Chocolate Pound Cake with Ganache
Chocolate Pound Cake with Ganache is a rich and moist dessert featuring a dense, buttery chocolate cake topped with a silky smooth ganache glaze. Perfect for any occasion, this indulgent treat combines deep cocoa flavor with creamy chocolate ganache, making every bite a luxurious experience that’s simple to prepare and versatile to customize.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 1 loaf cake (about 8-10 servings) 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Cake Ingredients
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 3/4 cups (220g) all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup (75g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Ganache Ingredients
- 3/4 cup (180ml) heavy cream, at room temperature
- 6 ounces (170g) semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Prepare Your Ingredients and Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a loaf pan. Gather all ingredients, allowing butter, eggs, and cream to come to room temperature for best mixing results.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: Cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, creating a smooth and cohesive batter base.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution and a lump-free mixture.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients. Be gentle and avoid overmixing to maintain a tender and dense crumb.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the surface. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool completely.
- Prepare the Ganache: While the cake cools, gently heat the heavy cream until simmering. Pour the hot cream over chopped semi-sweet chocolate. Let it sit for a minute, then stir until smooth, glossy, and well combined. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Pour Ganache Over the Cake: Once the cake is fully cooled, pour the ganache evenly over the top, allowing it to drip slightly down the sides for an elegant finish. Let the ganache set before serving.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients (butter, eggs, cream) for better mixing and texture.
- Fold dry ingredients gently to avoid a tough cake crumb.
- Check cake doneness starting at 50 minutes with a toothpick for perfect moisture.
- Choose high-quality chocolate for the ganache to enhance richness.
- Allow cake to cool completely before pouring ganache for a smooth finish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/10 of cake)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: chocolate pound cake, ganache, chocolate cake, dessert, rich chocolate, butter cake, homemade cake