Valentine’s Day may be over, but this chocolate ganache cake can help you spread some love to your significant other — or to your friends.
The recipe comes from Chef Jamie McFadden of Cuisiniers Catering & Events. McFadden had this to say about this cake: “When I arrived at culinary college, no more than a week had passed before I was given the opportunity and privilege to taste a piece of chocolate ganache cake for the very first time. It was prepared by our resident Master Pastry Chef Jan Bandula, and was a palate experience and sensation that I still recall to this day. The following is a much simpler version, but is just as delicious.”
Chef Jamie’s Decadent Chocolate Ganache Cake
For the cake:
1/4 pound unsalted butter at room temperature, 72 degrees
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons salt
5 large eggs
1 (16-ounce) jar dark chocolate syrup
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
For the ganache:
1/2 cup heavy cream
8 ounces premium semisweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Butter and flour an 8-inch round cake pan, then line the bottom with parchment paper.
2. Cream the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, followed by the salt. Mix in the chocolate syrup and vanilla. Slowly add the flour and mix until just combined. Do not over mix, or the cake texture will be tough.
3. Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until just set in the middle. Take caution to not over bake. Let cool thoroughly in the pan.
4. For the ganache, on medium-low heat, cook the heavy cream, chocolate chips, and instant coffee in the top of a double boiler over simmering water until smooth and warm, stirring occasionally.
5. Place the cake upside down on a wire rack and pour the glaze evenly over the top, making sure to cover the entire cake and sides. You can tilt the rack to smooth the glaze. Decorate with fresh strawberries or black berries if desired, or gently crumble shaved white chocolate over the cake.
6. Do not refrigerate and serve within 3 hours. If you must make the cake ahead of time, refrigerate overnight up to 3 days, making sure to remove from refrigerator 1 hour before serving.
