Chocolate Pound Cake

Everyone should have a rich Chocolate Pound Cake in their recipe file, preferably right up front --- this dark chocolate loaf cake is topped with a creamy chocolate ganache.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 Tbsp espresso powder

wet ingredients

• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup milk

dry ingredients

• 1 cup plus 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• ganache topping
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 6 ounces dark chocolate chips (or chopped chocolate)

Instructions

• Set oven to 325F
• Spray a standard 9x5 loaf pan and line it with a sheet of parchment paper, leaving the ends to hang long. This way you can lift the frosted cake out for cleaner cutting.
• Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then the vanilla and espresso powder.
• Whisk together the sour cream and milk.
• Sift together the dry ingredients.
• Add the dry ingredients to the bowl alternately with the wet, beginning and ending with dry. Blend only until mixed, don't over beat.
• Turn the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread out evenly. Bake for about 45-50 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out without wet batter clinging to it. Check your cake on the early side to avoid over-cooking. Set aside to cool.
• To make the ganache topping, heat the cream to a simmer and remove from heat. Add the chocolate and let sit for a minute, then stir until everything is melted and glossy. Pour over the cooled cake and then let the ganache firm up in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
• If you have used a parchment paper 'sling', gently pull the cake out of the pan to slice it.

See full instruction on : theviewfromgreatisland.com