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Just a cake

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A cake with a little ganache.

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Or maybe a little too much.

Nope. Not possible. Not sure there’s such a thing as too much ganache.

I like to eat it by the spoonful, but by the cakefull is even better.

The cake inside is chocolate. And actually the recipe for the chocolate cake in this post is not the actual cake in these pictures.

Why? Well, while it looks nice enough, it just wasn’t satisfied. So I made a few changes and made a better version the same day that I didn’t have time to decorate.

Instead, I’ve just been eating it straight up.

I like the simple look of the decorated one though.

High contrast.

The cake is frosted in buttercream first.

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But for the middle layer of frosting, I tucked away a few of these inside.

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Buttercream, speckled with miniature chocolate chips for kicks.

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Perty!

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Then the rest of the cake gets covered in plain white buttercream.

Easy enough.

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Then comes the best part.

A reason to lick my spoon.

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You’ll want the ganache to set up and thicken before you pour any on the cake.

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Thicker, like this.

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Oh my! Start pouring in the center, but be careful not to go too fast.

Ideally, you wouldn’t want too much to go over the sides and puddle around the cake.

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Yeah, like this.

Okay, I got a little excited.

Ganache does that to me.

Now for the recipe of the second chocolate cake I made. The better one.

That said, I welcome any of your chocolate cake suggestions. I’m looking for the best homemade chocolate cake ever. Got one? Know of one? Care to share? This one’s good! But I’m not done searching.

What fun would that be anyway.

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Buttercream and Chocolate Ganache
Yield: 9-inch layer cake

Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Buttercream and Chocolate Ganache

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Additional Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients

Chocolate Cake

  • 1-1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 2/3 cup natural unsweetened cocoa
  • 1-1/2 cups sugar
  • 1-1/4 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 2/3 cup hot water

Buttercream Frosting

  • 1-1/2 cups butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 6 cups powdered sugar
  • 4-8 Tablespoons milk
  • 2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels, if desired

Chocolate Ganache:

  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels

Instructions

  1. For the cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease the bottom of two 9-inch cake pans. Then place parchment paper cut to size on the bottom of each pan and grease paper. Dust pans with cocoa.
  2. Sift dry ingredients together and place in a large mixing bowl. Add eggs, oil, milk and vanilla and beat for a couple of minutes until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add hot water and mix together.
  3. Pour into prepared pans and bake for about 28-30 minutes. Batter will be very liquid. Cool for about 5 minutes in the pan. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
  4. For the frosting: Beat the butter in a mixer until smooth. Add vanilla and mix until combined. Add the powdered sugar in several additions, scraping down the sides after each addition. Add milk a tablespoon at a time and mix together until you achieve a smooth consistency.
  5. For the ganache: Heat cream and butter in a saucepan until melted and remove before it starts to boil. Place chocolate morsels in a small bowl and pour cream on top. Let sit for a few seconds and whisk by hand until completely incorporated and smooth. Let cool until thick and pourable.
    The ganache can take a bit to thicken. You can make it before the buttercream, to save time. Just use a wire whisk to stir it every few minutes and keep it smooth
  6. To assemble: Trim tops off of cake layers with a long serrated knife so they have a nice, flat top. Place one layer bottom side up on cake stand. Mix about 2/3 cup morsels with about 1 cup of the frosting. Spread frosting on top of bottom layer. Place second layer on top. It helps to have a crumb coat on the outside of your cake first. Simply apply a thin coat of frosting to the entire cake to catch any excess crumbs. Then place cake in freezer for a few minutes to firm up frosting and cover the entire cake again with a thick layer of buttercream. This will help you keep all those crumbs from getting caught in your pretty work. Slowly, pour ganache over center of cake. Pour just enough to start dripping down the sides.
Enjoy!

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303 comments on “Just a cake”

  1. PLEASE ANSWER :)

    HOW IN THE WORLD DO YOU GET YOUR CAKES SO EVEN AND SMOOTH? NO MATTER HOW MUCH I CUT EVENLY AFTER I FROST MY CAKE IT ALWAYS LOOKS LIKE ONE SIDE IS HIGHER THAN THE OTHER. PLEASE DO A POST PRETTY PLEASE WITH SPRINKLES ON TOP

    Sincerely Steph.

    hey i had to get your attention some how ;)
    at least i hope i do

  2. This post came up in my recommended reader feed and stopped me in my tracks instantly. Your photos are amazing and after familiarising myself as much as I can without it taking months, I am loving your blog. What an inspiration. Thank you!

  3. I love love LOVE your website! It is so amazing!

    I just got your cake pop book and I love it! I know I’m going on and on but what you are doing has changed my life.

  4. Just the most amazing looking cake ever. I could see myself eating the filling by the spoonful. Yum.

  5. Is that cake stand the Jeanette Glass harp pattern in shell pink, manufactured between 1957 and 1959?

    In your first picture, I recognized the shape. I just bought that stand a few weeks ago when I was antiquing with my mother.

    FYI, cream colored cake pops look really elegant on that stand with the stick part pointing up.

