Decadent Layered Chocolate Cake with Creamy Filling & Ganache Topping

Enhances chocolate — doesn’t taste like coffee

Baking soda dissolved in brewed coffee

½ cup

Leavening + flavor booster

Sweetened brewed coffee

1 cup

Warm, not boiling

Unsalted butter, softened

1 tbsp

For richness

Vegetable oil

½ tbsp

Keeps cake moist

Large eggs, room temperature

For lift and structure

Vanilla extract

2 tsp

Pure for best flavor

Hot water

1 tbsp

Helps bloom cocoa and create tender crumb

Note: This recipe uses a small-batch, high-intensity method — perfect for two 9-inch layers with deep flavor.

For the Cream Filling:Chocolate cream

Heavy cream

½ cup

Cold, for whipping

Powdered sugar

½ tsp

Sweetens without graininessChocolate cream

Cream cheese, softened

8 oz

Full-fat, room temperature

Vanilla extract