Dark As My Soul Chocolate Ganache Cake

This dark, moist, three-layer chocolate cake covered in a silky smooth buttercream and ganache glaze will knock your guests' socks off.

• Preparation Time: 45 mins
• Cooking Time: 30 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins
• Calories: 720 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4 eggs
• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• ¾ cup vegetable oil
• 3 cups white sugar
• ¾ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• ½ cup cocoa powder
• 3 ½ cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 ½ cups buttermilk
• 1 ¼ teaspoons salt
• 2 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup cocoa powder
• 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• cooking spray
• 1 cup chopped bittersweet chocolate
• 1 ½ cups hot brewed coffee
• 20 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease three 9-inch baking pans with cooking spray. Line bottoms with parchment paper; grease paper.

Step 2

Place 6 ounces chocolate in a small bowl. Pour coffee over the chocolate and whisk until smooth. Let stand until slightly cooled, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Whisk flour, 1 cup cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and baking powder together in a bowl.

Step 4

Beat eggs in a stand mixer on high speed until lemon-colored. Beat in white sugar, coffee mixture, oil, and vanilla extract gradually until batter is well blended. Add flour mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition.

Step 5

Divide batter evenly among the prepared baking pans.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Invert onto cooling racks and let cool completely, about 30 minutes.

Step 7

Pour 2 1/2 cups heavy cream into a small saucepan; heat until it just boils.

Step 8

Place 20 ounces chocolate in a large bowl; pour hot cream on top and whisk until smooth. Let stand at room temperature, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 45 minutes. Refrigerate until ganache is set and spreadable, 4 to 5 hours.

Step 9

Combine 1/4 cup ganache, confectioners' sugar, butter, and 1/2 cup cocoa powder in a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment; beat on low speed until smooth. Increase speed to high and beat until buttercream is smooth and silky.

Step 10

Place one cake layer on a serving plate; spread 1/3 cup ganache on top. Repeat twice more. Spread remaining ganache around the sides of the cake. Refrigerate until set, about 30 minutes.

Step 11

Spread buttercream over the top and sides of the cake. Refrigerate until set, about 10 minutes.

Step 12

Pour 1 cup heavy cream into a small saucepan; heat until it just boils.

Step 13

Place 1 cup chocolate chocolate in a small bowl; pour hot cream on top and whisk until smooth. Drizzle glaze over cake. Refrigerate until glaze firms up, at least 30 minutes.