Chocolate ganache cake with cherry mousse

Black Chocolate Ganache and Cherry Mousse Cake

This black chocolate ganache and cherry mousse cake is not just a dessert, but a true culinary masterpiece, perfect for special occasions or simply to pamper your guests. Its fine texture and delicious flavors of chocolate and cherries make it an irresistible dessert, with each bite being an explosion of flavor. I will guide you step by step in preparing this cake, providing useful tips and information about the ingredients, as well as variations you can try.

Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Baking Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour and 30 minutes (plus cooling time)
Servings: 12

Ingredients

For the sponge:
- 9 eggs
- 12 tablespoons of sugar
- 12 tablespoons of flour
- 1 packet of baking powder
- 1 vial of vanilla essence

For the black chocolate ganache:
- 200 g dark chocolate
- 200 ml heavy cream (Hulala)
- 50 g butter

For the cherry mousse:
- 250 g cherries in syrup
- 100 ml cherry syrup
- 1 packet of gelatin (10 g)
- 4 tablespoons of whipped cream (~150 ml, Hulala)

For the glaze:
- 150 g dark chocolate
- 100 ml heavy cream (Hulala)
- 50 g butter

Decoration:
- 60 g white chocolate (for hearts)
- Colored sprinkles

For the cherry syrup:
- 250 ml cherry syrup

Step by Step

1. Preparing the sponge

Preheat the oven to 180°C. Start by separating the eggs: place the egg whites in a large bowl and reserve the yolks in another bowl. Beat the egg whites with the sugar until you obtain a stiff, glossy foam. It is important to use a quality mixer to achieve the best texture.

In another bowl, whisk the yolks with the oil and vanilla essence until creamy. Then, carefully add them to the egg whites, gently folding with a spatula to avoid losing air in the mixture.

Sift the flour together with the baking powder and gradually incorporate them into the egg mixture, mixing gently from top to bottom. This step is crucial for keeping the sponge fluffy.

Pour the mixture into a cake pan (26 cm) lined with parchment paper or greased with oil and dusted with flour. Bake for 25-30 minutes, doing the toothpick test. Once the sponge has cooled, cut it into three equal discs.

2. Preparing the black chocolate ganache

In a small saucepan, add 200 ml of liquid cream and 50 g of butter. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture close to a boil. When it starts to boil, add the broken dark chocolate pieces. Stir continuously until the chocolate completely melts and combines with the cream.

Allow the ganache to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least an hour. Once cooled, beat it at low speed, then gradually increase the speed until you achieve a smooth and fluffy cream.

3. Preparing the cherry mousse

In a bowl, hydrate the gelatin with 3-4 tablespoons of water, letting it sit for a few minutes. While the gelatin hydrates, use a blender to puree the cherries along with the syrup. Place the resulting puree in a saucepan over low heat, being careful not to let it boil. When it is close to boiling, add the hydrated gelatin, stirring well to dissolve completely. Allow to cool.

Once the puree has cooled, gently fold it into the whipped cream. This combination will add a fresh and fruity note to your cake.

4. Assembling the cake

On a round platter, place the first sponge layer, soaking it with cherry syrup for added moisture and flavor. Spread a generous layer of black chocolate ganache, then place the second sponge layer on top.

On this layer, add the cherry mousse. Remember to reserve 2 tablespoons of this mousse to cover the cake. Follow with the third sponge layer, which you cover with a thin layer of mousse.

For the glaze, in the saucepan you used earlier, place the cream and butter over medium heat. When the mixture is close to boiling, add the dark chocolate and stir until melted. Allow to cool slightly and then pour over the cake, smoothing with a spatula.

Refrigerate the cake to set the glaze. Once set, decorate the cake with white chocolate hearts and colored sprinkles for a festive appearance.

5. Serving

When you are ready to serve, cut the cake into slices and enjoy alongside a glass of sparkling wine or a cup of aromatic coffee. This cake is popular due to its combination of intense chocolate and juicy cherries, and serving it with a fine drink will add a touch of elegance.

Nutritional Information

Each slice of cake offers approximately 350 calories, making it a delicious choice for special occasions. The cake is rich in antioxidants due to the dark chocolate and cherries, and the combination of ingredients provides both carbohydrates and healthy fats.

Possible Variations

For a less sweet version, you can replace dark chocolate with milk chocolate, and cherries can be substituted with other berries such as raspberries or blackberries. Additionally, the cake can be assembled with layers of mascarpone cream or enriched with ground nuts for added texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

- How long does the cake keep? The cake keeps well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. It is even tastier the next day when the flavors have melded.
- Can I use white chocolate? Yes, white chocolate can be used for both the glaze and decoration, but it will slightly change the overall flavor of the cake.
- Is gelatin necessary in the mousse? Gelatin provides stability to the mousse, but if you prefer a gelatin-free version, you can use additional whipped cream to achieve a fluffy texture.

This black chocolate ganache and cherry mousse cake is not just a dessert, but a cooking experience that will bring you joy and satisfaction. Try it and you will discover how easy it is to create a spectacular dessert without requiring advanced pastry skills!