Single Layer Chocolate Cake

• servings: 8 servings
• active time: 20 minutes
• total time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour

½ cup granulated sugar

⅓ cup brown sugar

5 tablespoons cocoa powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

¼ cup oil

1 large egg (room temperature)

½ cup buttermilk (room temperature)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

⅓ cup hot water or coffee

¾ cup semi sweet chocolate chips (room temperature)

½ cup heavy cream

½ cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 tablespoons butter

flaked salt for topping

Directions

To make the cake:

oven

Preheat the oven to 325 F. Spray an 8 inch round or square cake pan with non-stick cooking spray, and then line the bottom of the pan with parchment.

dry ingredients

In a large bowl, sift or stir together flour, both sugars, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

mixing together

In a mixing bowl, beat oil, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla together until completely mixed. About 1 minute. Slowly add dry ingredients into wet ingredients while mixing. Pour in hot water/coffee and mix together another minute. It's ok if the batter seems extra liquidy.

bake

Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for about 28-33 minutes. When toothpick placed in the center of the cakes comes out clean, you know it is done. If doing cupcakes you will bake in 12 cupcake liners for about 18-22 minutes. While the cake is baking make the ganache.

cool

Let the cake completely cool before taking out of the pans and frosting.

To make the chocolate ganache

ganache

Place chocolate chips in a medium bowl. Heat whipping cream and powdered sugar until barely starting to boil and then pour over chocolate chips. Add in vanilla and butter and mix until smooth. Allow to sit for about 20 minutes until starting to thicken.

firm up

Cover the ganache and place in the fridge for about 20-30 more minutes to firm up.

frost cake

Top cake with chocolate ganache frosting and a sprinkle of flaked salt or some chocolate shavings.

Nutrition

• Calories: 433 kcal
• Total Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg
• Sodium: 297 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 53 g
• Dietary Fiber: 3 g
• Total Sugars: 36 g
• Protein: 5 g