Vanilla Cake With Chocolate Ganache – Bakery Cooked

Vanilla Cake with Chocolate Ganache is a rich, moist dessert layered with silky ganache made from real cream and semisweet chocolate.

I made this Vanilla Cake With Chocolate Ganache after watching a baking show where a pastry chef crafted a similar version, and I felt inspired to recreate it in my kitchen.

The soft vanilla sponge balances beautifully with the deep chocolate flavor on top. This Vanilla Cake With Chocolate Ganache stands out for its smooth texture and the way the ganache sets like a glossy blanket.

I’ll now walk you through how I made this Vanilla Cake With Chocolate Ganache at home, showing each step from scratch to final frosting.

The Secret To Super Vanilla Cake With Chocolate Ganache

The secret to a super moist Vanilla Cake with Chocolate Ganache lies in using room temperature ingredients, especially butter, eggs, and milk, which blend more evenly into the batter for a smoother, more consistent crumb.

Creaming the butter and sugar properly until light and fluffy adds air, helping the cake rise tender and soft. Adding the milk slowly while alternating with dry ingredients keeps the batter balanced and avoids over mixing.

For the ganache, warm cream poured over finely chopped chocolate ensures a glossy, rich finish that seals in the cake’s moisture and adds a luxurious texture.

How To Prepare Vanilla Cake with Chocolate Ganache?

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Yield: 10 servings

Kitchen Utensils Needed

• Mixing bowls (large and medium)
• Hand or stand mixer
• Rubber spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• 9-inch round cake pans (2)
• Cooling rack
• Small saucepan
• Whisk
• Offset spatula (for frosting)

Ingredients

For the Vanilla Cake:

• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
• 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
• 3 large eggs (room temperature)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup whole milk (room temperature)

For the Chocolate Ganache:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter (softened)
• 12 oz semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prep Pans

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper. Lightly dust with flour, tapping out the excess.

2. Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes on medium speed). This step helps incorporate air for a tender cake texture.

3. Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Add vanilla extract and mix until combined.

4. Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

5. Mix Wet and Dry Alternately

Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in three additions, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry mixture. Mix just until combined do not over mix.

6. Bake the Cakes

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Smooth the tops with a spatula. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool the cakes in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

7. Make the Chocolate Ganache Frosting

In a small saucepan, heat the heavy cream until it just begins to simmer. Remove from heat and pour it over the chopped semisweet chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Let sit for 2–3 minutes, then whisk until smooth. Stir in salted butter, vanilla extract, confectioners’ sugar, and sea salt. Let the ganache cool and thicken slightly before spreading.

8. Assemble and Frost the Cake

Place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand. Spread a layer of ganache on top. Place the second cake layer over it. Use the remaining ganache to frost the top and sides of the cake. Smooth with an offset spatula for a polished finish or create swirls for a rustic look.

Note: Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature before starting. This ensures a smoother batter and better texture. For a deeper chocolate flavor in the ganache, you can use dark chocolate instead of semisweet.

Nutrition Facts Vanilla Cake With Chocolate Ganache

Nutrition	Amounts
Calories	520
Fat	30g
Saturated Fat	18g
Carbohydrates	58g
Sugar	42g
Protein	6g
Fiber	2g
Sodium	220mg

Why This Recipe Is A Must-Try?

This Vanilla Cake with Chocolate Ganache recipe is a must-try because it brings together the classic comfort of a soft, fluffy vanilla sponge and the richness of real chocolate ganache in every slice.

The Vanilla Cake With Chocolate Ganache is incredibly moist, thanks to the careful balance of ingredients and method, while the ganache adds a deep, smooth layer that melts as you eat.

It’s a bakery-style dessert you can make at home without complicated steps. Inspired by timeless flavors and homemade charm, this recipe is the kind that becomes a favorite something you’ll want to bake again and again.

Why My Recipe Works

My Vanilla Cake With Chocolate Ganache works because it uses simple, reliable techniques that create a tender, moist vanilla cake with a rich, smooth chocolate ganache.

Using room temperature ingredients ensures everything blends evenly, preventing a dense texture. The careful balance of baking powder helps the cake rise perfectly without collapsing.

For the ganache, warming the cream before mixing it with chopped chocolate allows for a glossy, silky finish that enhances both flavor and texture.

