Chocolate Layer Cake with Ganache
This spectacular Old Fashioned Chocolate Layer Cake Filled with White Chocolate Ganache is perfect for any celebration. There is no shortage of chocolate in this Chocolate Cake Recipe, and it was a major hit on my oldest son’s birthday.
This moist Chocolate Cake from Scratch is ideal for special occasions, especially when there’s a surprise white chocolate ganache filling. Every decadent bite is sheer bliss.
Why You Must Make
- The old-fashioned chocolate layer cake is a tried and true recipe.
- Adding a white chocolate ganache layer pushes it over the top!
- Just look at that rich, glossy frosting!!!
It’s pretty much a tradition to have a chocolate layer cake two days after Christmas. Still full from all the holiday overeating, we have one more special event to celebrate before the New Year. I can hardly believe it’s been 26 years since I gave birth to my oldest. When he asked for a chocolate cake filled with white chocolate ganache, it was pretty much a done deal.
He wasn’t due till after New Year’s Day so since Bill was scheduled to make rounds over the holidays, I hopped in my little red Toyota and drove over the snow-covered interstate to visit my parents.
After celebrating Christmas with my family, I returned home to work a full evening shift on the oncology ward. Bill and I were both exhausted as we fell into bed late on the 26th after a full day of caring for patients. Hours later I awoke to labor pains and little Thomas was born before noon the next day with a head full of wild brown hair and his dad’s beautiful eyes. I was smitten.
Perfect Birthday Cake Recipe
Like his father, Tom was an instant fan of chocolate. Well, it did take a few months before he first indulged. As a toddler, I remember him pounding on the refrigerator door saying, “puddy, puddy, puddy” over and over. The stash of chocolate jello pudding cups I kept on hand for quick snacks had become a favorite treat.
Birthdays demanded some sort of chocolate cake or pie, so the birthday boy got his request for a chocolate layer cake. But with a surprise in the middle.
How to Make
I tweaked an old-fashioned chocolate layer cake recipe by adding a thick, decadent filling of white chocolate ganache. Besides an extremely rich chocolate buttercream frosting, it was this surprise filling that pushed this chocolate cake over the top!
- Make and cool the layer cakes. Reserve one to use at a later time.
- Make and chill the ganache until it’s a spreadable consistency
- Cover and chill the cake so the ganache is firm.
- Make the frosting and frost the cake.
- Keep the cake in the refrigerator, but bring it out an hour or so before serving to take the chill off.
Although hubby jokingly declared the frosting to be “a chocolate party in his mouth” (after I told him, “good, really, really good” didn’t make for a very interesting blog quote), it was so moist, it was difficult to slice. Still, the combination of cake, filling, and icing made for one spectacular tasting cake. Maybe not up to my picky standards when it comes to perfect slices, but definitely worth sharing due to the amazing flavor.
I sent the leftovers of this chocolate layer cake home with the grown-up version of the guy below, and he and one of his roommates elected not to share it with any of their friends. I consider that the highest compliment!
Tips for Making
- Lining your baking pans with rounds of parchment paper helps minimize any sticking when removing the baked cakes from their pans.
- The pans should also be greased and floured or sprayed with an oil and flour non-stick baking spray.
- Make sure to cool your cakes on a rack for about 10 minutes before turning them out of the pans to finish cooling.
- As with most baking recipes, unless otherwise specified, have your eggs at room temperature for the best incorporation.
- After adding the dry ingredients, just mix until well combined. At this point, do not beat as this will activate the gluten and add air to the batter.
- PRO-Tip: This recipe uses both baking soda and the less-used baking powder. Before you even start mixing, check the expiration date on the baking powder. It often expires while sitting in your pantry.
- The combination of buttermilk, oil, and an extra egg yolk ensures a super moist and tender cake.
- PRO-Tip: Did you know that coffee intensifies the flavor of chocolate? Despite the 1½ cups of coffee in the batter, I could not detect any coffee flavor. Cocoa and chocolate provide the majority of the flavor.
- Over-baking your cake will make it drier. Check the cakes for about 35 minutes with a toothpick. If it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, your cake is done. If there’s batter on the toothpick, you definitely need to add more time.
- PRO-Tip: Chill the white chocolate ganache to a thick, yet spreadable consistency before using it. This will prevent it from dripping when the top layer is added. Refrigerate the whole cake again before frosting so the ganache is well chilled.
- It is tough to slice the cake without getting chocolate onto the white chocolate filling. Use a serrated knife, and wipe it off frequently. But don’t worry, the taste will distract from the less than bakery-perfect pieces!