  6. I made this today! wheeeee!

  7. I’m going to try this one. Looks great.

  8. hello! I have the perfect recipe for a chocolate cake.
    is a moist cake that can be eaten alone or with frosting.
    Sift 3 cups flour 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 cup cocoa and 1 teaspoon of salt. separate mix 1 ½ cups milk with 2 tablespoons of vinegar. 5 minutes after mix 3 eggs 1 ½ cups oil, milk, vinegar and a teaspoon of vanilla. whisk well and mix with dry ingredients. when you have fought well, add all at once 2 cups of sugar and mix. have to go through to the letter. sorry about the grammar im peruvian.

  9. I just made this, I was inspired!! I have never made a cake from scratch before, but I will be now. This is soooooo GOOD!!!! Thanks for sharing!

  10. So pretty. I heard that ganache means idiot in French, maybe because you’d have to be an idiot not to like all the chocolate!! :) Regardless of what the word means, your cake looks nummy!

  11. Mom’s Chocolate Cake from Food and Wine Magazine is my go-to! It always turns out perfect and is wonderfully moist and delicious. And it’s fairly easy to make!

  12. Mmmm.. I could seriously drown in that chocolaty goodness :D

    Happy 2012, Angie :)

  13. Hi Bakerella!

    Hope you can try my mom’s chocolate cake recipe. I love that it’s moist, crumbly and oh so chocolatey! It’s so easy to prepare, only has 8 ingredients and guess what, it has mayonnaise in it! One friend even likened it to Chicago’s infamous “portillos chocolate cake” http://bakehappy.blogspot.com/2011/05/how-to-bake-perfectly-moist-chocolate.html

    Cheers,
    Aikko
    from the sunny Philippines :)

  14. http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/08/chocolate-peanut-butter-cake/

    This is my absolute favorite chocolate cake recipe! And I couldn’t even try to count how many others I’ve tested. It is moist with a richness and slight sharpness that everyone can detect a hint of, but no one can pinpoint. You MUST try it!

    Love your photos! Such a simple, clean approach to decoration.

  15. Oh dear, why did I come a visit bakerella when I’m on a diet?Maybe after the diet I’ll have to try this cake out – that is if I don’t give in and try it out sooner.

  16. I LOVE IT! bakerella, the cake and the ganache, wwwwheew! thank you for the recipe, I’m planning to make this on Valentines day. :) ???

  17. that’s just absolutely stunning! it looks so perfect!

  18. that looks like a slice of amazing!! looks like an end of winter cake

  19. Sorry if there are any mistakes, because I wrote with the help of a translator. I am Brazilian and I love your blog, and I would say that your photos are misused to promote some sellers on eBay.
    I would say that you are a warrior people and winning, we Brazilians have a motto, we are persistent and get everything we want, and you are well.
    Know that I am praying for you here so that you recover soon and can live well and happy.
    I hope your books are translated in Portuguese as soon so I can enjoy them. haha
    Stay with God and improvements.
    Regards,

    Ana Maria
    Sao Paulo, Brazil.

  20. I’m craving chocolate now!!

  21. The chocolate cake recipe on the back of the Swan’s Down Cake Flour box is pretty good. Very moist as the recipe calls for sour cream and you are using cake flour which is lighter in texture than AP Flour.

  22. http://www.foodess.com/2011/03/moist-chocolate-cake/

    That is by far the best chocolate cake I’ve ever made. It comes out moist and perfect every time!

  23. From my mother-in-law, big fav where she lives.

    Use a sheet cake pan (11×17).

    CHOCOLATE SHEET CAKE

    4 Tablesp Cocoa
    1 C Water
    1 stick margarine (or butter) (Don’t know if it matters but I use
    margarine for all my baking)
    1/2 C Shortening
    2 C Flour
    2 C Sugar
    1 Teas Baking Soda
    1/2 C. Buttermilk (can use milk and 1 teas vinegar)
    2 Beaten eggs
    1 Tsp Vanilla

    Combine cocoa, water, margarine and shortening. Bring to a boil and
    add to flour and sugar mixture. Dissolve baking soda in the milk.
    Add eggs and vanilla to mixture and stir well. Pour batter into a
    greased/floured sheet cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

    FROSTING:
    4 Tablesp Cocoa
    6 Tablesp Milk
    1 Stick Margarine (or butter)
    1 Box Powdered Sugar (I would have to look up how many cups that is:)
    1 Tablesp Vanilla

    Bring cocoa, milk and margarine to a boil. Add to mixer with powdered
    sugar and vanilla. Beat until creamy. Pour directly on HOT finished
    cake. Let cool before cutting.

  24. I think I love you.

    And that cake.

    That is all. :-)

  25. If you have never tried Hershey’s Perfectly Chocolate Chocolate Cake, you must! When I have company, I will often serve that and a caramel macchiato cheesecake and the cake always wins out, which always surprises me!

  26. Your cake looks great and I expect it to taste as well as it looks. I will try it soon.

    So far my favourite chocolate cake is “Auntie’s Chocolate Torte” from the blog “Zabrovaljene poslastice”. You should try it:

    http://tortatorta.blogspot.com/2011/02/ujnina-cokoladna-torta-aunties.html

  27. Omg, i can totally lick it off my screen now! Want to attempt it for my cousin’s bday, can i half the entire receipe and put it in a 5″ tin insteaD?

  28. Bakerella, you’ve outdone yourself yet again! It’s my husband’s birthday tomorrow, and he’s a chocoholic…guess what cake I’m making for him? Yup Just a Cake. So far the cake has turned out beautifully! I”m off to do the ganache…wish me luck! God Bless!

