The Best Barefoot Contessa Chocolate Ganache Cake Recipe Ever

Chocolate ganache cake represents the pinnacle of decadent dessert artistry, where smooth chocolate transforms ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences.

Rich layers of intense flavor create a sensational culinary journey for passionate bakers and chocolate enthusiasts.

Professional techniques merge with classic comfort, producing a dessert that feels simultaneously sophisticated and familiar.

Silky ganache transforms simple ingredients into an elegant masterpiece that mesmerizes taste buds.

Luxurious textures and deep chocolate notes promise a memorable culinary adventure that elevates any gathering.

Home bakers can confidently craft this impressive dessert with minimal technical skill and maximum delicious results: prepare to be amazed.

Indulge in Chocolate Ganache Cake

• Create Decadent Chocolate Indulgence: This cake delivers an ultra-rich chocolate experience that melts in your mouth with deep, luxurious flavor that feels like a gourmet dessert straight from a fancy restaurant.
• Master Foolproof Baking Technique: The simple mixing method ensures even home bakers can achieve a perfectly moist cake with minimal technical skills, making it an approachable yet impressive dessert for any skill level.
• Elevate with Elegant Finishing Touches: The glossy ganache glaze and optional decorative elements like candied violets or gold leaf transform an ordinary chocolate cake into a stunning centerpiece that looks professionally crafted and Instagram-worthy.
• Enjoy Versatile Serving Potential: Whether you're hosting a dinner party, celebrating a special occasion, or craving a weekend treat, this cake works beautifully as a dessert that impresses guests while satisfying serious chocolate lovers with its intense, smooth texture and rich flavor profile.

Essential Ingredients for Chocolate Ganache Cake

• Butter: Soft, high-quality butter for rich and tender cake texture.
• Sugar: Granulated white sugar for sweetness and cake structure.
• Eggs: Room temperature eggs for smooth batter incorporation.
• Chocolate Syrup: Deep chocolate flavor and added moisture.
• Vanilla: Pure extract for enhancing chocolate flavor profile.
• Flour: All-purpose flour for cake's foundation and structure.

• Double Cream: Rich, full-fat cream for smooth and glossy chocolate coating.
• Chocolate Chips: High-quality dark or semi-sweet chocolate for intense flavor.
• Instant Coffee: Enhances chocolate depth without strong coffee taste.

• Candied Violets, Gold Leaf: Optional elegant finishing touches for visual appeal and gourmet presentation.

Easy Steps for Chocolate Ganache Cake

Step 1: Prepare Baking Setup

Grab an 8-inch round cake pan. Generously coat with butter and dust with flour. Line bottom with parchment paper. Set oven to 350°F or 180°C.

Step 2: Create Cake Batter

• Softened butter
• Granulated sugar

• Chocolate syrup
• Vanilla extract

Gently fold in flour until just combined. Do not overmix.

Step 3: Bake Chocolate Delight

Transfer batter into prepared pan. Smooth surface with spatula. Slide into preheated oven. Bake for 40-45 minutes. Check doneness by inserting toothpick—it should come out with minimal crumbs. Allow cake to cool completely inside pan.

Step 4: Craft Silky Ganache

• Heavy cream
• Chocolate chips
• Instant coffee granules

Stir occasionally until mixture becomes glossy and smooth. Remove from heat.

Step 5: Glaze With Elegance

Invert cake onto wire rack. Slowly pour ganache over cake, allowing it to cascade down sides. Gently tilt rack to distribute glaze evenly.

Step 6: Final Flourish

Optional decoration: Sprinkle candied violets or delicate gold leaf. Serve at room temperature for ultimate indulgence.

Pro Hints for Chocolate Ganache Cake

• Bring Ingredients to Life: Warm butter and eggs to room temperature beforehand, allowing them to blend seamlessly and create a luxuriously smooth cake batter.
• Gentle Mixing Magic: Fold flour with a light hand, stopping just when ingredients are combined to guarantee a tender, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate cake texture.
• Baking Precision Matters: Keep a watchful eye on your cake while baking, testing for doneness a few minutes early to prevent dryness and maintain perfect moisture.
• Ganache Mastery Technique: Melt chocolate and cream over low heat, stirring gently to create a silky, glossy finish that transforms your cake into a professional-level dessert.
• Personalize Your Masterpiece: Elevate the cake's presentation with creative toppings like cocoa powder dusting, chocolate shavings, or fresh berries for a stunning final touch.

Keep Chocolate Ganache Cake Fresh

Vacuum Seal: Lock in the cake’s rich, velvety texture by using a vacuum sealer. Pull out all air to prevent moisture loss and freezer burn, keeping your chocolate ganache cake tasting freshly baked for up to 3 months. This method works wonders for maintaining its decadent flavor and soft crumb.

