Description
This elegant layer cake is a stunning blend of textures and flavors — soft chocolate sponge, creamy vanilla filling, and a smooth dark chocolate ganache. Topped with whipped cream swirls and chocolate chips, it’s as luxurious as it looks!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (65 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100 g) light brown sugar
- ¾ cup (180 ml) vegetable oil
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk
- ½ cup (120 ml) hot coffee or hot water
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1¼ cups (300 ml) heavy whipping cream, cold
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (60 g) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup (170 g) dark or semisweet chocolate chips
- ¾ cup (180 ml) heavy cream
- 1 tbsp butter (optional, for shine)
- ½ cup sweetened whipped cream (for piping)
- Mini chocolate chips or curls (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and line two 8-inch (20 cm) round or square pans.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat sugars, oil, and eggs until smooth. Add vanilla and mix.
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk until combined. Stir in hot coffee last.
- Pour batter evenly into pans and bake for 25–30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely on wire racks.
- Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, mix until creamy.
- Whip heavy cream separately until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until light and fluffy. Chill for 15 minutes.
- Heat cream in a saucepan until just steaming. Pour over chocolate chips, let sit 1 minute, then stir until smooth. Add butter if desired for a glossy finish. Let cool slightly before using.
- Place one chocolate cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a thick layer of vanilla cream filling evenly over the top. Add a thin drizzle of ganache over the cream for extra decadence (optional). Top with the second cake layer.
- Pour ganache over the top and let it drip down the sides smoothly. Chill for 30 minutes to set.
- Pipe swirls of whipped cream on top. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips or curls over the cream. Slice and serve chilled or slightly cool.
Notes
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for best results.
- Chilling the cake helps the ganache set properly.
- For a richer flavor, use high-quality chocolate for the ganache.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 80mg