  29. I saw this the day you posted and bought the ingredients immediately. Just made it, and WOW! Delicious and generally very easy to make!
    Thank you for all your amazing recipes and inspirations!

  30. Gosh that looks good… everything you post looks so delicious. Thank you for such a beautiful blog full of such tasty treats!!

  31. Ya gotta try P-Dub’s chocolate cake! :)

  32. Bakerella! This cake is gorgeous! I love the ganache on white buttercream look! So classy!

  33. Have to pipe up as another in support of Hershey’s. I’ve been making the cake off the back of that can of cocoa since I was about 14, and it has never failed me. So delicious.

  34. My rule of thumb is, almost anything with chocolate benefits from a bit of coffee (usually powdered) added in. This looks fabulous. Now to find enough people to help eat it so I don’t OD by myself.

  35. When I saw this Tuesday (at work!) I knew I had to make it that night! I ran home and started in on it. I told my daughter I was making her an early birthday cake (her birthday is Friday), that we could enjoy all week long. And enjoy it we have been!!! This is the best cake we have ever had! Thank you so much for the recipes for chocolate cake, buttercream frosting and (the best part!) ganache! SOOOO good!

  36. Even if you don’t like malted milk (which is only in the frosting) this is by far the best chocolate cake ever!

    Chocolate Malted Cake (from The Sweet Melissa Baking Book)

    FOR THE CAKE:
    6 ounces best-quality unsweetened chocolate
    2/3 cup canola oil
    2 & 2/3 cups sugar
    1 & 2/3 cups AP flour
    1/3 cup of unsweetened dutch cocoa
    1 teaspoon baking soda
    ¾ teaspoon of kosher salt
    2/3 cup of sour cream
    3 large eggs
    1 & 1/3 cups of hot fresh brewed coffee

    FOR THE CHOCOLATE MALTED FROSTING:
    1 pound best quality milk chocolate
    1 cup heavy cream
    1 cup malted milk powder
    ¼ cup light corn syrup
    8 tablespoons of butter, at room temp.
    8 ounces of malted milk balls

  37. My favorite chocolate cake, the BEST I have ever made is Hershey’s Best Chocolate Cake! The recipe is right on the side of the cocoa can! Very moist and yummy.
    BTW- I have to tell you, I have become a cake poppin’ fool, love them, love you, I sound like a freak but I just had to tell you and say, THANKS, your’e the BEST!

  38. 350°Celsius ?? so much ?

  39. Awesome variation on a BOX cake……..yes box cake.

    8oz. semi sweet chocolate chips
    1 Chocolate box cake mix
    1 4 serving size chocolate flavored instant pudding
    4 eggs
    1c. sour cream
    1/2c. oil
    1/2c. water with 1tsp. instant coffee

    Preheat oven 350. Grease 2 9″ pans.
    Beat all ingredients except chocolate chips for 2 min. Stir in chocolate chips. Divide batter in pans. Bake for 30 to 35 min.

    I like to use a simple chocolate sour cream frosting.
    12 oz semi sweet chocolate
    1/2c. butter
    8 oz sour cream
    1 lb. powder sugar

    Over low heat melt chocolate and butter. Cool 10 min. Stir in sour cream and sugar until smooth.

  40. This is such a beautiful cake! I love the chocolate, white, chocolate look :)

  41. Agreeed- Ina’s (or actually Beatty’s) Chocolate Cake is the best! The coffee is what makes it. I’ve used it for cupcakes and they have been great also. Martha Stewart’s One Bowl Chocolate Cake recipe when I’ve not had coffee on hand. It is pretty similar to the one you used I believe.

  42. My favorite choc cake is very similar with the exception of a tsp of Organic Cinnamon and 1 cup hot coffee in place of the water. I cannot wait to try this recipe! I LOVE the looks of this.

  43. Angie,
    Here is a recipe for Screwball Cake that my Grandma passed on to my Mom, and that she has passed it on to me and my sister!

    Screwball Cake
    3 cups flour
    2 cups sugar
    2/3 cup cocoa powder (scant) (or full 2/3 for more chocolate!)
    2 teaspoons salt
    2 teaspoons baking soda

    2 teaspoons vanilla
    2 teaspoons vinegar
    3/4 cup oil
    1 egg
    2 cups cold water

    Mix dry ingredients well with a spoon.
    Dig a deep hole.
    Add wet ingredients and mix by hand. A few small lumps is just fine.
    Bake at 350.
    Makes a 9″ x 13″ pan, or two layers.

    This cake batter does not like sitting after it is mixed. So make sure to have your pans ready, and the oven preheated. :)
    This cake is easy, chocolaty, and moist! What is more to love about a cake? Enjoy!!

  44. Just a cake my #$$%! And I agree there is no such thing as too much ganache. Go big or go home! Thanks for giving me inspiration to diet: I’m going to reward myself once I get this holiday weight off by making this cake.