Individual Slice Preservation: Slice the cake before storing to create grab-and-go portions. Wrap each slice separately in parchment paper, then place in a freezer-safe container. This technique prevents freezer crystals and allows you to thaw only what you need, maintaining the cake’s original deliciousness.

Cool Completely Method: Always let the cake cool to room temperature before storing. Warm cake trapped in a container creates condensation, making the ganache soggy and potentially breeding bacteria.

Creative Twists on Chocolate Ganache Cake

• Coffee Cocoa Kick: Replace vanilla with strong espresso and add a tablespoon of cocoa powder to intensify the chocolate flavor, creating a rich mocha-inspired cake perfect for coffee lovers.
• Hazelnut Chocolate Dream: Mix chopped toasted hazelnuts into the batter and replace some chocolate chips with hazelnut pieces in the ganache for a nutty, decadent variation that adds crunch and depth.
• Orange Chocolate Sensation: Incorporate orange zest into the cake batter and add a splash of Grand Marnier to the ganache, bringing a bright citrus note that complements the deep chocolate flavor beautifully.
• Salted Caramel Fusion: Drizzle homemade salted caramel sauce over the ganache and sprinkle flaky sea salt on top, creating a sophisticated sweet-salty contrast that elevates the classic chocolate cake.

Closing Reflections on Chocolate Ganache Cake

Chocolate ganache cake emerges as pure indulgence personified, whisking chocolate lovers into a realm of unparalleled richness.

Ina Garten’s signature recipe transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary dessert experience.

Smooth ganache cascades across tender chocolate layers, creating mesmerizing visual poetry.

Chocolate enthusiasts will discover profound satisfaction in each carefully crafted slice.

Classic techniques merge with elegant presentation, promising memorable moments around delectable confectionery.

Bold flavors and luxurious textures invite passionate bakers and sweet seekers to explore, savor, share this remarkable culinary dish – click that like button, spread deliciousness through comments, and celebrate chocolate’s magnificent allure.

Barefoot Contessa Chocolate Ganache Cake Recipe

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4.7 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Barefoot Contessa’s Chocolate Ganache Cake delivers rich, silky chocolate indulgence straight from her Hamptons kitchen. Layers of moist chocolate cake enrobed in smooth ganache create an irresistible dessert you’ll want to savor slowly with friends.

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Ingredients

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Chocolate Base Ingredients:

• 320 milliliters (10.8 fluid ounces) Hershey’s chocolate syrup
• 225 grams (8 ounces) good-quality semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules

Baking Dry Ingredients:

• 125 grams (4.4 ounces) plain flour
• 200 grams (7 ounces) caster sugar

Wet and Supporting Ingredients:

• 115 grams (4 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 120 milliliters (4 fluid ounces) double cream
• Candied violets or edible gold leaf, for decoration (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by preheating the oven to 160°C (320°F) for fan-assisted ovens or 180°C (350°F) for conventional ovens. Thoroughly grease an 8-inch (20 centimeter) round cake tin, dust with flour, and line the base with parchment paper to ensure easy removal.
2. Create the cake batter by combining softened butter and sugar in a stand mixer, beating until the mixture becomes light, airy, and pale. Incorporate eggs individually, ensuring each is fully integrated before adding the next. Gently fold in chocolate syrup and vanilla extract, maintaining a smooth consistency.
3. Carefully sift flour into the wet ingredients, using a delicate folding technique to prevent overmixing. The goal is a uniform batter that maintains its airiness and will result in a tender cake texture.
4. Transfer the batter into the prepared cake tin, spreading evenly with a spatula. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a thin skewer into the center; it should emerge with minimal, moist crumbs.
5. Allow the cake to cool completely within the tin, which helps maintain its structural integrity. Once cooled, gently turn out onto a wire cooling rack.
6. Prepare the ganache by creating a double boiler: place a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water. Combine heavy cream, chocolate chips, and instant coffee, stirring periodically until the mixture becomes smooth and glossy.
7. Pour the warm ganache over the cake, allowing it to cascade naturally down the sides. Gently tilt the wire rack to encourage even coverage and a professional-looking finish.
8. For an elegant presentation, delicately garnish with candied violets or apply a whisper-thin layer of edible gold leaf. Serve at room temperature to maximize flavor and texture, avoiding refrigeration which can compromise the cake’s delicate structure.

Notes

• Craft a silky smooth ganache by gently heating chocolate chips with cream and a hint of coffee, stirring carefully to prevent scorching.
• Prevent tough cake texture by mixing flour just until incorporated, stopping as soon as ingredients are combined to maintain a delicate crumb.
• Allow butter and eggs to reach room temperature before mixing, which helps create a more uniform and velvety cake batter.
• Check cake doneness early, removing from the oven when the center is barely set to avoid dry, overcooked results.
• Personalize your dessert with creative toppings like delicate candied violets, sparkly gold leaf, rustic chocolate shavings, or vibrant fresh berries.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 30g
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 5g
• Cholesterol: 80mg