Name: Decadent Layered Chocolate Cake with Creamy Filling & Ganache Topping
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 2 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 2 cups granulated sugar; ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 2 tsp baking powder; 1 ½ tsp baking soda; 1 tsp salt; 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature; ½ cup vegetable oil; 2 large eggs; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 1 cup hot coffee (or hot water); 1 cup heavy cream; 8 oz cream cheese, softened; ½ cup powdered sugar; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 8 oz semisweet or dark chocolate, chopped; 1 cup heavy cream; 2 tbsp unsalted butter

Description

A rich and indulgent layered chocolate cake with velvety cream filling and smooth ganache topping—perfect for birthdays, holidays, or any celebration.

Ingredients

For the Chocolate Cake:

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups granulated sugar

¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tsp baking powder

1 ½ tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 cup buttermilk, room temperature

½ cup vegetable oil

2 large eggs

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup hot coffee (or hot water)

For the Creamy Filling:

1 cup heavy cream

8 oz cream cheese, softened

½ cup powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Ganache Topping:

8 oz semisweet or dark chocolate, chopped

1 cup heavy cream

2 tbsp unsalted butter

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Instructions

Make the Cake Layers: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans. In a bowl, whisk flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla; mix until smooth. Stir in hot coffee until batter is thin. Divide evenly between pans and bake 30–35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.

Prepare the Filling: Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Whip heavy cream separately until stiff peaks form, then fold into cream cheese mixture to create a fluffy filling.

Prepare the Ganache: Heat cream in a saucepan until just simmering. Pour over chopped chocolate and let sit 5 minutes. Stir until smooth, then mix in butter for shine. Cool slightly until pourable.

Assemble the Cake: Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread creamy filling evenly on top. Add the second cake layer. Pour ganache over the cake, letting it drip down the sides.

Let set before slicing and serving.

Notes

Chill the cake for 30 minutes before slicing for cleaner cuts.

Garnish with chocolate shavings, berries, or whipped cream.

For extra decadence, double the ganache and let some soak into the layers.

Store covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Dessert, Cake
Method: Baking, Layering
Cuisine: American, European-Inspired