This Raspberry Chocolate Ganache Cake is a decadent dessert featuring moist chocolate cake layers filled with raspberry preserves, frosted with a creamy raspberry cream cheese frosting, and finished with a rich chocolate ganache drip. Perfect for celebrations, this cake combines the sweetness of raspberries with the richness of chocolate for a show-stopping dessert.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
For the Chocolate Cake:
- 2 cups hot water (472 mL)
- 1 1/2 cups + 2 tbsp unsweetened natural cocoa powder (157 g, not Dutch process)
- 3 cups cake flour, spooned and leveled (330 g)
- 2 1/4 cups light brown sugar, packed (488 g)
- 1 cup granulated sugar (206 g)
- 3 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 2 tsp espresso powder
- 1 1/2 cups full-fat sour cream, room temperature (360 g)
- 1/4 cup milk (60 mL)
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (106 mL)
- 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
For the Raspberry Frosting:
- 1 3/4 cups salted butter, softened (396 g)
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp milk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup + 2 tbsp freeze-dried raspberries, pulsed to a powder (about 1.25 oz bag)
- 2 tbsp raspberry preserves
- 6 oz full-fat cream cheese
For the Filling:
- 2/3 cup raspberry preserves
For the Chocolate Ganache Drip:
- 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (4 oz)
- 1-2 tsp vegetable oil
For Decorating:
- Fresh raspberries
- Mini chocolate chips
Directions
- Prep the Cake Pans: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three 9-inch cake pans, line with parchment paper, and dust with flour.
- Make the Cake Batter: Whisk cocoa powder into hot water until dissolved and let cool. In a large bowl, whisk together dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients, including the cooled cocoa mixture, and mix until combined.
- Bake the Cakes: Divide batter evenly between pans. Bake for 23-27 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs. Let cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare the Frosting: Beat butter until creamy. Gradually mix in powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and salt. Add freeze-dried raspberry powder and raspberry preserves. Beat in cream cheese last, mixing until smooth.
- Assemble the Cake: Place the first cake layer on a turntable. Frost the top and pipe a border around the edge. Spread 1/3 cup raspberry preserves in the center. Repeat with the second layer. Place the third layer upside down for a flat top. Apply a thin crumb coat of frosting and chill for 30 minutes. Finish frosting the cake and smooth with an offset spatula.
- Add the Ganache Drip: Heat heavy cream until simmering, then pour over chopped chocolate. Let sit for 4 minutes, then stir until smooth. Add oil for consistency. Pour ganache onto the center of the cake and spread to the edges for drips. Chill for 20-30 minutes.
- Decorate: Pipe swirls with leftover frosting, top with fresh raspberries and mini chocolate chips, and serve.
Nutrients
- Serving: 1 slice
- Calories: 1239 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 177 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Fat: 58 g
- Saturated Fat: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 177 mg
- Sodium: 793 mg
- Potassium: 697 mg
- Fiber: 8 g
- Sugar: 136 g
- Vitamin A: 1448 IU
- Vitamin C: 243 mg
- Calcium: 173 mg
- Iron: 8 mg
A rich and indulgent dessert, this Raspberry Chocolate Ganache Cake is perfect for special occasions and celebrations!
Why Chocolate and Raspberry Are a Match Made in Heaven
The combination of chocolate and raspberry has long been a favorite pairing in the culinary world. Chocolate, with its rich, velvety sweetness, is beautifully balanced by the bright, tangy notes of raspberries. The natural acidity of raspberries cuts through the richness of the chocolate, creating a harmony that tantalizes the taste buds.
This cake takes full advantage of this pairing, with raspberry preserves adding a fruity depth to the chocolate layers and freeze-dried raspberries giving the frosting an intense burst of raspberry flavor. Each bite is a perfect balance of sweetness, tartness, and decadence.
Moist Chocolate Cake Layers
The base of this cake is its incredibly moist and rich chocolate cake layers. The recipe uses a combination of hot water, cocoa powder, and espresso powder to amplify the chocolate flavor, creating a deep and intense taste that chocolate lovers will adore. The inclusion of sour cream and vegetable oil ensures the cake remains tender and moist, while cake flour gives it a delicate, fine crumb.
One of the standout features of this cake is how the chocolate layers hold their structure while staying soft and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. This balance makes it the perfect foundation for the frosting, preserves, and ganache.
The Role of Raspberry Preserves
Raspberry preserves play a crucial role in this recipe, adding bursts of fruity sweetness to each layer of the cake. By spreading the preserves between the layers and incorporating them into the frosting, the cake achieves a layered flavor profile that keeps each bite exciting. The preserves also add moisture to the cake, enhancing its overall texture.
Using high-quality raspberry preserves is key to achieving the best results. The natural fruitiness of the preserves ensures the raspberry flavor shines through, complementing the chocolate and tying the entire cake together.
Raspberry Cream Cheese Frosting: A Tangy and Sweet Delight
The frosting is one of the highlights of this cake, combining the tanginess of cream cheese with the bold flavor of freeze-dried raspberries. Freeze-dried raspberries are pulverized into a fine powder, giving the frosting a vibrant color and intense raspberry flavor without adding excess moisture.
The addition of powdered sugar, butter, and a touch of milk creates a smooth, creamy texture that’s easy to spread and pipe. This frosting not only tastes amazing but also gives the cake a visually striking appearance with its soft pink hue.
The tanginess of the cream cheese and raspberries balances the sweetness of the cake, ensuring the dessert doesn’t feel overly rich or cloying. It’s the perfect complement to the decadent chocolate layers and ganache.
The Ganache Drip: A Decadent Finish
The chocolate ganache drip is the crowning touch of this cake, adding a glossy and indulgent finish. Made with semi-sweet chocolate and heavy cream, the ganache is smooth, rich, and perfectly balanced in sweetness. A small amount of vegetable oil is added for a silky texture and to ensure the drips flow beautifully down the sides of the cake.
Applying the ganache drip is not only fun but also transforms the cake into a show-stopping centerpiece. The glossy chocolate contrasts beautifully with the pink frosting, creating a dessert that’s as visually stunning as it is delicious.
Decorative Elements
The decoration of this Raspberry Chocolate Ganache Cake takes it to the next level. Fresh raspberries add a pop of color and a fresh, juicy texture that complements the cake’s other elements. Mini chocolate chips provide a playful, crunchy touch, while piped swirls of leftover frosting add elegance and flair.
You can customize the decorations to suit the occasion. For example, add edible flowers for a springtime feel or sprinkle gold dust for a luxurious celebration. The possibilities are endless, allowing you to make the cake uniquely yours.
Perfect for Celebrations
This cake is designed to be the centerpiece of any celebration. Its rich flavors, stunning appearance, and indulgent nature make it ideal for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, or any occasion that calls for something special. The combination of chocolate and raspberry feels sophisticated and festive, making this cake a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Despite its impressive appearance, the cake is approachable to make, thanks to its clear steps and accessible ingredients. Even home bakers with limited experience can achieve a professional-looking result by following the recipe carefully.
A Balance of Flavor and Texture
What makes this cake truly exceptional is its balance of flavor and texture. Each element contributes something unique:
- Chocolate Cake: Rich, moist, and slightly dense, the cake layers provide a robust foundation.
- Raspberry Preserves: Bright and fruity, the preserves add contrast and enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Raspberry Frosting: Creamy and tangy, the frosting ties the cake together with its bold raspberry flavor.
- Chocolate Ganache: Smooth and decadent, the ganache adds an indulgent finish.
- Fresh Raspberries and Chocolate Chips: These decorative elements add freshness and crunch, ensuring every bite is multi-dimensional.
Customizing the Recipe
This recipe is highly versatile, allowing you to adapt it to suit your preferences or dietary needs:
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a gluten-free cake flour blend to make the cake gluten-free.
- Dairy-Free Adaptation: Substitute the cream cheese, butter, and heavy cream with dairy-free alternatives.
- Flavor Variations: Try using strawberry preserves or blackberry preserves for a different fruit flavor.
- Single-Layer Cake: Simplify the recipe by making a single-layer cake with frosting and ganache on top for a more casual dessert.
Conclusion
Raspberry Chocolate Ganache Cake is a dessert that truly has it all—rich chocolate, tangy raspberries, creamy frosting, and an elegant ganache finish. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply treating yourself to something extraordinary, this cake is sure to impress.