  45. Hey girl!!

    I JUST posted the best chocolate cake recipe I’ve ever come across on my blog a few minutes ago…and then I stumble across this! Great minds think alike. My recipe is for cupcakes…I actually prefer cupcakes, but I’m sure it’ll work just fine for cakes. It’s a ‘mocha’ cake, but you can’t really taste the coffee IN the cake…I think it just adds a little sumpin sumpin…ya know!?

    http://www.thejacquelineofalltrades.com/2012/01/treat-tuesday-mocha-cupcakes.html

  46. Here is a sour cream devils food cake recipe for you. I think it is a winner. Try making it into three layers and filling the layers with chocolate pudding and ice the outside with whip cream. Yummy!
    1/2 cup cocoa. Put in a 1 cup measuring cup and keep filling with boiling water and stir to a smooth paste to make 1 cup. Let cool. Add 1 1/4 cups sugar, 1 cup sour cream, 2 eggs, 1 tsp. vanilla, 1 3/4 cup flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt.
    Mix all together in a bowl
    Bake at 350 for about 25 – 30 min. Enjoy!

  47. Wow, I love the high contrast look and I just drooled, a. lot! Now I want to go make this but I need more ingredients first. Is it too late to nip out to the supermarket at almost 10pm? lol.

    Yumorrific!

  48. This looks delicious! This is my favorite homemade chocolate cake EVER: http://sweetapolita.com/2011/05/campfire-delight-cupcakes/

  49. I really do love the simple decoration of this cake. Yummy

  50. I was just wondering what cake to make for my grandfathers 80th birthday and this looks like the perfect one!
    thank you angie once again!

  51. Such a lovely cake. I’m going to try this recipe just as soon as I can.

    I love chocolate.

  52. Holy cow, yum!

    I had no idea that you’re supposed to let your ganache thicken before pouring it over cake. It’s all coming clear to me now. Thank you.

    I’ve tried zillions of chocolate cake recipes and my very favorite is chocolate beet cake (sounds gross, tastes great):http://madebynicole.blogspot.com/2010/09/rich-chocolate-beet-cake-with-coconut.html

    My second favorite, a very, very close second but since I eat it unfrosted it’s not quite first is mocha snack cake. It’s a very rich chocolate with a touch of coffee to heighten the chocolate flavor: http://madebynicole.blogspot.com/2011/04/cake-11-mocha-snacking-cake.html

  53. We really love the Hershey’s choc cake recipe found on the back of Hershey’s cocoa. Oh my goodness, it is good!

  54. Oh my gosh, I think I’ve died and gone to heaven! I’ll be thanking you the rest of my life (or cursing you, depending on how much weight I gain).

  55. the best chocolate cake is definitely the pioneer woman’s. i use it for sheet cake, layer cake, and cupcakes!!!

  56. This looks awesome… I’m thinking of making it but putting a bit of mint or orange in the buttercream…. YUM!

  57. I agree with many of the others here – Hershey’s Perfectly Chocolate cake is the way to go for me! The frosting is thick, chocolatey, fudgey heaven. I made it for a cake class once and the instructor said she’d never seen such dark brown chocolate frosting – she thought I must have used food colouring. It’s sooooo good. I keep the extra in a container in the fridge and have a spoonful when I’m craving something sweet after making a cake!

  58. I can’t believe I’m doing this, but here is my choc cake recipe. It’s THE best chocolate cake, EVER! I don’t have an actual bakery, but I sell alot of cakes and this is my #1 request.

    1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
    2 cups sugar
    3/4 cup cocoa
    1-1/2 tsp baking powder
    1-1/2 tsp baking soda
    1 tsp salt
    2 eggs
    1 cup cream
    1/2 cup applesauce
    2 tsp vanilla
    1 cup BOILING water

    Combine all ingred’s except the water. Mix for couple minutes. Slowly add the boiling water. The batter will be runny. Bake at 350 for 30-40 mins. Cake is overdone if toothpick comes out clean! You want a little crumb on the toothpick. Flip them out of the pan onto saran wrap. Let them sit for 10-15 mins then wrap up and put in freezer. This is my secret for super moist cakes :-) I’ve left them in the freezer for 3 hours or even 2 weeks and it always tastes amazing.

  59. WoW .. It looks soooo yammi. I’ll make it soon.

  60. My daughter will turn 4 on Thursday and I will celebrate my birthday tomorrow. Today we will make this cake. Thanks for the recipe for our birthday cake!!

  61. I know what cake I’m baking for Hubby’s birthday next month. Thanks

  62. how to resist? happy new year 2012 !!Pierre de Paris

  63. Mary Ellen from Whisk Together posted a fantastic chocolate cake recipe. So moist with a rich chocolate taste. Her recipes have all been tried and tried again so I always feel confident that any recipe I try from her site will be wonderful. http://whisktogether.wordpress.com/2012/01/07/chocolate-cupcakes-with-cream-filling-like-hostess/

  64. Oh-Me-Oh-My! I don’t think I would have titled that post “just a cake” more like “Heavenly Cake,” “Chocolate Dream Cake,” or uhm… “Triple Chocolate Lovers Cake.” What a beautiful cake you made anyway!

    Now I’m really wanting to make some ganache!

  65. Wow! I’ve been searching for a cake for my birthday and I think I’ve found the perfect one!! Thanks :)

  66. I have never been really satisfied with chocolate cake until I made this black magic cake: http://mybestcookbook.wordpress.com/2011/09/25/black-magic-cake/
    It’s super moist and the coffee kicks up the chocolate flavor. I even prefer it over my white cake recipe, which is saying a lot.

