Quick Chocolate Ganache Cake Recipe Inspired by Ina Garten

Check out the world of chocolate ganache cake, a luxurious dessert that promises pure bliss in every decadent bite.

This heavenly creation weaves intense cocoa notes through silky layers, transforming ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary symphony.

Dark chocolate whispers secrets of indulgence, melting effortlessly across your taste buds with unparalleled smoothness.

Velvety ganache drapes each tender cake layer like a rich, glossy embrace, inviting sensory exploration.

Bakers and chocolate enthusiasts alike revere this classic treat for its elegant simplicity and profound flavor complexity.

Each carefully crafted slice tells a story of passion, technique, and pure gastronomic joy.

Get ready to unleash your inner pastry chef and create a dessert that will leave everyone craving more.

How to Serve Chocolate Ganache Cake

• Elevate with Elegant Toppings: Sprinkle candied violets or delicate chocolate shavings across the ganache for a sophisticated and luxurious presentation that will make your cake look like a professional bakery creation.
• Create a Coffee Lover's Dream: Serve alongside a freshly brewed espresso or cappuccino to complement the subtle coffee notes in the ganache, enhancing the rich chocolate flavor and creating a perfect dessert pairing.
• Design a Decadent Dessert Plate: Place a slice on a white porcelain plate and add a small scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream to balance the intense chocolate flavor and add a creamy contrast.
• Present with Artistic Flair: Use edible gold leaf sparingly to add a touch of glamour, making this cake not just a dessert but a stunning centerpiece that will impress guests at any special occasion.

Proper Storage for Ganache Cake

• Meal Planning & Storage Advice
• Advance Prep Power: Bake the chocolate cake up to 2 days before serving, storing it covered at room temperature to maintain maximum moisture and flavor intensity.
• Ganache Genius: Prepare the ganache glaze just before serving for the most luxurious shine and smooth texture. Store any leftover cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freezing Finesse: Wrap the cake tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving for the best taste and texture.
• Serving Strategy: Cut slices with a warm, clean knife for perfect presentation. Serve at room temperature to experience the full depth of chocolate flavors and creamy ganache coating.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredients for Ina Garten Chocolate Ganache Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Select unbleached, fresh flour for a tender crumb and smooth texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Choose fine, pure sugar that dissolves easily and creates a delicate sweetness.
• Eggs: Opt for room temperature, fresh eggs that blend smoothly and provide rich structure.
• Butter: Use high-quality, unsalted butter at perfect softness for maximum flavor and creaming potential.

• Chocolate Syrup: Select rich, dark chocolate syrup with deep, complex flavor notes.
• Vanilla Extract: Choose pure, high-grade extract for authentic, robust vanilla essence.

• Heavy Cream: Select full-fat, fresh cream for luxurious, silky ganache texture.
• Chocolate Chips: Use premium dark chocolate with high cocoa percentage for intense flavor.
• Instant Coffee: Select fine, pure instant coffee to deepen chocolate's rich undertones.
• Candied Violets, Edible Gold Leaf, Chocolate Shavings: Choose delicate, fresh garnishes that complement the cake's elegant profile.

Required Tools for Chocolate Ganache Cake

• Stand mixer: Essential for creaming butter and sugar to a fluffy consistency.
• 8-inch round cake pan: Perfect size for creating a delightful chocolate cake.
• Parchment paper: Ensures easy cake removal without sticking.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Critical for accurate ingredient proportions.
• Double boiler: Helps create a smooth, glossy ganache without burning chocolate.
• Wire rack: Allows cake to cool evenly and catch excess ganache.
• Spatula: Great for folding ingredients and spreading ganache.
• Mixing bowls: Necessary for combining various ingredients.

Steps to Make Ina’s Ganache Cake

• Warm Up the Cooking Space

Get your oven cozy at a steady 325°F. Grab an 8-inch round pan and give it a generous butter massage. Tuck a parchment paper blanket at the bottom so your cake can slide out like a dream.

• Whip Up the Cake Base

Grab your mixer and dance butter and sugar together until they transform into a fluffy cloud. Drop in eggs one by one, letting each blend completely before welcoming the next.

• Blend Liquid Magic

Splash in chocolate syrup and vanilla, stirring with love. Gently fold flour into the mix, treating the batter like a delicate dance partner – no aggressive mixing allowed.

• Bake to Perfection

Pour the batter into your prepared pan. Let it bake for 40-45 minutes until the center whispers it’s ready. Let the cake chill completely right where it baked.

• Create Decadent Ganache

Melt chocolate chips, cream, and a hint of instant coffee in a double boiler. Stir until the mixture becomes a glossy, silky waterfall of deliciousness.

• Dress Up Your Masterpiece

Slide the cake onto a wire rack and drench it in warm ganache. For a show-stopping finale, sprinkle with delicate candied violets, shimmer with edible gold, or shower with chocolate curls.

Ways to Adjust Chocolate Intensity

Expert Baking Strategies

Experiment with different chocolate types like dark, milk, or white chocolate to create unique taste variations. Dark chocolate adds intensity, while milk chocolate brings a sweeter touch.

Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth batter integration. Adding a tablespoon of sour cream or Greek yogurt will boost the cake’s moisture and create a more tender crumb.

Transform your ganache by infusing it with unexpected ingredients like orange zest, sea salt, or a splash of bourbon. Crushed nuts or freeze-dried fruit can add delightful texture and visual appeal to the cake’s surface.

This cake freezes beautifully for up to one month. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container. Thaw at room temperature for 2-3 hours before serving to maintain its incredible texture and richness.

Decadent Ina Garten Chocolate Ganache Cake Recipe

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4.9 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s chocolate ganache cake delivers rich, velvety chocolate indulgence that melts on palates with intense flavor. Chocolate lovers will savor each luxurious slice of this elegant dessert crafted with professional precision.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 extra-large eggs (room temperature)
• 1 ⅓ cups (320 ml) Hershey’s chocolate syrup
• 1 cup (200 g) sugar
• 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
• ¼ lb (113 g) unsalted butter (room temperature)
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
• 8 oz (226 g) semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
• 1 tsp instant coffee granules
• Candied violets or edible gold leaf (optional, for decoration)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease an 8-inch round cake pan with butter, dust with flour, and line the bottom with parchment paper.
2. Mixing Base: Cream butter and sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, blending thoroughly after each addition to create a smooth batter.
3. Incorporating Ingredients: Fold in chocolate syrup and vanilla extract. Gently mix in flour until just combined, maintaining a delicate texture without overmixing.
4. Baking Process: Pour batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the center springs back when lightly touched and appears set.
5. Cooling and Ganache Preparation: Allow cake to cool completely in the pan. Meanwhile, create ganache by melting heavy cream, chocolate chips, and instant coffee in a double boiler until smooth and glossy.
6. Finishing Touches: Carefully invert cake onto a wire rack. Generously pour warm ganache over the entire cake, ensuring complete coverage. Optionally embellish with candied violets or edible gold leaf for an elegant presentation.

Notes

• Precision Matters: Accurate oven temperature and pan preparation are crucial for achieving the perfect cake texture and preventing sticking.
• Mixing Mastery: Cream butter and sugar thoroughly, and add eggs one at a time to create a smooth, well-incorporated batter that ensures a light, tender crumb.
• Gentle Folding Technique: Mix flour gently and minimally to maintain the cake’s delicate structure and avoid developing tough gluten bonds.
• Ganache Perfection: Use high-quality chocolate and cream, and stir carefully over a double boiler to create a glossy, smooth chocolate coating that elevates the entire dessert.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 45 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg