Chocolate Ganache Cake

By TrayH

Although this cake looks very elegant and like something you'd only serve at special occasions, it's really, really easy. As one of our Test Kitchen Professionals put it, “It's the easiest cake you could ever make.”

Ingredients

• For the Cake:
• 2 ounces 53% cacao dark baking chocolate, coarsely chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3/4 cup boiling water
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon orange extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• For the GANACHE:
• 1/4 cup half-and-half cream
• 3 ounces 53% cacao dark baking chocolate, coarsely chopped

Details

Adapted from tasteofhome.com

Preparation

Step 1

For the Cake:

* Place chocolate and butter in a large bowl; add boiling water and stir until smooth.

* Stir in the sugar, buttermilk, egg and extracts.

* Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; beat into chocolate mixture just until blended.

* Transfer to a 9-in. round baking pan coated with cooking spray.

* Bake at 350° for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

* Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.

* Place rack on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet.

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For ganache:

* Place chocolate in a small bowl.

* In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil.

* Pour over chocolate; whisk until smooth.

* Cool for 10 minutes or until slightly thickened.

* Slowly pour ganache over cake, allowing some ganache to drape over the sides.

* Refrigerate until serving. Cut into wedges.

* Yield: 12 servings.