  67. I’m on that same search for “the best” homemade chocolate cake! My current go-to recipe is from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe: http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2010/09/the-best-chocolate-cake.html

  68. Absolutely delicious! :)

    1 cup milk
    1 tablespoon vinegar
    1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
    2 cups white sugar
    3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    1 teaspoon baking powder
    2 teaspoons baking soda
    1/2 teaspoon salt
    2 eggs
    1/2 cup vegetable oil
    1 cup strong brewed coffee, cold
    1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    Make sour milk by combining milk and vinegar. Set aside. Sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, oil, coffee and vanilla. Stir in the sour milk. Gradually beat in the flour mixture, mixing just until incorporated.

  69. Oh my goodness that looks so yummy!

  70. I agree with Mimi, coffee instead of water is the best. My customers rave over it. I also use unsweetened and bittersweet chocolate combo.yummm

  71. WOW!!!! That looks AMAZING!!!!!
    I love, love, love, the black and white effect, what a simple but brilliant idea :)
    Angie, you’re a genius! x

  72. Hi Bakerella! Here’s my “go to”, all-time-favorite, chocolate cake recipe. It is the moistest chocolate cake I’ve ever had, and kind of resembles an oreo cookie in flavor (especially when paired with vanilla buttercream!) Also, it’s incredibly simple to make and fun to watch the vinegar and baking soda do their thing!

    http://www.joythebaker.com/blog/2010/02/sweetheart-rose-cupcakes/

    I’ve done the cupcakes and cake, and both are wonderful! Also, I don’t think I’ve ever made one entirely organic as the recipe calls for. I usually substitute unrefined coconut oil for the canola oil, which I think is a super yummy alternative.

    Hope you like it!
    Rachel

  73. Holy. Dude. Yes, please and thank you. AWESOME.

  74. mmmm. noting this via Pinterest so I can use it for hubby’s Bday. I can totally picture this with minty green butter cream.

  75. I made the mistake of reading through this, and looking at the pictures, while I’m at work….. at night…. and hungry. I want to lick my computer screen. :)

    SO making this cake!!!! Thanks for posting the photos and recipe!!

  76. I love the Coca-cola cake that cracker barrell makes! It sounds a little funky but it’s unique and very tasty!!

  77. Oh Angie, how could you do this to us?! That looks sooooo delicious. Happy New Year. :0)

  78. I love the cake.. I LOVE the photos!! Thanks Bakerella for another yummy idea :)

  79. Looks delish!!! I’m always a fan using mayonnaise for chocolate cake. Or, you can take the exact recipe you used and just beat your eggs and oil together first (and I mean REALLY beat) before mixing in the other ingredients (that’s really all mayo is after all). It gives the cake a moister, fluffier texture!

  80. LOVE your pictures of the drippy ganache! This cake is perfect. Somewhat elegant, somewhat perfectly messy. Beautiful!

  81. I like the “Hershey’s Perfectly Chocolate Cake Recipe.” (Although it looks similar to the one you tried!) http://www.hersheys.com/recipes/184/HERSHEY%27S%20%22PERFECTLY%20CHOCOLATE%22%20Chocolate%20Cake.aspx

    I always bake this for slightly less time than it calls for, and it always comes out super moist and delicious. My dad used to bake this ever year (by my request) for my birthday, and I’ve been baking it for years since! Everyone who’s tried it, loves it. :)

  82. That looks so yummy! As for chocolate cake suggestions, Paula Deen’s “Dreamy Chocolate Mousse Cake” is absolutely divine! Coffee-infused chocolate cake layers, filled with light and creamy chocolate mousse, topped with the best chocolate frosting I have ever made . . . perfection!

  83. How on earth do you cut slices that neatly?! I get anxiety every time somebody wants me to cut the cake/pie!

  84. I make Texas Chocolate Sheet Cake every other Sunday. It’s my hubby’s favorite and thinks we need to have it in the house at all times. I omit the cinnamon that the original recipe calls for.

  85. The best chocolate cake I have ever eaten is Rea’s Choc Texas Sheet cake. Does not get any better.

  86. omgosh this cake is gorgeousss!

  87. This cake looks beyond divine. You had me at ganache and then I see mini chocolate chips in the buttercream! Save me a slice! Here’s my go-to chocolate cake recipe: http://thefauxmartha.com/2011/09/12/chocolate-ganache-cupcakes/

  88. Well that’s my New Year’s diet down the drain!!!:)

  89. Cake, did someone say cake? Angie, this looks divine and is right up my alley. I love vanilla buttercream with chocolate cake, and actually it’s what’s been on my mind for weeks. I love the pouring of ganache over an already awesome cake–it makes it well, even more awesome! ;) xo

  90. I tried making ganache for the first time recently to go on an amazing cheesecake – it was an almost failure. I say almost because my husband wouldn’t let me through it away. He had me put it in a jar & he eats it with a spoon. It looks terrible! I’ll be trying this recipe though – it’s so much simpler.

  91. your cake looks so yummy! i am a chocolate cake fanatic! this is the best chocolate cake i’ve ever had. hope you like it too :) just be prepared…it’s pretty chocolatey!
    http://allrecipes.com/recipe/extreme-chocolate-cake/detail.aspx
    enjoy!

