, and this moist, from-scratch creation truly stands apart. Crafted with love and an unwavering commitment to flavor, this cake features a luxurious white chocolate ganache filling, adding an unexpected layer of creamy decadence. Every forkful is a symphony of textures and tastes, delivering sheer bliss with each delightful bite. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone birthday, an anniversary, or simply a desire for something extraordinary, this cake is designed to impress and satisfy even the most discerning palates. It’s more than just a dessert; it’s a culinary experience waiting to be savored.

Why This Chocolate Layer Cake Is a Must-Bake

This isn’t just another chocolate cake; it’s an heirloom-worthy recipe perfected over time, designed to bring joy and create lasting memories. Here’s why you absolutely need to try your hand at this incredible creation:

• A Timeless Classic, Reimagined: The foundation of this cake is a tried-and-true old-fashioned chocolate layer cake recipe, renowned for its deep cocoa flavor and wonderfully tender texture. It’s a classic for a reason, promising comfort and indulgence with every slice.
• The Ultimate Flavor Combination: What truly elevates this cake to extraordinary heights is the addition of a rich, creamy white chocolate ganache layer nestled between the dark chocolate cake layers. This brilliant contrast of sweet, milky white chocolate with intense, robust dark chocolate creates a harmonious balance that is utterly irresistible and pushes it over the top!
• Visual & Culinary Perfection: Just look at that rich, glossy chocolate frosting! It’s not just delicious; it’s visually stunning, promising a luxurious experience before you even take the first bite. The smooth, elegant finish hints at the decadent flavors within, making it a show-stopping centerpiece for any gathering.
• A Cake for Cherished Moments: Beyond its exceptional taste, this cake carries a tradition of celebration and warmth. For our family, it’s become a beloved custom to bake this chocolate layer cake a couple of days after Christmas. Even as we’re still delightfully full from the holiday feasting, this special cake marks one more joyful event before the New Year rings in. This tradition began 26 years ago, shortly after the birth of my oldest son, Thomas. His request for a chocolate cake filled with white chocolate ganache became an instant classic in our home, cementing its place in our family’s culinary history.

The story of this cake is deeply intertwined with the memory of Thomas’s birth. He wasn’t due until after New Year’s Day, and with my husband, Bill, scheduled to make rounds over the holidays, I decided to drive my little red Toyota over the snow-covered interstate to visit my parents. It was a serene journey, anticipating the quiet joys of a family Christmas before the impending arrival. After a beautiful celebration with my family, I returned home, ready to work a full evening shift on the oncology ward. Bill and I were both utterly exhausted as we finally fell into bed late on December 26th, having spent a full day caring for patients. Hours later, I awoke to the unmistakable rhythm of labor pains. Little Thomas made his grand entrance into the world before noon the very next day, a beautiful baby with a head full of wild brown hair and his dad’s captivating eyes. I was instantly smitten, and a new chapter, filled with love and, as it turned out, a deep appreciation for chocolate, began.

The Perfect Birthday Cake Recipe for Any Age

From his earliest days, it was clear that Tom shared his father’s profound love for chocolate. While it naturally took a few months before he could truly indulge, his passion for cocoa-infused treats blossomed rapidly. I vividly recall his toddler years, pounding on the refrigerator door with an insistent “puddy, puddy, puddy” repeating over and over. My carefully hidden stash of chocolate Jell-O pudding cups, kept on hand for quick snacks, had become his absolute favorite treat. This early, adorable obsession with chocolate set a clear precedent for all future birthday celebrations. Birthdays, in our household, always demanded some form of chocolate cake or pie. So, when it came to his special day, the birthday boy’s request for a chocolate layer cake was non-negotiable, but with a delightful twist: a surprise white chocolate ganache filling in the middle, making it even more extraordinary.

Crafting Your Decadent Chocolate Layer Cake: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating this masterpiece is a rewarding process, combining classic baking techniques with a touch of innovative flair. I carefully tweaked a beloved old-fashioned chocolate layer cake recipe, enhancing its inherent richness and introducing a thick, luscious layer of white chocolate ganache. This unexpected filling, along with an incredibly rich chocolate buttercream frosting, is what truly propelled this cake into the realm of the unforgettable. Here’s a simplified overview of the journey to chocolate perfection:

• Bake and Cool the Layers: Begin by preparing and baking the tender chocolate cake layers. Once baked, allow them to cool completely on a wire rack. This critical step ensures the cake’s structure is firm and ready for assembly. You’ll find this recipe yields three layers, providing an extra layer you can lovingly reserve for another occasion, or use it for an even taller, more dramatic cake.
• Prepare and Chill the Ganache: The white chocolate ganache is the hidden gem of this cake. Prepare this creamy filling according to the recipe, then chill it until it reaches a perfectly spreadable consistency. This ensures it holds its shape beautifully when layered.
• Assemble and Chill the Cake: Carefully spread the chilled ganache between your cooled cake layers. Once assembled, cover the cake and chill it thoroughly. This allows the ganache to firm up, creating a stable foundation for the frosting and preventing any unwanted shifting or oozing.
• Whip Up the Frosting and Decorate: Next, prepare the rich chocolate buttercream frosting. Its smooth, velvety texture is the ideal complement to the deep chocolate cake and sweet ganache. Generously frost the chilled cake, embracing the joy of creating a beautiful finish.
• Final Chill and Serve: Keep your magnificent creation in the refrigerator until about an hour before serving. Bringing it out allows the cake and frosting to come to a slightly warmer temperature, enhancing the flavors and ensuring the most tender, melt-in-your-mouth experience.

While my husband, with a playful grin, jokingly declared the frosting to be “a chocolate party in his mouth” (a far more interesting quote than his initial “good, really, really good”), the overall experience of this cake was pure magic. It was so incredibly moist that slicing it perfectly proved to be a delightful challenge. Yet, the exquisite combination of the tender chocolate cake, the sweet and creamy white chocolate ganache, and the opulent chocolate buttercream icing created one truly spectacular tasting cake. Perhaps not up to my exacting standards for pristine, bakery-perfect slices, but undeniably worth sharing for its absolutely amazing flavor. I proudly sent the delightful leftovers of this chocolate layer cake home with the grown-up version of my son, and he and one of his roommates made the executive decision not to share it with any of their friends. For a baker, that, I believe, is the highest compliment!

Expert Tips for Baking Your Best Chocolate Layer Cake

Achieving a perfect chocolate layer cake requires a few clever tricks and careful attention to detail. These pro tips will guide you toward baking success, ensuring your cake is as delicious as it is beautiful:

• Parchment Paper is Your Best Friend: To minimize any sticking and ensure your beautiful cake layers release cleanly from the pans, always line the bottom of your baking pans with rounds of parchment paper. This simple step prevents frustrating tears and crumbling.
• Proper Pan Preparation: Beyond parchment, ensure your pans are thoroughly greased and floured, or use a high-quality non-stick baking spray that contains both oil and flour. This dual protection creates a barrier, allowing your cakes to slide out effortlessly.
• The Art of Cooling: Patience is key when cooling cakes. Allow your baked layers to cool on a wire rack in their pans for about 10 minutes. This allows the cake to firm up slightly. After 10 minutes, invert them onto the rack to finish cooling completely. Cooling them out of the pans prevents steam from getting trapped, which can make the bottoms soggy.
• Room Temperature Ingredients Matter: For most baking recipes, and especially this one, ensure your eggs are at room temperature unless specified otherwise. Room temperature eggs emulsify better with other ingredients, creating a smoother, more uniform batter and contributing to a lighter, more tender crumb.
• Gentle Mixing for Tender Cakes: After adding your dry ingredients to the wet, mix only until they are just combined. Over-mixing at this stage will activate the gluten in the flour, leading to a tough, dense cake. Mix only until no streaks of flour remain; do not beat the batter extensively.
• PRO-Tip: Check Your Leavening: This recipe expertly uses both baking soda and baking powder. Before you even start mixing, make it a habit to check the expiration date on your baking powder. It has a shorter shelf life than many pantry staples and often loses its potency while sitting in your cupboard, leading to flat cakes.
• The Secret to Supreme Moisture: The combination of buttermilk, oil, and an extra egg yolk in this recipe is a powerful trio. Buttermilk adds a subtle tang and helps tenderize the cake, oil contributes a moistness that butter sometimes can’t achieve alone, and the extra egg yolk adds richness and helps bind the ingredients for an incredibly tender crumb.
• PRO-Tip: Coffee Enhances Chocolate: Did you know that coffee intensifies the flavor of chocolate without imparting its own taste? Despite the 1½ cups of coffee in the batter, you won’t detect any coffee flavor. Instead, it deepens and enriches the chocolate notes from the cocoa and chocolate, making your cake taste even more profoundly chocolatey.
• Avoid Over-Baking: Over-baking is the quickest way to dry out a cake. Begin checking your cakes around the 35-minute mark with a toothpick inserted into the center. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached, your cake is done. If there’s wet batter on the toothpick, continue baking for a few more minutes.
• PRO-Tip: Perfect Ganache Consistency: For a structurally sound and beautiful cake, it’s crucial to chill your white chocolate ganache to a thick, yet still spreadable consistency before you use it as a filling. This prevents it from dripping or squeezing out when the top cake layer is added. Refrigerate the entire assembled cake again before frosting so the ganache is well chilled and firm.
• Slicing Like a Pro: Slicing a tall, frosted layer cake can be tricky, especially avoiding smudging chocolate onto the pristine white ganache. Use a long, sharp serrated knife, and wipe the blade clean with a damp cloth after each slice. But don’t fret if your slices aren’t absolutely perfect – the incredible taste will undoubtedly distract from any less-than-bakery-perfect pieces!

