Easy Ina Garten Chocolate Ganache Cake Recipe / Rich & Divine

Chocolate ganache cake represents the pinnacle of decadent dessert indulgence, where rich, silky layers promise an unforgettable sensory experience.

Sweet chocolate notes dance through every crumb, creating a luxurious texture that melts seamlessly on your palate.

Dark, intense flavors blend with velvety cream, transforming simple ingredients into an extraordinary culinary masterpiece.

Soft, tender cake layers provide a delicate foundation for the glossy, smooth ganache coating.

Professional bakers and home cooks adore this classic dessert for its elegant simplicity and remarkable depth of flavor.

Each slice tells a story of culinary craftsmanship, inviting passionate food lovers to savor its remarkable complexity.

Prepare to be transported by this sublime chocolate creation:

Why Ina Garten’s Chocolate Ganache Cake Is So Rich

• Decadent Chocolate Delight: This cake delivers an intense, rich chocolate experience that melts in your mouth, offering pure indulgence with every single bite.
• Effortless Elegance: Ina Garten's recipe transforms complex baking into a simple process, making gourmet dessert creation accessible for home bakers of all skill levels.
• Luxurious Texture Symphony: The combination of tender cake and silky smooth ganache creates a perfect contrast between soft, moist cake and glossy, rich chocolate coating that feels incredibly sophisticated and delightful.
• Quick Celebration Centerpiece: Ready in just about an hour, this cake becomes an impressive dessert for spontaneous gatherings, dinner parties, or special moments that demand something extraordinary without requiring hours of preparation.

Must-Have Ingredients for a Ganache Cake

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy texture and helps create a tender cake.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a light, fluffy cake structure.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and provide structure to the cake.
• Chocolate Syrup: Enhances chocolate flavor and adds moisture to the cake.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and warmth to the chocolate flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a smooth, silky ganache with luxurious mouthfeel.

• Flour: Provides structure and framework for the cake.
• Instant Coffee: Intensifies and deepens the chocolate flavor profile.

• Chocolate Chips: Melts into a glossy, rich ganache coating.
• Candied Violets: Optional elegant decoration with delicate floral touch.
• Edible Gold Leaf: Optional luxurious and glamorous cake topping.

Quick Guide to Ina Garten Chocolate Ganache Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Pan

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Grease an 8-inch round cake pan thoroughly. Line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2: Create the Cake Batter

• Softened butter
• Sugar

Beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing completely after each addition.

Step 3: Blend Liquid Ingredients

• Chocolate syrup
• Vanilla extract

Gently fold in flour, being careful not to overmix to maintain the cake’s delicate texture.

Step 4: Bake the Cake

Transfer batter to the prepared pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the center is just set. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan.

Step 5: Craft the Luxurious Ganache

• Heavy cream
• Chocolate chips
• Instant coffee

Stir until the mixture becomes smooth and glossy.

Step 6: Finish and Decorate

• Candied violets
• Edible gold leaf
• Chocolate shavings

Chef’s Tips for a Velvety Ganache

• Whip Butter Perfectly: Cream butter and sugar until the mixture turns pale and cloud-like, creating maximum volume and ensuring a tender cake texture. Air incorporation is your secret weapon for supreme softness.
• Gentle Egg Integration: Introduce eggs individually, mixing thoroughly after each addition to prevent batter separation. Smooth blending guarantees a consistent, luxurious cake base.
• Chocolate Quality Matters: Select premium chocolate syrup for an intense, deep flavor profile. Rich ingredients elevate the entire dessert experience.
• Fold Flour Carefully: Incorporate flour delicately to avoid developing tough gluten strands. Stop mixing the moment flour disappears, preserving the cake's delicate crumb.
• Glaze with Grace: Allow ganache to cool slightly before pouring, creating elegant drips that cascade beautifully down the cake sides. Temperature control ensures perfect chocolate coverage.

Preserving Ganache Cake

• Refrigerator Storage: Seal the cake in an airtight glass container with a tight-fitting lid to preserve its luxurious moisture and prevent absorption of other food odors. Ganache-coated cakes maintain peak quality for 3-4 days when kept at a consistent 40°F temperature.
• Freezer Preservation: Slice the cake into individual portions before freezing to create convenient grab-and-go servings. Wrap each slice separately in wax paper, then place inside a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Frozen cake sections stay deliciously fresh for up to 2 months.
• Room Temperature Strategy: Allow ganache cake to rest at cool room temperature for no more than 2 hours before returning to refrigeration.

