Ingredients
- 200g (1 ½ cups) all-purpose flour
- 75g (⅔ cup) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 250g (1 ¼ cups) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 240ml (1 cup) buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp vinegar)
- 120ml (½ cup) vegetable oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 240ml (1 cup) hot coffee or hot water
- 450g (16 oz) cream cheese, room temperature
- 100g (½ cup) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 120ml (½ cup) sour cream or plain yogurt
- 300g (10 oz) dark chocolate, chopped
- 240ml (1 cup) heavy cream
- 2 tbsp butter (optional, for shine)
- Optional: Chocolate shavings or curls, Cocoa powder or powdered sugar, Berries or edible gold leaf
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 160°C (320°F). Line and grease an 8-inch springform pan.
- Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla, flour, and sour cream. Pour into pan and bake 40–45 minutes until set with a slight jiggle. Cool at room temp, then chill for at least 3 hours or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and line two or three 8-inch cake pans.
- Mix flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. In another bowl, whisk sugar, eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients, then stir in hot coffee or water until smooth. Divide batter between pans and bake 25–30 minutes. Let cool completely.
- Heat cream until simmering and pour over chopped chocolate. Let sit, stir until smooth, and add butter if using. Let ganache cool until spreadable.
- Place one chocolate cake layer on a plate. Spread ganache, add the chilled cheesecake layer, top with another cake layer.
- Frost the cake with ganache, smoothing or texturing as desired.
- Decorate with chocolate curls, powdered sugar, or berries. Chill at least 1 hour before slicing.
Notes
- Add espresso powder to intensify chocolate flavor.
- Layer raspberry jam for a fruity twist.
- Chopped nuts can add texture.
- Store in fridge up to 5 days or freeze slices for 2 months.
- Best sliced with a hot, clean knife.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 40g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