  92. My favorite is Zoe bakes devil’s food cake recipe. Coffee, Rum and chocolate – what’s NOT to like?! She makes it in cupcakes, I usually do one smaller cake and then 24 cupcakes. Moist, rich and perfect with her cream cheese frosting.
    http://zoebakes.com/2008/01/06/not-your-average-devils-food-cupcakes/

  93. that cake is beautiful!

  94. Oh.My. I absolutely must try this…I wonder if I could make it gluten free…hmmmm.

  95. http://www.food.com/recipe/Tuxedo-Cake-154489

    Rebecca Rather’s Tuxedo Cake is the best I’ve had and I’ve done a LOT of chocolate cake. I first saw it in a Texas Co-op Magazine and actually bought her book, Pastry Queen, just for that cake. It’s absolutely worth it!!

  96. Hershey’s Perfectly Chocolate Chocolate Cake is my go-to recipe! It’s absolutely perfect—-moist, chocolately, easy, YUMMY!

    http://www.hersheys.com/recipes/184/HERSHEY'S%20%22PERFECTLY%20CHOCOLATE%22%20Chocolate%20Cake.aspx

    I differ the frostings depending on my mood: chocolate ganache, chocolate buttercream, vanilla buttercream, whipped vanilla icing, peanut butter icing, mocha whipped cream, etc.etc. etc. :)

  97. YES! Ganache is perfection – and this cake looks too good!

  98. will the ganache stay glossy and with a sheen ?
    please rply to pearse@netamumail.com

  99. This cake looks absolutely delicious, as always! Thanks for sharing!

  100. This looks Awesome! Now I need a reason to make it.. oh yeah, because it’s MONDAY!

  101. I can’t imagine a chocolate cake recipe better than this!

  102. This looks amazeballs! I have a question- I’m always having an issue with making buttercream frosting. Does the butter need to be softened?

    Thanks for your help!

  103. With all the fancy cake/frosting flavors that are going around nowadays, it’s so refreshing to see a simple and delicious chocolate and vanilla cake. Classic for a reason!

  104. http://beckys-stockpot.blogspot.com/2010/01/best-chocolate-pound-cake.html
    This is the best chocolate cake in the world! (though not great pictures of it) It’s a pound cake with frosting. It stays delicious for up to a week if you don’t eat it all by then! :)

    Your cake is gorgeous!

  105. How do you frost it without the plate it is sitting on get all lame looking with frosting everywhere? My homemade cakes end up looking…dare I say it…homemade. :( Yours looks lovely. I’m going to try this out this weekend for my daughter’s 8th b-day. That is how much confidence I have in you!

  106. MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!

  107. Oh, how I love ganache! I love having some in the fridge, to pour on ice cream, brownies, my finger. Yum!! My favorite chocolate cake recipe is similar to yours, but the measurements are a little larger and I use buttermilk. It makes just the right amount for three 8 inch cake pans. Here it is on my blog… http://birdonacake.blogspot.com/2012/01/reeses-chocolate-peanut-butter-cake.html

  108. This looks so pretty & delish. Going to have to make this even though I’m on dang diet. I know my family will gooble it up. I’ll just sneak a bite:)

  109. I cannot wait to try this. How beautiful!! I’ll have to admit that my go-to chocolate cake recipe is from the barefoot contessa called “Beatty’s Chocolate Cake” – promise you its fab!

  110. I haven’t looked at all the comments, as there are a ton, so it has probably been said. Replace your hot water with strong hot coffee and it will knock your socks off. It REALLY brings out the chocolate flavor (and no coffee flavor, by the way). if that doesn’t do it I’ll send along my favorite chocolate cake recipe. It’s from The Whimsical Bakehouse. Their chocolate butter cake. I’m a chocolate lover and this is by far the best homemade chocolate cake recipe. They use, guess what? Coffee instead of water. Purdy cake, though!

  111. Angie…you are KILLIN’ me. I have to lose 15 pounds before my brother’s wedding in May. So I just can’t make this yet… but I”m going to make this cake after get back from the reception!

  112. I love the contrast. It makes it look so much fancier than even my well decorated cakes look!

  113. I made the ‘Ultimate Chocolate Cake’ from the Nestle website for my husband’s birthday this year and it was wonderful! Chocolatey and rich and totally yummy!

  114. Beautiful! Our favorite chocolate cake recipe around here is Wacky Cake, of which there are a million versions to be found via Google. Whatever the version, I use half a cup of cocoa powder instead of whatever the recipe calls for.

  115. This cake looks totally amazing!!! My question is how do you keep the buttercream from melting when you are pouring the ganache over it?

  116. “Just” a cake?? Oh no….that cake is spectacular. I really have to get some cake pans soon!

  117. I second (third, fourth) the Hershey’s Perfectly Chocolate Cake. I always substitute hot coffee for the hot water – it really jumps the taste to the next level.

  118. This looks absolutely delicious!

  119. My birthday’s coming up in a few weeks, this seems like just the excuse I need to make myself this cake. I think I would make more of a sour cream icing to go under the ganache though, I find that sets off the taste of chocolate cake better.

  120. looks beautiful and DELICIOUS!

  121. Angie! Oh my word! That looks AMAZING!!! And the middle part, the the chocolate chips?!? Faints.

    OK…the best chocolate cake I’ve found comes from the Martha Stewart Living Cookbook (from about 10 years ago). Her Devil’s Food Cake is fantastic.

