Chocolate Fudge Cake with Ganache and Pecans

If you’re dreaming of a dessert that’s rich, indulgent, and utterly irresistible, the Chocolate Fudge Cake with Ganache and Pecans is your perfect match. Moist, velvety chocolate cake, drenched in a silky ganache and crowned with crunchy toasted pecans — it’s every chocolate lover’s fantasy baked into one simple, show-stopping treat.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe is more than just a cake — it’s an experience. Here’s what makes it a must-bake:

Foolproof batter that yields ultra-moist layers
Deep chocolate flavor enhanced by coffee or hot water
Luscious ganache topping that sets to glossy perfection
Toasted pecans for a sweet and salty crunch

Perfect for birthdays, potlucks, or those “just because” chocolate cravings, this cake has all the decadence of a bakery dessert with the ease of a homemade recipe.

The Secret to an Extra Moist Chocolate Cake

The key to this fudge cake’s incredibly soft crumb lies in a combination of buttermilk, oil, and hot liquid. The acid in buttermilk tenderizes the cake, while oil ensures a moist, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Using hot coffee instead of water helps enhance the cocoa flavor — a trick many pros swear by. Serious Eats explains how coffee intensifies chocolate beautifully.

And while some chocolate cakes use butter, this version skips it in favor of oil to keep things ultra-soft — even days after baking.

What Is Ganache, and Why Is It Perfect?

Ganache is a mixture of chocolate and cream that’s velvety smooth and pours like a dream. Once cooled, it thickens into a glossy, spreadable topping with a satisfying richness. Some versions, like this one, also include a touch of butter for an even shinier finish. Learn more about ganache science from The Kitchn.

Topping the ganache with chopped pecans adds the perfect contrast — slightly salty, nutty, and crisp.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Cake:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 egg
½ cup buttermilk
½ cup vegetable oil
½ cup hot water or coffee
1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Ganache:

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (or chopped chocolate)
½ cup heavy cream
1 tbsp butter (optional for shine)

the Topping:

¼–½ cup chopped pecans (toasted for extra flavor)

‍ How to Make Chocolate Fudge Cake with Ganache and Pecans

1. Mix the Batter

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease and flour an 8×8-inch pan.
In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Add egg, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla extract. Mix until combined.
Stir in hot water or coffee until batter is smooth.

Tip: Batter will be thin — that’s what gives the cake its fudgy texture!

2. Bake the Cake

Pour batter into prepared pan.
Bake for 28–32 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

3. Prepare the Ganache

Heat heavy cream until just simmering.
Pour over chocolate chips in a bowl. Let sit for 1–2 minutes.
Stir until smooth. Add butter for a glossy finish.

4. Assemble

Pour ganache over the cooled cake and spread evenly.
Sprinkle with chopped pecans.
Chill for 30 minutes or until ganache sets.

Tips & Tricks

Toast your pecans for added crunch and depth of flavor — just 5–7 minutes in a dry skillet or 350°F oven.
Don’t overbake. The fudgier the better!
Let the ganache set slightly before serving for cleaner slices.
Want extra indulgence? Add a layer of chocolate chips or a peanut butter swirl inside the cake.

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