Fun Variations on Ina Garten Ganache Cake

• Mocha Madness: Replace the vanilla extract with strong espresso and add a tablespoon of coffee liqueur to intensify the chocolate-coffee flavor profile.
• Nutty Chocolate Haven: Fold in chopped toasted almonds or hazelnuts into the batter for added crunch and depth of flavor.
• Salted Caramel Decadence: Drizzle homemade salted caramel sauce over the ganache and sprinkle flaky sea salt on top to create a sophisticated sweet-salty contrast.
• Berry Chocolate Dream: Swirl raspberry preserves into the cake batter before baking and garnish with fresh raspberries for a fruity chocolate combination.

Final Word on Ina Garten Chocolate Ganache Cake

Chocolate ganache cake emerges as pure culinary poetry, bridging simplicity and sophistication with Ina Garten’s masterful recipe.

Her signature approach transforms humble ingredients into an elegant dessert that whispers luxury.

Rich chocolate notes dance across palate memories, creating sensory experiences beyond mere sweetness.

Mediterranean-inspired techniques elevate this cake from ordinary to extraordinary, revealing complexity in each luscious slice.

Kitchen artistry shines through balanced ingredients and precise techniques that celebrate chocolate’s profound depth.

When passionate bakers embrace such carefully crafted recipes, magical moments happen – share this delectable journey, spread chocolate joy, spark conversations, and inspire fellow chocolate enthusiasts to explore Garten’s delightful creation.

Ina Garten Chocolate Ganache Cake Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s chocolate ganache cake delivers rich, velvety indulgence straight from her Barefoot Contessa kitchen. Luxurious chocolate layers nestled between silky ganache promise a sophisticated dessert experience you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

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Primary Ingredients:

• 4 extra-large eggs, room temperature
• 1 ⅓ cups Hershey’s chocolate syrup
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour

Dairy and Chocolate Ingredients:

• ¼ pound (113 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
• 8 ounces (226 grams) semisweet chocolate chips

Flavor and Garnish Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
• Optional: Candied violets or edible gold leaf for decoration

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Instructions

1. Meticulously prepare the oven by heating it to 325°F (163°C), ensuring an even temperature distribution. Thoroughly coat an 8-inch round cake pan with butter and a light dusting of flour, then line the bottom with precision-cut parchment paper for effortless cake removal.
2. Utilize an electric mixer to cream unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture transforms into a pale, airy, and voluminous texture. Incorporate eggs individually, thoroughly blending after each addition to create a homogeneous, silky batter.
3. Introduce rich chocolate syrup and pure vanilla extract into the creamed mixture, gently folding in all-purpose flour with a delicate touch. Mix just until ingredients are combined, avoiding overmixing to preserve the cake’s tender crumb.
4. Transfer the velvety batter into the prepared cake pan, spreading it evenly. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. Verify doneness by gently touching the center – it should spring back and appear just set.
5. Allow the cake to cool completely within the pan, which helps maintain its structural integrity and prevents potential cracking.
6. Create a luxurious ganache by melting heavy cream, premium chocolate chips, and a hint of instant coffee in a double boiler. Stir until the mixture achieves a glossy, smooth consistency.
7. Carefully invert the cooled cake onto a wire rack. Pour the warm ganache over the cake, ensuring complete and elegant coverage. For an optional sophisticated touch, garnish with delicate candied violets or shimmering edible gold leaf.

Notes

• Keep leftover slices fresh by storing in an airtight container at room temperature, maintaining delectable moisture for three days.
• Sprinkle candied violets or delicate edible gold leaf to transform your cake into a stunning, professional-looking dessert that wows guests.
• Cool cake completely before adding ganache to prevent melting and ensure a flawless, glossy chocolate coating.
• Parchment paper provides a foolproof method for effortless cake removal and prevents frustrating sticking during baking.
• Select premium chocolate chips to create a luxurious, shiny ganache that elevates the entire dessert experience.
• Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly, guaranteeing a consistently tender and uniform cake texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 494 kcal
• Sugar: 55 g
• Sodium: 120 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 58 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 112 mg