  122. Years ago I found this chocolate cake on the Hershey website. In real life I like brownies, not cake. But I will stop everything I am doing to make this cake for any birthday coming up. You can TASTE the cocoa! It has such a warm and satisfying element to it. It’s amazing:
    http://www.hersheys.com/recipes/5044/Collector's%20Cocoa%20Cake.aspx

    And it’s lovely with cream cheese frosting.

    Love ya!

  123. So pretty. So yummy. I could go for a slice right now :)

  124. Chocolate cake with white icing has been my favorite since I was a kid. Topping it with ganache is even better. This is not “just a cake.” Thanks for the post. The ingredients are things everyone can find everywhere. My kind of recipe.

  125. Use Pioneer Woman’s Best Chocolate Sheet Cake Ever…it’s AMAZING! :)

  126. Beautiful Angie!
    So perfect and neat. I’d love me a bit of this at the current 10:21 am. ;-)

  127. My favorite chocolate cake is this Chocolate Raspberry Ganache Cake I found at 17 and baking. http://17andbaking.com/2009/04/19/chocolate-raspberry-ganache-cake-17-and-baking-turns-17/
    She found it in a book called Sky High: Irresistible Triple Layer Cakes.

    I also love making this cake with Martha Stewarts Dark Chocolate Frosting or with Ina Garten’s Peanut Butter Frosting.

  128. Something else, the difference its the good cocoa and coffee.. my budget does not always allowed the good cocoa but the Hershey’s Special Dark Cocoa so perfect..

  129. Oh My Ganache World!! amazingggg.. To me the best chocolate cake recipe its from the great Sweetapolita @ http://sweetapolita.com/blog/ .. its simple , super easy and super fast to make and bake.. not to sweet, any frosting combo goes, and super Moist…

  130. This is very similar to the cake recipe I use. My addition? A box of chocolate pudding poured in with the cocoa. Extra chocolate, plus it helps give the cake a thicker consistency when baking so it rises more but still has that lovely sticky, moist texture.

  131. I agree, you definitely can’t ever have too much frosting and this looks amazing. You take such beautiful photos!

  132. oops, I meant to say PUT a lot of frosting

  133. This looks incredible!! I like that you but a lot of frosting in the middle. It looks really nice. I usually end up putting only a little in the layers because I’m afraid of not having enough for the rest of the cake. But then the layers aren’t as pretty. I’m going to try your way next time.

  134. I think I just found my birthday cake for this year!!! I will definitely have to have my mom check this one out!

    P.S. How did you get your slice so straight and even and CLEAN???

  135. My mouth is watering right now. Delicious…now I want to bake a layer cake.

  136. Oh wow. This looks divine. I would eat…all of that. I’m on a sugar-free diet (BOO) and this is making me swoon.

  137. This is the BEST chocolate cake ever. E.V.E.R.! I wouldn’t lie about something like that. :)
    http://joandsue.blogspot.com/2011/06/vanderwolfs-family-secret-chocolate.html

  138. My daughter made a cake like this for a Bridal Shower she threw for a girlfriend! Since the Brides colors was white and black, it was a stunning dramatic choice! Thanks for sharing. Hoping for the very best in health for you in this New Year 2012!

  139. although after compairing them closer….I think they sound a LOT alike. LOL

  140. Well, not having tasted yours yet, I don’t know if it’s better but I’ve been loving the one at the link below lately…not sure if it’s cause it’s super easy or because it’s yummy but it’s been what I’ve been making lately! :-))

    http://www.hersheys.com/pure-recipes/184/HERSHEY'S

  141. That’s not “Just a Cake” that’s Ummm Yummm!

  142. I Love Love ganache!! Can’t wait to try this recipe! You are so AWESOME!!!

  143. You just made me weak in the knees! What an amazing way to start off a Monday! The photos are gorgeous, and I’ll be making this plate of sinful delish today! Thank you for all you do ~ and sharing it too!

  144. I love this chocolate cake from Iambaker: http://iambaker.net/the-best-chocolate-cake It’s the only one I ever make now. Super moist, super fluffy. It’s got that perfect box-mix texture, but it’s at least ten times better.

  145. I am NOT a chocolate lover- in fact I avoid it. I order any other flavor but chocolate. Except for one thing, my mother’s chocolate cake and it is actually titled “The Best Chocolate Cake Ever”. It’s a moist layered chocolate cake, with sweet cream between each layer and then frosted all over with a milk chocolate fudge like frosting. OMG! You keep it in the fridge because it has to stay cold, but when you slice a piece and eat it with a cold glass of milk……heavenly. Did I mention I hate chocolate?

  146. it looks amazing, I would want the puddles of chocolate too, they make it look even better.

  147. that looks amazing! I cant wait to try it! I usually just use Hershey’s chocolate cake recipe

  148. That ganche looks awesome! Love this pretty little guy!

  149. Yummmmmo!!! Looks devine!

  150. I agree with Connie. The recipe on the back of the Hershey’s cocoa container makes a great cake and cupcakes. I also really like this one by Ina Garten. It’s moist, chocolatey and if you can keep it it stays that way. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/beattys-chocolate-cake-recipe/index.html
    One thing you can’t make with it is cupcakes. They come out too flat. That’s when I use the Hershey’s recipe.