These thoughtful steps come together to make a consistently delicious cake every time, no matter your baking experience.

How To Decorate And Serve

To decorate this Vanilla Cake with Chocolate Ganache, start by smoothing the ganache evenly over the top and sides using an offset spatula or butter knife for a clean finish.

For extra flair, you can pipe small ganache rosettes around the edges or sprinkle chopped nuts, chocolate shavings, or fresh berries on top. Serving is best after the ganache has set slightly, so the frosting holds its shape.

Cut the cake into generous slices with a sharp knife, wiping the blade clean between cuts for neat pieces. This Vanilla Cake With Chocolate Ganache pairs wonderfully with a cup of coffee or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Expert Tips And Tricks

1. Before you start, make sure your butter, eggs, and milk are all at room temperature. This helps everything mix together smoothly and keeps your cake from turning out dense.

2. Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together. This gets rid of lumps and spreads the ingredients evenly through the batter.

3. When you cream the butter and sugar, beat them until the mixture looks pale and fluffy. That traps air which makes the cake nice and light.

4. Add the dry ingredients little by little, alternating with the milk. Mix gently so you don’t overwork the batter.

5. For the ganache, use good quality semisweet chocolate. It really changes the flavor for the better.

6. Let the ganache cool a bit before you spread it so it’s thick enough to coat the cake without dripping everywhere.

7. Make sure the cake layers are completely cool before frosting. If they’re warm, the ganache could melt or slide right off.

Variations For A Unique Twist

✔ Chocolate Olive Oil Cake: Substituting butter with extra-virgin olive oil results in a moist cake with a subtle fruity flavor. The olive oil also ensures the cake stays fresh longer, and adding instant espresso powder enhances the chocolate flavor.

✔ Hazelnut Chocolate Ganache: Incorporating ground hazelnuts into the ganache creates a rich, nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the chocolate, adding a luxurious texture and taste.

✔ Salted Caramel Swirl: Drizzling salted caramel sauce over the ganache before it sets creates a sweet and salty contrast, enhancing the overall flavor and adding visual appeal.

✔ Red Velvet Cake Base: Using a red velvet cake recipe as the base instead of vanilla introduces a vibrant color and a hint of cocoa flavor, complemented by the chocolate ganache.

✔ Lemon Infused Ganache: Adding a teaspoon of lemon juice and zest to the ganache imparts a zesty twist, brightening the rich chocolate flavor and adding a refreshing contrast.

Additions For More Delicious

➤ Chocolate Chips or Chunks: Incorporating mini chocolate chips or chopped chocolate into the batter introduces delightful pockets of melted chocolate, enhancing each bite with bursts of rich flavor.

➤ Fresh Berries: Layering fresh raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries between the cake layers or as a topping adds a burst of freshness and color, balancing the richness of the ganache.

➤ Nuts: Adding chopped walnuts, hazelnuts, or almonds to the batter or sprinkling them on top provides a delightful crunch and nutty flavor that complements the smooth ganache.

➤ Citrus Zest: Incorporating a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest into the batter imparts a subtle citrus aroma, brightening the overall flavor profile and adding a refreshing twist.

➤ Spices: Mixing in a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the batter introduces a warm, aromatic depth, enhancing the vanilla flavor and adding complexity to the cake.

Storage & Make Ahead

This Vanilla Cake with Chocolate Ganache keeps well when stored properly. Wrap the cake tightly with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out.

Keep it refrigerated if your kitchen is warm, especially because of the ganache. Before serving, let the cake come to room temperature for the best flavor and texture.

You can also make the cake layers and ganache a day or two ahead store the layers wrapped and the ganache chilled separately, then assemble just before serving. This makes Vanilla Cake With Chocolate Ganache easy to prepare in advance without losing freshness.

Conclusion

This Vanilla Cake with Chocolate Ganache has been a delicious success every time I’ve made it. It’s easy to follow and always a crowd-pleaser when I serve it to family and friends.

Now, I’m sharing my recipe so everyone can enjoy this treat at home. Baking this Vanilla Cake With Chocolate Ganache brings so much joy, and I hope it inspires you to try making it yourself.

There’s nothing better than sharing a homemade dessert that everyone loves. I can’t wait for you to give Vanilla Cake With Chocolate Ganache a try and enjoy every bite!

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