Chocolate Cake with Whipped Mocha Ganache Frosting
True story… I’ve never been much of a cake person.
Well, let me clarify… I’m not a plain cake person. One of those cookie cutter, store-bought yellow or white sheet cakes slathered with icing just isn’t my thing. However, my excitement over cake goes up exponentially if the cake is either chocolate or contains lots of awesome flavors (I’m talking things like coconut, caramel apple, pineapple or *ahem* peanut butter).
I’ve always had a soft spot for chocolate cakes that are uncomplicated in nature with a bit of a flair… things like Coca-Cola cake, Mrs. Dill’s chocolate cake, better than “anything” cake, and ho ho cake. This cake definitely falls into that category – it’s a very simple chocolate cake that has a devil’s food flavor to it, and is topped with the most amazing whipped ganache frosting. With espresso powder and Kahlua, it’s certainly not for the faint of heart!
I’ve probably mentioned it before, but I’m a huge Ina Garten fan… she’s my food and entertaining hero. When she comes out with a new cookbook, I read it cover to cover. I did just that when her Make It Ahead book was released and immediately bookmarked three quarters of the recipes. This cake was one of those recipes and I was dying to make it… a simple chocolate cake with a fabulous flair – right up my alley! My Chief Culinary Consultant stood over the finished cake and said it smelled so good that he wanted his smash his face into it… now that’s a sure sign of a successful cake!
If you love chocolate and coffee and silky smooth ganache, you’ll want to run into the kitchen to make this.
One year ago: Pizza Burgers
Two years ago: Tomato Mozzarella Tart
Three years ago: Hot Corn and Cheese Dip
Seven years ago: Pasta Fagioli
Chocolate Cake with Whipped Mocha Ganache Frosting
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 1¾ cups (218.75 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ cup (170.25 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 eggs, at room temperature
- ⅔ cup (166.67 ml) hottest tap water
- ⅔ cup (57.33 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
- ⅔ cup (157.73 g) half-and-half
For the Frosting:
- 12 ounces (340.2 g) dark chocolate, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
- 1¼ cups (297.5 ml) heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Kahlua
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Make the Cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x13-inch pan; set aside.
- In a medium bowl, sift together the flour and baking soda, then stir in the salt.
- Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed for 5 minutes, until light and fluffy. Scrape down the bowl, then add the vanilla and beat in the eggs, one at a time, until incorporated and the batter is smooth.
- In a medium bowl or large liquid measuring cup, whisk together the hot water, cocoa powder and espresso powder until smooth. Add the half-and-half and whisk until smooth.
- With the mixer on low, add the flour and chocolate mixtures alternately in thirds, beginning and ending with the flour. With a rubber spatula, scrape down the bowl and ensure that the batter is well-mixed.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smooth the top, and bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.
- Make the Frosting: Place the chocolate, butter and espresso powder in a large bowl. Pour the cream into a small saucepan and place over medium heat until it simmers. Remove from the heat and pour it evenly over the chocolate mixture. Let stand for 1 minute, then gently stir with a rubber spatula until everything is melted and smooth. Stir in the Kahlua and vanilla extract until thoroughly combined. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Scrape down the bowl and beat the frosting with a handheld mixer on high speed for ONLY 15 to 20 seconds, until the mixture forms soft peaks (if you overbeat it, it will curdle). Immediately spread on the cake and serve. The cake can be stored, covered, at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
I would have skipped the espresso powder I think, at least in the frosting. I found it made it just a bit too bitter for my taste. Loved the consistency and ease of the frosting; I’m partial to a moister chocolate cake (not that this was dry) so this won’t be my go-to, but I will definitely try the choc frosting again minus the espresso powder!
I made this cake for my grandson’s birthday. It was a hit! Just omitted the coffee and glazed with milk chocolate ganache instead of the mocha frosting.
Thank you for sharing.
I love your best chocolate cake recipe which you also use for your Oreo cake. I think it’s the best chocolate cake I’ve ever had. That being said, do you think it would go just as well with this ganache or is this cake recipe better with it in your opinion?
I made this cake and it is delicious. Been trying to find a recipe with “intense” chocolate flavor. This is it! I had read the reviews and my cake took exactly 20 minutes like the recipe said. The frosting (ganache) was another story…30 minutes in the fridge and I tried to whip the ganache. No Bueno! So, having read those comments…back into the fridge for another hour. And success, it never set up and got stiff but was fluffy. I did refrigerate the cake, just to “set up” the frosting to my liking. Great cake!
Making this again!!! So excited!! Chocolate cake craving and this is the best!
I notice that you use a glass dish to cook your cake in … is this correct as I always use a metal baking pan.
Hi Heather, You could use either unless a recipe specifically states otherwise.