  151. Gorgeous! I love it! When can I come over for a slice?!

  152. Oh my…..yum!!!

    The Primrose Bakery chocolate layer cake is my fave!

    http://www.daisycakecompany.co.uk

  153. Looks so beautiful! I’m in charge of making the cake for a 1 year old’s birthday party. This may be the ‘adult’ cake now (cake pops for the kids, of course!)

  154. I think I just found my next birthday cake!! And not a moment too soon as Wednesday is my birthday. Thanks for the beautiful and no doubt tasty creation.

  155. There is never too much ganache. I actually went swimming in some last night. True Story.

    Looks spectacularly gorgeous!

  156. THANK YOU FOR THE RECIPE !!! IT LOOKS BEAUTIFUL!

  157. Add a little expresso powder to that boiling water and you have the BEST chocolate ckae ever.

  158. YUM! where was this just a few days ago, when no one made me a birthday cake?!!? Guess I’ll have to make a belated birthday cake for myself!
    Thanks for the visual calories!

  159. You are so right, no such thing as too much ganache! This cake looks wonderful.

  160. That looks sooo luscious–I may need to Pinterest some of your photos! My step-mother’s almost flourless Very Fine Chocolate Cake may not be the best ever, but it gets raves every time. AND, it can be made with two screaming kids hanging on your legs–how many recipes survive that? Anyone want the recipe?

  161. god it’s beautiful!

  162. Oh my gosh heat attack cake ! mmm it looks amazing .going to try it tomorrow .My waste line not looking too good after christmas lol !

  163. I love how simple and beautiful this looks!

  164. No cake is ever “just a cake”…especially when it looks this good!

  165. I like Ina Garten’s Beatty Chocolate Cake, or the cake from the Sweet and Salty cake by the Baked guys. I’ve done a ton of experimenting, and these two have been consistently good.

  166. Thanks to you I cant work now cuz I can take my eyes of this cake ! :D
    oooh I am so loving the sight of it, I think ill faint if i get a bite.. I know a great moist chocolate cake recipe where should I send it?
    Although when I have little time on hand I prefer Betty Crocker’s
    moist chocolate cake.. that one is hard to beat ;)

  167. The Hershey recipe didn’t do it for me, until I tried it using Scharffen Berger cocoa, sour cream for the milk, and coffee instead of plain water.
    Wow!

    (My next experiement is to bump the cocoa amount from 3/4 cups to 1 cup…I think THEN my search for the perfect chocolate cake will be over!)

  168. Looks delicious!!
    I usually use this chocolate cake for filling and decorating:
    http://www.missoverballe.com/?p=1208
    or this one, for eating plain!
    http://www.missoverballe.com/?p=906

  169. Yum!! that looks really good! :)

  170. Best chocolate cake I’ve made, and I’ve made a lot…that one on the back of the Hershey’s can. It’s just amazingly good. The frosting recipe is pretty darn good also. (course, remember to doctor it up with your vanilla…)

  171. Hi im not familiar with the word Morsels what is it? Thanks!

  172. I am five months pregnant and this is literally torture. Needless to say my husband is at the store right now getting me ingredients! Thanks for sharing!!!’ :)

  173. Oh yes, you can never have too much ganache! your cake looks devine, lone that there are mini chips in the filling. They are my favorite.

  174. Too bad you didn’t live closer. That chocolate drizzle looks too inviting!

  175. hey,, i just ADORE this thing! im in LOVE, again!! ur terrific:3

  176. Beautiful and elegant and oh so yummy looking. Can’t wait to try this one.

  177. My favorite chocolate cake is the one from Bakewise- it’s so moist!

  178. Oh, I make a few changes to my version of that recipe, though.

    I add a tablespoon of coffee liquor to intensify the chocolate flavor, and I use chocolate milk instead of plain.

  179. This looks YUMMY!!! Mmmmm. Loving the white/black contrast too…. And the mini chocolate chips…. Mmmmm!

    If you haven’t, try this chocolate cake… http://smittenkitchen.com/2008/08/chocolate-peanut-butter-cake/ is the bomb… A Very rich, very sinful bomb. The whole thing = chocolate peanut butter coma.

  180. Gorgeous! Ina Garten’s Beatty’s chocolate cake recipe has been very successful for me.

  181. It’s funny that you asked for good chocolate cake recipes, because I was going to suggest my favorite, luscious, deep dark chocolate cake recipe, but it’s the same one you posted!! Ha!

    The hot water always throws me off. Seems like a weird addition to rich a rich, dark cake…but it’s such a great recipe. Love it. Well done–that is one gorgeous cake.

  182. thanks for sharing the recipe! :)

  183. Oh my! My mouth was salivating reading this blog after baking 3 chocolate cakes last week I’ll have to try out this recipe!

    Love your blog and all your fab ideas! Thank you for sharing your amazing work with us !

  184. this looks divine! i’ve never made ganache but you’ve inspired me to do so, as always! :)

  185. This is soooo not just a cake!! It must be something from heaven. Like the black and white composition!!

  186. Hershey’s perfectly chocolate chocolate cake is to die for!

  187. Yummy!!!

  188. Oh my dear heavens…..yes please.

  189. Beautiful cake…. Beautiful pictures!!!

  190. That looks more than delicious. I need pants with an elastic waistband to even look at the photos!

  191. Oh ganache with just a tad of Java Juice liquid coffee extract!

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