EASY CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE GANACHE
A delicious and easy chocolate cake with a deep chocolate flavor and covered in rich ganache
How did I not already have a chocolate cake in my collection?! I make them so frequently, but none are ever exactly the same. I have lost some really good recipes that way!
However, I am doing things differently with this recipe. I have committed to writing it down. Seems simple enough, but I have been in such a habit of NOT measuring, that it almost feels more difficult to be organized… ? Hmm.
I was inspired to make a chocolate cake because I noticed a jar of mayonnaise in the fridge. That sounds like a disgusting connection to make, I know… But a cake that my mom has always made for my siblings and I for birthdays has been a chocolate layer cake made with Hellman’s mayonnaise (I think the recipe used to be on the back of the jar). And our mom still makes it for us on birthdays, even as adults. Basically, it uses mayonnaise in place of all or most of the butter/oil that would usually be in a cake recipe. She frosts it with a chocolate buttercream frosting. And it is probably the best chocolate cake I have ever had.
But I wanted to replicate my own recipe. Even though I used mayo, I still included some butter. Why not. Hellman’s is the mayonnaise I would recommend, as it seems to have the richest flavor. And it’s gotta be full-fat mayo! Not any of the light varieties. Otherwise, just use any brand you like. BUT make sure to look at the ingredients, because some of the mayonnaise lists “paprika” as an ingredient, and…. you don’t want that.
Something else I like to do is use coffee in chocolate recipes, because it really accentuates the chocolate flavor.
I wanted to make this cake extra easy, so I used a 13×9 inch pan instead of making layers. Also, I wanted to make an easy frosting that I could just pour on the cake while it’s still warm. I like having an easy go-to recipe when I am in a hurry.
You can just pour the frosting on while the cake is warm, but let it cool completely before cutting into it, or else it will be a big ol’ mess! OR, you can just wait until the cake is cooled and frost it as well. Whatever you like. Enjoy!
Recipe:
Please show support by using our affiliate links to fill your pantry. You get charged NOTHING extra and we are rewarded with a tiny commission. A truly rare WIN-WIN.
THANK YOU for your consideration and support! -Happy Cookie Belly
Ingredients Section:
CAKE
- 1 3/4 cups cake flour
- 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened
- 1 2/3 cups sugar
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup warm coffee
CHOCOLATE GANACHE
- 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3/4 cup half & half
Directions:
CAKE
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Spray a 13×9 inch pan with nonstick spray.
- Stir together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
- Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Beat in vanilla, followed by mayonnaise.
- Alternately stir in one-third of the flour mixture, followed by half of the coffee.
- Again stir in the second third of dry ingredients, followed by the remaining coffee, then the remaining flour mixture.
- Pour into the baking pan.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Begin preparing ganache.
CHOCOLATE GANACHE
- Microwave chips and half & half in 30 second intervals, stirring thoroughly between each, until the mixture is smooth.
- Immediately pour the hot frosting onto the warm cake.
- Cool the frosted cake completely prior to cutting into it (place the pan in refrigerator to speed up cooling time)
Notes about this recipe:
- Hellman’s mayonnaise is my favorite to use. But any other full-fat mayo should work fine, just make sure to check the ingredients in case they’ve included any weird spices (like paprika). Avoid using any with the weird ingredients.
- Any coffee is fine. I used one packet of Folger’s Instant Coffee.