More Birthday Cake Recipes:
- Classic Carrot Cake – MY choice for a birthday cake!
- Classic Yellow Butter Cake – Always a hit with chocolate frosting.
- Fudge Layer Cake – An impressive multi-layer cake that any chocoholic will love!
- Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake – Another old-fashioned recipe for one of the moistest chocolate cakes you’ll ever taste!
- German Chocolate Cake
- Ding Dong Cake
- White Layer Cake
- More Cake Recipes
This Chocolate Layer Cake Recipe was originally shared in January 2013. The photos and text were updated in 2019 after sharing this decadent cake with neighbors at our annual 4th of July party. There was nothing left but crumbs!
Chocolate Layer Cake Filled with White Chocolate Ganache
Tender, moist chocolate cake filled with white chocolate ganache and finished off with a thick layer of chocolate frosting!
Ingredients
- 5 ounces semisweet chocolate (chopped)
- 1 ½ cups very hot coffee
- 3 cups sugar
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 1 ½ cups cocoa powder (sifted)
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- ¾ teaspoons. baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 whole eggs and 1 egg yolk (at room temperature)
- ¾ cup canola oil
- 1 ½ cups buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Filling:
- 12 ounces white chocolate (chopped)
- ½ cup heavy cream
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
- 10 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 ½ cups (3 sticks) butter, room temperature
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
Instructions
- To make the cake: Preheat oven to 325º. Coat three 8 or 9-inch cake pans with non-stick spray and then line the bottom of the pans with rounds of parchment paper. Note that this recipe makes 3 layers, but only 2 are needed for this cake.
- Put very hot coffee into a medium bowl. Add chocolate, let sit for 5 minutes, then whisk until fully melted Set aside.
- In a stand mixer, combine 3 eggs and 1 extra yolk with the sugar and beat until light and pale yellow, approximately 3 minutes.
- Add the oil, buttermilk, and vanilla and beat until combined.
- Add flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and powder, and salt and beat until combined. Add chocolate mixture and mix until just fully incorporated.
- Divide batter between pans and bake in the middle of the oven until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 40-45 minutes.
- Remove to cooling rack. Cool for about 10 minutes, then remove from pans and allow to cool completely.
- Carefully peel off the parchment. Wrap and freeze one of the 3 layers to use at a later time. You can make a 3 layer cake, but you will need more filling and frosting.
- To make filling: Melt cream and white chocolate in the microwave, stopping and stirring at 30-second increments till smooth and melted. Refrigerate mixture till cool and thick (you do not want the filling to be hard, but if it is too runny, it will run down the sides of the cake when the second layer is placed over it).
- To make the frosting: Place chopped chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave, stopping to stir frequently until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Let the chocolate cool until lukewarm, stirring occasionally.
- Beat butter in a large bowl until smooth and creamy (I used my stand mixer with the paddle attachment). Sift powdered sugar over the butter and beat until well blended, about 2 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Add melted chocolate and beat until well blended, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Frost as desired.
Notes
This recipe makes an extra layer which you can wrap and freeze to use later.
I had leftover frosting and calorie count is based on using all the frosting.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16Serving Size:
1 sliceAmount Per Serving: Calories: 714Total Fat: 30gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 336mgCarbohydrates: 109gFiber: 4gSugar: 86gProtein: 8g
90 Comments on “Chocolate Layer Cake with Ganache”
Hi,
Do you think this cake recipe will work cut into a number cake for a birthday, or will it be so moist and soft it will be too difficult to do that? I was hoping to make 2 square layers then cut them to a make a 2 layer number 7 cake for my twins birthday! Also, could I use white chocolate for the frosting too? Thanks!
Hi, Cal, As you can probably see from the photos, it’s a pretty moist cake. I’m thinking it might be a challenge to cut it. Though if you freeze the cooled cakes and use a serrated knife, it could work. White chocolate is softer than dark chocolates so it’s not an easy one to one swap. I’d have to test it to figure out much to use. Let me do a quick google search and see if I can find a recipe for you to try.
Here’s one that I think you’ll love: https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/white-chocolate-buttercream-frosting/ (https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/white-chocolate-buttercream-frosting/)
Hey, im from Germany and trying to calculate the cups into grams. Is it realy 3 cups sgar? I think it would mean 660 grams sugar then? Or do you have the possibility to write the receipt down in grams? Lovely regards, Doreen
Hi, Doreen,
Yes, it’s really 3 cups of sugar or 600 grams according to the conversion table I used. You could probably reduce the amount a bit, but I try to cut thin slices for smaller portions 🙂
Is there any way to add a flavoring to the white chocolate ganache? I want a hint of orange in mine but I’m not sure if adding an extract, juice, oil or zest would mess up the consistency. If I can add one which would you advise and how much could I add? Please respond as soon as possible as I need to make this tomorrow in the mid morning. Thanks!
