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Decadent Chocolate Cake with Bourbon Ganache

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A rich, moist chocolate cake topped with a silky bourbon-infused ganache, perfect for special occasions or cozy nights in. This easy recipe combines simple pantry ingredients with a sophisticated twist.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
  • ¾ cup (75g) unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-processed recommended)
  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder
  • 1 ½ tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, room temperature (dairy-free milk optional)
  • ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240ml) boiling water
  • 12 oz (340g) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
  • 2 tbsp (28g) unsalted butter
  • 3 tbsp bourbon (adjust to taste)
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch cake pans with butter and dust with cocoa powder or line with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  4. Gradually add wet ingredients to dry ingredients, mixing on medium speed until combined. Avoid overmixing.
  5. Slowly pour boiling water into the batter, mixing on low speed until batter is smooth and thin.
  6. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  7. Cool cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
  8. To make ganache, heat heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat until just simmering. Pour over chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl and let sit for 2 minutes.
  9. Stir ganache gently until smooth. Add butter, bourbon, vanilla extract, and salt; stir until glossy and combined. Let cool slightly.
  10. Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread bourbon ganache over the top. Add second layer and cover entire cake with remaining ganache. Smooth or create decorative swirls. Chill briefly if ganache is too soft.

Notes

Use room temperature eggs and milk for better texture and rise. Sift dry ingredients to avoid lumps. Do not overmix batter. Adding boiling water thins batter and intensifies cocoa flavor. For ganache, avoid overheating chocolate; stir gently. Adjust ganache thickness by chilling or warming. Bake and cool layers completely before frosting to prevent ganache meltdown. Can substitute gluten-free flour and dairy-free cream for dietary needs.

Nutrition

Keywords: chocolate cake, bourbon ganache, easy dessert, moist chocolate cake, party dessert, rich chocolate cake, bourbon dessert

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/decadent-chocolate-cake-with-bourbon-ganache-easy-recipe-for-perfect-dessert/