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Decadent Chocolate Stout Layer Cake with Whiskey Ganache

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A rich, moist chocolate cake infused with stout beer and topped with a silky whiskey ganache, perfect for impressing guests and special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup (75 g) unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240 ml) stout beer (e.g., Guinness)
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) buttermilk
  • 12 oz (340 g) bittersweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate (60-70% cocoa)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons whiskey (bourbon or rye)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • Powdered sugar (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter and flour two 8-inch cake pans or line them with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In another bowl, beat the softened butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
  4. Beat in the eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. Stir in vanilla extract.
  5. Alternately add the dry ingredients and stout beer to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix gently after each addition.
  6. Fold in the buttermilk slowly until the batter is smooth and thick but pourable.
  7. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  8. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn out onto wire racks to cool completely.
  9. To prepare the whiskey ganache, heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan until just simmering. Pour over the bittersweet chocolate and let sit for 2 minutes, then whisk until smooth.
  10. Stir in whiskey and softened butter until the ganache is glossy.
  11. Place one cake layer on a serving plate and spread a generous layer of ganache on top. Add the second cake layer and cover the entire cake with the remaining ganache.
  12. Chill the cake for about 30 minutes to set the ganache before serving.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for better texture. Do not overmix batter to avoid dense cake. Choose a stout beer you enjoy drinking for best flavor. Heat cream just until simmering for ganache to avoid seizing. Chill cake layers before frosting to prevent ganache from sliding. Microwave ganache briefly if it becomes too thick while spreading.

Nutrition

Keywords: chocolate cake, stout cake, whiskey ganache, layered cake, rich chocolate dessert, easy chocolate cake, stout beer dessert

Find it online: https://emmayum.com/decadent-chocolate-stout-layer-cake-with-whiskey-ganache-easy-recipe-for-impressing-guests/