Hi, Tammie, Yes, you can add some orange extract and it should be fine. I’d try 1/2 teaspoon and give it a taste. If it’s not enough, add a bit more. Hope you enjoy!!!
How did you add the ganache to the cake?
Hi, Gaby, Let the ganache cool enough so you can spread it on the bottom layer like frosting without it dripping down the sides. You can then chill that ganache topped bottom layer for a short time so the ganache firms up before adding the top layer. Since it’s summer, you might want to cover with plastic wrap and chill once again before frosting. Hope that helps!
Hi, What should I use If I don’t like coffee?
My husband does not like coffee or anything mocha either, but the flavor is not noticeable in this recipe. It just tastes like chocolate. But if you are still worried, just use hot water instead of the hot coffee. Hope you enjoy!
Does it matter if we use chocolate chips vs chocolate baking bar? Is there a difference??
Hi, Elizabeth, Chocolate Chips usually have additives like wax to help keep their shape so aren’t as good quality as baking bars, but they’ll definitely work in this recipe. Hope you enjoy this cake!
Any suggested for fruity or more chocolatey substitutions for the white chocolate mousse?
Hi, Drew, How about using semi-sweet chocolate instead of white chocolate for a chocolate ganache filling? That should work well—though you might want to add a T more cream since white chocolate is softer than dark Good luck!
The cake looks amazing. Is the cake refrigerated when complete? I wonder how the ganache remains a filling texture and doesn’t harden?
Yes, I’d keep it refrigerated to keep it fresh. It can be brought out about an hour before serving so it can warm up a bit. I don’t recall the filling ever getting hard—in fact, it was difficult to slice it without getting the filling onto the cake layer 🙂 Hope that helps!
Question: What kind of flour should I use for this recipe? Cake & Pastry flour or All Purpose Flour?
Should I sift the flour before using it?
This cake looks awesome! While I do a lot of cooking, I’m going to use this recipe to try my hand at baking. It’s my Mom’s birthday tomorrow, and I don’t believe anyone has ever made her a cake for her birthday. She has always been the one doing the baking. She lives with our family now during these Covid-19 times, going to take care of my Dad in long-term care every day. I’m hoping I can pull this together for her.
Hi, Lori! What a nice treat for your mom’s birthday. Use all-purpose flour. You just need to sift the cocoa powder, but if you’d like to, you can put the sifted cocoa, flour, baking powder, soda, and salt into a bowl and mix it together with a whisk before adding it to the batter. I do that with some recipes just to make sure the leaveners get well distributed. It’s a super moist, yummy cake so hope you all enjoy!!
Liz-
What is meant by melting the cream?
What type of cream is used ? I bought heavy whipping cream but would like to know the correct Ingredient!
Hi, Joanne, Good question. I can see why you were puzzled. It’s heavy cream and I’ll edit the recipe to be more specific. Hope you enjoy!
This looks delicious! I plan on using this recipe for my sons birthday cake and was just wondering if you use instant or brewed/ground coffee for the cake batter?
Hi, Sophie,
We’re not coffee drinkers, so I always use some instant coffee to make enough for my recipes. Either brewed or instant work well. Hope you enjoy—this is a super rich, super delicious cake!!!
This cake looks perfect. That white chocolate ganache layer though — that’s what’s calling my name most. YUMMMM!
That thick layer of White Chocolate Ganache is worth each extra minute spent working out. I’m looking forward to trying this!
Question: it says to prep 3 pans but the picture shows only 2 layers. Im a new baker, am i misinterpreting something?
Thanks.
Hi, Lauren,
This cake recipe makes 3 layers, but only 2 are needed for the cake. Store the extra layer in your freezer when you want to have a one layer chocolate cake for dessert. I mentioned that somewhere in the post, but I’ll go edit the recipe so it’s not so confusing! Hope you enjoy this cake!!
ok thanks!! i only have 2 pans so that will work for me. it might be but my reading may have been cloudy 🙂 wish me luck, this will be my 2nd cake ever.
Fingers crossed for you, Lauren!
There’s nothing better than chocolate cake with ganache! This is an absolute dream! 🙂
There is nothing better for dessert than a slice of chocolate layer cake in my book, except perhaps 2 slices:) This cake is a classic, and a wonderful way to celebrate our 5th anniversary as a group. Bravo!
A good, classic chocolate cake has always been one of my favorites! The addition of the white chocolate ganache layer inside really elevates it making it so perfect for a summer special occasion!
A cake involving ganache is my favorite cake. 🙂 A chocolate party indeed. This is definitely one I would make for a celebration. 🙂 ~Valentina
Liz, I have so enjoyed reading this post! What a cutie your little guy – now big guy – was! They’re wonderful years, aren’t they? This cake is just irresistible and so decadent! Love it!
Chocolate party in the mouth is a GREAT blog quote! And this is a great cake — looks spectacular, and given that quote, I know it tastes terrific. Thanks!
I wish I could taste this beauty! The photos are gorgeous! I’m a chocaholic too, and while I rarely eat sweets, if I do, they are bound to have chocolate… I love your “tips” section, especially the fact that coffee enhances the flavor of chocolate. BTW, your son is a lucky guy!
OMG!!! This looks like the best chocolate cake ever!!
How in heavens name to you get such a clean and perfect slice with no crumbs on the white chocolate? I am in awe.
There is nothing better than an old fashioned chocolate layer cake – except this version with the white chocolate ganache filling. It is spectacular! I want a couple of slices right now! 🙂
Love this cake Lizzy ! looks stunning!! are you in summer holidays??
We are in winter.
Hop eto make other post soon. Still my arm hurt me sometimes but Im better!! hugs and love my friend
Liz this cake looks fantastic! My sons bday is coming up I may consider trying this, he loves chocolate too! It’s looks perfect!
Chocolate cake is such a weakness of mine, then you put that white chocolate ganache layer in the middle and I’m undone. Looks like the ultimate birthday cake to me, Liz!
That middle layer makes this a wowser cake, and I would do as your son and not share the leftovers. Call me selfish, or call me smart. LOVELY cake, and I want it for lunch today!
I love that layer of white chocolate ganache! Looks so delicious.
Cake it one of my favorite things. I love the look of yours, especially the stark contrast between the filling the cake. Before I met my husband, I almost always added coffee to chocolate cakes for the same reason that you do, but believe it or not, my husband – who detests coffee, but I married him despite that – can totally detect it. I’ve tried and tried to test and trick him, and he can always tell. So I’ve had to give up on that little trick.
I wish someone would make me this cake for ~my~ b-day! It sounds amazing:@)
Happy birthday Thomas! Wow, this looks divine! Truly wicked. Loving the layers and that smooth, ganache swirling…wow!
Party cake for sure! Love the thick layer of frosting–perfect. You do know how to bake it right Lizzy.
Happy birthday Thomas. Time does fly, my eldest is almost a teen so it won’t be long before she grows up and flies the nest. The cake is stunning and so decedent. I love the white chocolate ganache filling too, that creamy touch of extra chocolate. Perfect.
This looks so good, but now it’s just becoming torture for me to look at!
Happy Birthday to Thomas! He is so lucky to have a great mom who bakes such fabulous treat like this cake!!
Happy Birthday to Thomas! That’s one good looking cake, that thick layer of frosting looks pretty tempting!
Awe, what a sweet story. Happy birthday to your “little” guy and that’s a hell of a cake!
First off Happy New year. Second I am not getting your feed in my feed reader anymore (thought you were away). And finally Happy Birthday, Thomas, what an amazing cake!
Now , thats how you frost a cake! Wow!.Looks good.
Happy birthday to Tom and what a cake – no wonder they didn’t share, hehe. Yes, it also has to be said here that I could hardly believe it myself that you have a 26 year old when I met you in Paris last summer. You’re such a belle famille and the only layers you’ll find around you is with cakes!
Your frosting looks intense but oh so good. What a wonderful birthday cake? Remember mine falls in September. (wink, wink)
Lizzy, I won’t want to share this cake with anyone either! Very smart boys 🙂
Oh man, I’d have a hard time sharing that cake. Though eating that all by myself would only speed up getting diabetes…
Aww! Happy birthday to your baby!
Happy birthday to you son. The chocolate cake looks beautiful and delicious I love it.
Happy birthday to your son, what georgeous Mom you are!!
Another gorgeous cake Lizzy! I am sure that anyone would like it!
So your oldest has just turned 26? My oldest is about to turn 20. Both seem to have a healthy appetite for chocolate. What a gorgeous looking cake and I love how the centre is filled with a white chocolate ganache – it just adds to the decadence of this wonderful treat xx
Love the quote. Sometimes you just have to put a husband’s words back into his mouth and tell him to try again. I’m glad Tom(my) has gotten to the age where he realizes he doesn’t have to share everything. The cake looks delicious and very, very picture-presentable.
