Description
Rich chocolate ganache cake showcases Ina Garten’s signature elegance with deep cocoa flavors and silky smooth texture. Chocolate lovers will find pure indulgence in each luxurious slice of this classic dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 225 g (8 oz) good-quality semisweet chocolate chips
- 115 g (4 oz) unsalted butter, softened
- 200 g (7 oz) caster sugar
- 320 ml (10.8 fl oz) Hershey’s chocolate syrup
- 125 g (4.4 oz) plain flour
- 120 ml (4 fl oz) double cream
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp instant coffee granules
- Candied violets or edible gold leaf, for decoration (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Calibrate oven to 160°C (fan) or 180°C (conventional). Meticulously prepare cake tin with butter, flour, and parchment paper, ensuring seamless cake release.
- Batter Creation: Cream butter and sugar in stand mixer until fluffy and pale. Introduce eggs one at a time, integrating thoroughly. Fold in chocolate syrup and vanilla extract, maintaining silky consistency.
- Mixing and Preparation: Gently sift flour into wet ingredients, using delicate folding technique to preserve batter’s airiness. Transfer mixture to prepared tin, smoothing surface with spatula.
- Baking Process: Position cake in preheated oven, baking for 40-45 minutes. Test doneness with skewer—minimal moist crumbs indicate perfect bake. Allow cake to cool completely in tin, then transfer to wire rack.
- Ganache Technique: Create double boiler by positioning heatproof bowl over simmering water. Meld heavy cream, chocolate chips, and instant coffee, stirring until achieving glossy, smooth texture.
- Finishing Touch: Cascade warm ganache over cake, tilting rack to ensure elegant, even coverage. Optional: Adorn with candied violets or delicate gold leaf. Serve at ambient temperature to highlight complex flavor profile.
Notes
- Butter Temperature Matters: Use room temperature butter for smoother, more even cake batter that incorporates ingredients seamlessly and creates a lighter texture.
- Avoid Overmixing: Gently fold dry ingredients to prevent developing tough gluten strands, which can make the cake dense and less tender.
- Double-Check Oven Accuracy: Use an oven thermometer to ensure precise temperature, as slight variations can dramatically affect cake’s rise and texture.
- Ganache Technique Tip: Let ganache cool slightly before pouring to achieve perfect draping consistency without becoming too runny or thick.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 35 g
- Sodium: 150 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: 100 mg