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Decadent Jack Daniels Chocolate Layer Cake with Whiskey Ganache

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A rich and moist chocolate layer cake infused with Jack Daniels whiskey, topped with a silky whiskey ganache. Perfect for impressing guests or indulging in a cozy night treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour (280 g)
  • 2 cups granulated sugar (400 g)
  • ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (75 g) – preferably Valrhona or Ghirardelli
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup buttermilk (240 ml), room temperature (or 1 cup milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice as substitute)
  • ½ cup vegetable oil (120 ml), neutral oil like canola
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup hot water (240 ml)
  • ¼ cup Jack Daniels whiskey (60 ml)
  • For the Whiskey Ganache:
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
  • 10 ounces bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate chips (280 g)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons Jack Daniels whiskey (30 ml)
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease two 9-inch round cake pans and dust with flour or cocoa powder.
  2. In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Whisk to combine.
  3. In a separate bowl, beat eggs lightly. Add buttermilk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and Jack Daniels whiskey. Mix until smooth.
  4. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined; do not overmix.
  5. Slowly add hot water while stirring gently until batter is smooth and glossy.
  6. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans. Tap pans to release air bubbles.
  7. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out with moist crumbs but no wet batter. Cake should spring back when touched.
  8. Cool cakes in pans for 15 minutes, then invert onto wire racks to cool completely.
  9. To make ganache, heat heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat until it barely simmers.
  10. Pour hot cream over chocolate chips in a heat-safe bowl. Let sit 2 minutes, then whisk until smooth and shiny.
  11. Stir in softened butter, Jack Daniels whiskey, and a pinch of salt. Let cool to spreadable consistency.
  12. Place one cake layer on serving plate. Spread a generous layer of ganache.
  13. Top with second cake layer and frost top and sides with remaining ganache.
  14. Chill briefly if ganache is too soft before serving.

Notes

Use good quality cocoa powder and real Jack Daniels whiskey for best flavor. Avoid Dutch-processed cocoa. If ganache is too runny, chill for 10 minutes and whisk again before spreading. Spoon and level flour for accurate measurement to avoid dryness. Bring eggs and buttermilk to room temperature before mixing. Use a serrated knife warmed under hot water for clean slices.

Nutrition

Keywords: chocolate cake, Jack Daniels, whiskey ganache, layered cake, boozy dessert, easy chocolate cake, party dessert

Find it online: https://evabake.com/decadent-jack-daniels-chocolate-layer-cake-recipe-with-whiskey-ganache-easy-step-by-step-guide/