I love any kind of chocolate cake but this really looks sensational. I’m saving this recipe to try for the next birthday. Thanks for sharing.
A gorgeous looking cake!! Perfect for celebrating a birthday! Happy Birthday to Thomas!
What a perfect chocolate lover’s cake for his 26th birthday!!! I can see why he and his roommate decided not to share!!! I must say too – you look far too young to have a 26 year old! It’s hard to make a Christmas birthday special but I think you did it!
Lucky boy to have such an incredible baker for a Mom, such a gorgeous cake. BTW, you are far too young to have a 26 year old, far too young. XO
My friend Liz.
First, happy 2013 to you and the whole family.
Then congratulations to his son Thomas for his 26 years of age and have the joy of being a child of a mother as wonderful as you.
Beautiful and tasty cake, well suited for a celebration.
Kisses of Gina
Happy Birthday to your son, Liz!!! How lucky to receive this beautiful cake! I would give anything for a slice if there’s any left over!!!
Such a gorgeous and decadent cake, perfect for a birthday celebration! 🙂
Looks so…………. yummy!!!! Wow, I can see why they didn’t want to share it. I think our Nicks have similar tendencies when it comes to sweets. One time when my Nick was in college, I made a LARGE pound cake for him to share with his housemates. They never saw it because he hid it. He did share a bit with his girlfriend (who’s now his wife) but she told me that he only gave her a few “slivers”. What a brat! 🙂
I enjoy reading the story about the day your son was born… so cute that he loves chocolates since when he was young. As a mom we remember some interesting moment of our kids and we treasure it even when kids are older… Happy Birthday to your son and I love your chocolate ganache filling!
Aww, happy birthday to your son! What a wonderful post, Liz, and a stunningly decadent cake! I think your frosting looks gorgeous, so don’t let those air bubbles get you down. And I love that you made your husband give you a sexier quote for the blog, lol.
Wonderful and delicious!
happy 2013
spery
Awwww how sweet! Happy birthday to your boy! He was lucky indeed to have such an AMAZING cake!!
Happy 26th to Thomas! Time flies, doesn’t it? I’d be thrilled if my cake decorating turned out like that one. It’s gorgeous. White chocolate ganache, huh? If you have any left over, can I have the tub and a spoon? 🙂
Perfect looking chocolate cake for a birthday!
What a lucky son! 🙂 My Beloved gives me boring quotes like that, too. “Mmmmm. Nice, sweetie,” just doesn’t cut it! lol
That cake looks scrumptious, but the photo is awesome. Your photography skills are really good. Just had to mention it.
Lizzy,
The cake looks amazing! My hubby would love it and his birthday is next month, so guess what he’s getting.
Annamaria
PS: Happy Birthday Thomas. Are you sure you have a 26 year old? You look so young.
I know exactly what you mean about the air holes in the frosting! I often have that problem especially with buttercreams! Looks great though, and we can’t even tell!
This cake sounds fabulous, Liz! I adore white chocolate ganache, but I’ve never tried it inside a cake before. Pinning 🙂
That icing looks deliciously thick – I want to stick a finger into the screen and scoop some out!
Happy Birthday Thomas! My mom has her 3 baby’s birthdays this month. My brother just turned 34 yesterday, my sister is 29 today and I am 28 on the 19th! She was just telling us how much she can’t believe that she is old enough to have kids that are all so grown up!
What a lovely birthday cake!! I wouldn’t have shared it either! 😉
Happy New Year! That cake looks just stunning!
Happy Birthday to your son!! What a perfect birthday cake and treat. Lizzy, you worked until the last day of your pregnancy… tipping my hat off to you. I can’t imagine being on my feet that last month of pregnancy as a nurse. I know you are a hard worker…. I see all the hard work you put into your fabulous blog and all amazing things that come out of your kitchen. You are a force to reckon with… take a bow Mom… I think Moms forget to get patted on the back on a child’s birthday. You did all the hard work after all. 😉
Wow, this is a perfect birthday cake with the white choco filling. Just the combination for a chocoholic. I don´t see the holes really… Happy Birthday Thomas! I wish I´d had a mom who baked me these cakes Liz!
Happy Birthday to your Thomas , Lizzy ! He’s so lucky to have a Mom who’s such an amazing baker/cook 😉 …. Anyway , that cake looks utterly delish ! Love the generous frosting so as that yummy filling !
Happy Birthday, Thomas. How blessed he is to have such a talented, caring mom. Love that swirl effect on top of the cake…and looking forward to making that white ganache =)