Explore More Irresistible Birthday Cake Recipes:

If you’re looking for more inspiration for your next celebration, or simply love a good homemade cake, here are some other fantastic birthday cake recipes to try:

• Classic Carrot Cake – This is always my personal top choice for a birthday cake, packed with flavor and moisture!
• Classic Yellow Butter Cake – A timeless favorite, this cake is always a hit, especially when paired with a rich chocolate frosting.
• Fudge Layer Cake – An impressive multi-layer creation that any dedicated chocoholic will adore!
• Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake – Discover another old-fashioned recipe that delivers one of the moistest chocolate cakes you’ll ever have the pleasure of tasting!
• German Chocolate Cake – A classic for a reason, with its signature coconut-pecan frosting.
• Ding Dong Cake – Relive a childhood favorite with this nostalgic and delicious cake.
• White Layer Cake – A beautifully light and fluffy option for those who prefer vanilla and delicate flavors.
• And for even more options, explore our extensive collection of Cake Recipes to find your next baking adventure!

This exceptional Chocolate Layer Cake Recipe was originally introduced in January 2013, quickly becoming a cherished favorite. The photos and accompanying text were thoughtfully updated in 2019, shortly after we shared this utterly decadent cake with our wonderful neighbors at our annual 4th of July party. As testament to its irresistible flavor, there was absolutely nothing left but crumbs by the end of the evening!

The Recipe:

Chocolate Layer Cake Filled with White Chocolate Ganache

Prep Time
40 minutes

Cook Time
45 minutes

Total Time
1 hour 25 minutes

Yield
16 servings

Tender, moist chocolate cake filled with white chocolate ganache and finished off with a thick layer of chocolate frosting!

Ingredients

• 5 ounces semisweet chocolate (chopped)
• 1 ½ cups very hot coffee
• 3 cups sugar
• 2 ½ cups flour
• 1 ½ cups cocoa powder (sifted)
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• ¾ teaspoons. baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 3 whole eggs and 1 egg yolk (at room temperature)
• ¾ cup canola oil
• 1 ½ cups buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Filling:

• 12 ounces white chocolate (chopped)
• ½ cup heavy cream

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

• 10 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 ½ cups (3 sticks) butter, room temperature
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla

Instructions

1. To make the cake: Preheat oven to 325º. Coat three 8 or 9-inch cake pans with non-stick spray and then line the bottom of the pans with rounds of parchment paper. Note that this recipe makes 3 layers, but only 2 are needed for this cake.
2. Put very hot coffee into a medium bowl. Add chocolate, let sit for 5 minutes, then whisk until fully melted. Set aside.
3. In a stand mixer, combine 3 eggs and 1 extra yolk with the sugar and beat until light and pale yellow, approximately 3 minutes.
4. Add the oil, buttermilk, and vanilla and beat until combined.
5. Add flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and powder, and salt and beat until combined. Add chocolate mixture and mix until just fully incorporated.
6. Divide batter between pans and bake in the middle of the oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 40-45 minutes.
7. Remove to cooling rack. Cool for about 10 minutes, then remove from pans and allow to cool completely.
8. Carefully peel off the parchment. Wrap and freeze one of the 3 layers to use at a later time. You can make a 3 layer cake, but you will need more filling and frosting.
9. To make filling: Melt cream and white chocolate in the microwave, stopping and stirring at 30-second increments till smooth and melted. Refrigerate mixture till cool and thick (you do not want the filling to be hard, but if it is too runny, it will run down the sides of the cake when the second layer is placed over it).
10. To make the frosting: Place chopped chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave, stopping to stir frequently until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Let the chocolate cool until lukewarm, stirring occasionally.
11. Beat butter in a large bowl until smooth and creamy (I used my stand mixer with the paddle attachment). Sift powdered sugar over the butter and beat until well blended, about 2 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Add melted chocolate and beat until well blended, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
12. Frost as desired.

Notes

This recipe makes an extra layer which you can wrap and freeze to use later.
I had leftover frosting and calorie count is based on using all the frosting.

Recommended Products

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• KitchenAid KSM150PSER Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer with Pouring Shield, 5-Quart, Empire Red
• Baking Rack Cooling Rack Set of 2
• 8-inch Cake Pan

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

16

Serving Size:

1 slice

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 714Total Fat: 30gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 336mgCarbohydrates: 109gFiber: 4gSugar: 86gProtein: 8g

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