Indulge in Pure Decadence: The Ultimate Belgian Chocolate Cake Delight

 

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 1 ¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour
• 1 ¾ cups (350g) granulated sugar
• ¾ cup (65g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup (240ml) whole milk
• ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup (240ml) boiling water

For the Chocolate Ganache:

• 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
• 8 ounces (225g) Belgian dark chocolate, chopped
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

For Garnish (Optional):

• Chocolate shavings
• Fresh berries

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven:

   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper.

2. Prepare the Cake Batter:

   • In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
   • Add the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes until smooth.
   • Stir in the boiling water. The batter will be thin, but that’s okay.

3. Bake the Cake:

   • Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
   • Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
   • Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
     
     
     

4. Prepare the Chocolate Ganache:

   • Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it begins to simmer.
   • Place the chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and let it sit for about 5 minutes.
   • Stir until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Add the butter and stir until fully incorporated.
   • Let the ganache cool slightly to thicken before using.

5. Assemble the Cake:

   • Once the cakes are completely cooled, spread a layer of ganache on top of one of the cakes.
   • Place the second cake on top and spread the remaining ganache over the top and sides of the cake.
   • Garnish with chocolate shavings or fresh berries if desired.

6. Serve:

   • Let the cake set for about 30 minutes before slicing. Enjoy!

Nutrition Chart (Per Serving)

Note: The following values are approximate and can vary based on specific ingredient brands and portion sizes.

Nutrient	Amount per Serving
Calories	450
Total Fat	24g
Saturated Fat	14g
Trans Fat	0.5g
Cholesterol	70mg
Sodium	230mg
Total Carbohydrates	60g
Dietary Fiber	4g
Sugars	45g
Protein	6g

Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of the cake)

Enjoy your Belgian Chocolate Cake! If you have any dietary restrictions or need substitutions, let me know, and I can adjust the recipe accordingly.