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Decadent Whiskey Chocolate Ganache Layer Cake

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A rich and indulgent chocolate layer cake infused with whiskey and topped with a silky whiskey chocolate ganache, perfect for special occasions or cozy nights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • ¾ cup (75g) unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably Dutch-processed
  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  • 1 ½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, room temperature (or milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice)
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup (60ml) whiskey (bourbon recommended)
  • 1 ½ cups (360ml) heavy cream
  • 14 oz (400g) bittersweet or dark chocolate, chopped finely (60-70% cocoa recommended)
  • 3 tbsp (42g) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2 tbsp (30ml) whiskey
  • 1 tbsp light corn syrup or honey (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans or line with parchment paper.
  2. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3–5 minutes.
  4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
  5. Mix in vanilla extract and whiskey until combined.
  6. With the mixer on low speed, alternate adding one-third of the dry ingredients and half of the buttermilk, ending with dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.
  7. Divide batter evenly into prepared pans and smooth tops with a spatula.
  8. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  9. Cool the cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to cooling racks to cool completely.
  10. Heat heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat until just simmering.
  11. Pour cream over chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Let sit for 2 minutes, then whisk gently until smooth.
  12. Whisk in butter, whiskey, and optional corn syrup until glossy and thickened. Adjust consistency by warming gently or chilling briefly if needed.
  13. Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread a generous layer of ganache over the top.
  14. Add the second layer and cover the entire cake with remaining ganache, smoothing with a spatula.
  15. Chill the assembled cake for 30 minutes to set the ganache before serving.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for best texture. Sift cocoa powder to avoid clumps. Watch oven closely to avoid drying out the cake. If ganache is too thick, warm gently; if too thin, chill briefly. Use a whiskey you enjoy as its flavor subtly enhances the cake. Let cake layers cool completely before applying ganache to prevent melting. Ganache can be warmed gently if it firms up too much before assembling.

Nutrition

Keywords: whiskey chocolate cake, chocolate ganache cake, layered cake, homemade cake, whiskey dessert, easy chocolate cake, indulgent dessert

Find it online: https://pokirecipes.com/decadent-whiskey-chocolate-ganache-layer-cake-recipe-easy-homemade-indulgence/