Get ready to fall head over heels for this decadent chocolate layer cake ith Cream Cheese Frosting and Ganache! Imagine a tower of tender, deeply chocolatey cake slathered in tangy, pillowy cream cheese frosting, then draped in a glossy chocolate ganache drip. Each slice is pure celebration—moist, rich, and impossible to resist. Whether for birthdays, holidays, or just because you crave something special, this cake delivers drama and flavor in every glorious layer. It’s the kind of show-stopper dessert you’ll dream about long after the last crumb is gone!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this recipe was chosen for maximum chocolatey impact and that flawless creamy finish. You don’t need anything out of the ordinary, but don’t underestimate how important it is to use the best you can get—your cake will thank you, crumb by crumb!
- All-purpose flour: The foundation for a tender, sturdy crumb that supports all those luscious layers.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens every bite and helps lock in moisture for melt-in-your-mouth cake.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Choose a good-quality cocoa to give your chocolate cake its intense, deep flavor and rich color.
- Baking soda: Gives your cake a lofty rise and an airy texture.
- Baking powder: Adds a little extra lift for a perfectly soft crumb.
- Salt: Enhances all the chocolatey goodness.
- Buttermilk: Ensures a moist, tender crumb and adds a slight tang.
- Vegetable oil: Makes the cake incredibly moist—so much nicer than butter for texture here!
- Large eggs: Bind everything together and add richness.
- Vanilla extract: Deepens the flavors and makes both the cake and frosting sing.
- Strong brewed coffee, hot: Intensifies the chocolate flavor—don’t worry, you won’t taste the coffee, just more chocolate!
- Unsalted butter, softened: The base for a silky, dreamy cream cheese frosting.
- Cream cheese, softened: Adds a welcome tang and luscious creaminess to the frosting.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting, giving it a cloud-like texture.
- Heavy cream: Creates a rich and glossy ganache that cascades over the cake’s edges.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Melt into the heavy cream for that shiny, chocolate cloak atop your cake.
- Chocolate chips (for sprinkling): Add a playful touch to your masterpiece.
- Chocolate squares or shards: For visual wow-factor and extra bites of chocolate.
- Chocolate truffles or candies: A luxurious decoration that lets everyone know you mean dessert business.
- Whipped cream or extra frosting: For piping pretty swirls on top of the ith Cream Cheese Frosting and Ganache cake.
How to Make ith Cream Cheese Frosting and Ganache
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Step 1: Bake the Cake Layers
Preheat your oven and get those pans ready, because the base of any great chocolate layer cake ith Cream Cheese Frosting and Ganache is a tender, moist sponge. Carefully whisk your dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet in another—this keeps everything airy and light. When you add the hot coffee, don’t be startled by the thin batter; it’s the secret to a super-moist crumb! Divide it evenly in your pans and bake until your kitchen smells like chocolate heaven.
Step 2: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
While your cakes are cooling, bring out the butter and cream cheese. Whip them together until they’re fluffy as clouds, then slowly add powdered sugar. A few minutes of whipping and a generous splash of vanilla will give you a swoon-worthy frosting that’s perfect for slathering between layers and swirling on top of your ith Cream Cheese Frosting and Ganache masterpiece!
Step 3: Make the Chocolate Ganache
Ganache might sound fancy, but it’s just melted chocolate chips and warm cream, swirled together until glossy and smooth. Let it cool just enough so it’s pourable but not runny—the consistency is key for those dramatic drips that make ith Cream Cheese Frosting and Ganache look straight out of a bakery window.
Step 4: Assemble the Cake
Time to build your showpiece! Trim your cake layers for that picture-perfect stack, then alternate cake and a generous slather of cream cheese frosting. Go for a naked cake look by scraping extra frosting from the sides, amplifying those inviting layers. When your ganache has thickened, guide it gently over the top and down the sides. Finish with piped swirls, chocolate chips, truffles, and any decorative bits you love, creating a custom ith Cream Cheese Frosting and Ganache creation. Chill so everything sets into sliceable, irresistible perfection.
How to Serve ith Cream Cheese Frosting and Ganache
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Garnishes
When it comes to dressing up this ith Cream Cheese Frosting and Ganache beauty, the sky’s the limit! Sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top for texture, add a few elegant chocolate shards or squares, and nestle in a chocolate truffle or two. Swirls of whipped cream or more cream cheese frosting piped around the edges make it feel festive and bakery-worthy.
Side Dishes
This cake is the star, but you can pair it with a cloud of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for even more decadence. If you’re serving ith Cream Cheese Frosting and Ganache at a gathering, consider a platter of fresh berries on the side—their tartness is a lovely contrast to all the rich chocolate and creamy frosting.
Creative Ways to Present
Dress up each plate with a drizzle of ganache or a dusting of cocoa powder. For an upscale touch, place a chocolate square or truffle on top of each slice right before serving. You can also layer cake slices in small jars with extra frosting and ganache for adorable parfaits—perfect for picnics or as edible gifts! There’s no wrong way to show off your ith Cream Cheese Frosting and Ganache creation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cover any uneaten cake and keep it in the fridge—well-wrapped, it stays ultra-moist and delicious for up to five days. The flavors meld even more beautifully after the first day, so leftovers of the ith Cream Cheese Frosting and Ganache cake are honestly a treat in themselves!
Freezing
If you want to make your cake in advance, you certainly can! Freeze the unfrosted cake layers tightly wrapped for up to two months. You can even freeze frosted ith Cream Cheese Frosting and Ganache slices; just wrap them individually and thaw in the fridge overnight before serving for a stress-free dessert option.
Reheating
For the freshest taste, let cold cake slices come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before enjoying. If you want that just-baked feel, pop a slice in the microwave for about 10 seconds—the ganache will turn slightly gooey and the cake will taste even richer. Truly the best way to revisit ith Cream Cheese Frosting and Ganache any time you need a chocolate fix!
FAQs
Can I use Dutch processed cocoa instead of regular?
Absolutely! Dutch processed cocoa has a smoother, more intense flavor and gives the ith Cream Cheese Frosting and Ganache a darker, richer color. Just be aware that it may make the cake slightly more dense, but it will be every bit as delicious.
What if I don’t have buttermilk?
No worries! You can make a quick substitute: just add one tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to a cup of milk, let it sit for five minutes, and use it in place of buttermilk in your ith Cream Cheese Frosting and Ganache recipe.
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Definitely! Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. The cake layers will still turn out wonderfully tender and perfect for layering with cream cheese frosting and ganache.
How do I get perfect ganache drips?
The trick is waiting for the ganache to cool enough that it won’t run everywhere, but is still smooth and pourable. Using a spoon to nudge drips down the side lets you control the look. Practice makes perfect, and any extra ganache just means more deliciousness on your ith Cream Cheese Frosting and Ganache cake!
Can I add fruit or nuts to the layers?
You sure can! Raspberries or sliced strawberries make a tart, fresh addition between layers, and toasted pecans or walnuts add crunch. Just don’t overload—the focus is still on that decadent combination of cream cheese frosting and ganache.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a dessert that feels special, fun, and absolutely unforgettable, this ith Cream Cheese Frosting and Ganache cake should be next on your to-bake list. It’s a true labor of love, but every bite brings joy—I hope it becomes one of your favorite celebration cakes too!
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