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Laughing Spatula / Recipe Index / Cake Recipes / Double Chocolate Whiskey Cake with Whiskey Ganache

Double Chocolate Whiskey Cake with Whiskey Ganache

By Kathi & Rachel

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Double Chocolate Whiskey Cake with Whiskey Ganache! – Whiskey and Chocolate you were made to be BFF’s!

Chocolate Whiskey Cake

Who loves booze and chocolate?  Raise your forks!

I have found it…the best cake in the world!  It’s got chocolate, it’s got whiskey, it’s got more chocolate!  It will make your kitchen smell like a distillery! (I mean that in the best possible way).

I used my Best Choclolate Cake recipe and just tweaked it a bit.  I reduced the baking powder to give it a more dense cake texture.  I added additional chocolate chips to the batter and of course the booze!

Chocolate Ganache Pouring

(Obligatory ganache pour shot. :).  Look at that bourbon bottle shining like a new diamond in the background.  Fairly empty …not sure how that happened…hiccup.)

Tips to make to make this Chocolate Whiskey Cake with Whiskey Ganache!

  • Cake: Use good chocolate and cocoa!   I made this for my BFF in Palm Springs last week.  I was in a hurry and used an off brand of cocoa and chocolate chips (Trader Joes).   It was a DISASTER!  Sorry dear Raela and Bob, I made you a broken cake…what good is a BFF that has a food blog if she can’t make you a  decent cake?  Now the good news is, your chocolate and cocoa doesnt have to be some high end unavailable stuff.  Ghiradelli is my first choice but I have made this cake with  Nestle Semi-Sweet chocolate chips, and it was fabulous.  I used Hersheys Unsweetened Cocoa ,which is in most of our cupboards already.  Just saying, don’t buy the cheap-o stuff.
  • Whiskey:   I am no whiskey officiando.  I can talk wine all day long but don’t ask me to explain the difference between whiskey and bourbon.  But what I do know is that, for this recipe, you need a full flavored whiskey-bourbon.  Something like Jack Daniels.  A nice Kentucky mash would work as well.  I used Woodinville Whiskey.  A distiller right outside of Seattle.  Avoid the Canadian blends like Crown Royal.  The flavor won’t hold up while baking.    You will need a total of 4.5 ounces.  You might consider buying those little bottles we call ‘spark plugs’ around here.  They are great for recipes and other stuff…:).
  • Ganache:   Ganache is equal parts cream and chocolate.  Thats it.  It sounds sooooo fancy but it’s remarkably easy to make.     I make my ganache in the microwave.  Doesn’t get much easier.  Warm up the chocolate, heat the cream to almost a boil.  Pour hot cream over chocolate, mix and you got a fancy schmancy chocolate topping for just about everything.  Make the ganache first and chill while the cake is baking.  This will thicken it up so it’s the consistency in the photo below.  Yum.

Chocolate Whiskey Cake

This recipe will work in a 10″ spring form pan or a 9 x 13 inch cake pan.   I like this cake best when made a day ahead but not essential.  Just make sure it’s cool before you frost it.

 

Looking for a more family friendly chocolate cake?  Got ya covered here!

Best Chocolate and Peanut Butter Cake!

Best Chocolate Cake!  One bowl easy and comes with a recipe for an 8 x 8 or 9 x 13 pan…so you can have a little, or a lot!

Or how about a big sheet pan full of Chocolate and Cherries?  This beauty was a Pillsbury Bake-Off Winner and tastes like it!

To boozy desserts!

Clink!

Kathi

 

What do you think about this recipe? Have questions? Comment below! Don’t forget to like us on Facebook, and connect with us on Instagram and tag your @Laughingspatula recipes with #laughingspatula, while you’re at it…We love to see your pics!  

Chocolate whiskey cake on a platter

Double Chocolate Whiskey Cake with Whiskey Ganache

This cake will make your next grown up party a hit!  Filled with chocolate and a hint of bourbon taste.  Super easy on the cook recipe!
4.89 from 42 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 25 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Author: Kathi & Rachel

Ingredients

  • 2 eggs
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 1 cup sour cream light is okay - do not use fat free
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup brewed coffee - cooled
  • 1/2 cup whiskey/bourbon
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup rough chopped chocolate for garnish optional

Ganache Frosting

  • 8 ounces semi sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3 tablespoons whiskey
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Spray a 10" spring form pan or a 9 x 13 baking pan with non stick spray.
  • In large mixing bowl combine egg, sugar, sour cream, vegetable oil, and vanilla until well blended.
  • Add cocoa powder, whiskey and coffee. Mix until no lumps are evident.
  • Add flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
  • Mix until just combined.
  • Add 1/2 cup chocolate chips.
  • Pour into prepared pan.
  • Bake 35-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean
  • Let cool completely.
  • For Ganache Frosting
  • Pour chocolate chips in large microwave save bowl and microwave for one minute until chips are just soft.
  • In another microwave safe bowl, heat cream until it just begins to boil. About 2 minutes.
  • Pour over chocolate chips.
  • Let sit for 2 minutes before stirring.
  • Stir with whisk. Chocolate will melt and will become a creamy consistency.
  • Add vanilla and whiskey and salt
  • Cool in refrigerator for about 30 minutes or longer until a thick consistency. (You can make this the day before and just microwave for 20 seconds before frosting)
  • Spread over cake and sprinkle with chocolate pieces.

Nutrition

Calories: 963kcal | Carbohydrates: 109g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 52g | Saturated Fat: 33g | Cholesterol: 99mg | Sodium: 628mg | Potassium: 582mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 71g | Vitamin A: 690IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 124mg | Iron: 6mg

 

 

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Filed Under: Cake Recipes, Desserts, Holidays, Most Popular Recipes

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Comments

  1. Juliet Martin says

    January 13, 2025 at 8:16 pm

    Hi there, I’d like to make this as a two-layer cake and will use a different frosting for the middle layer. Do you know the cook times and temps for 2x 8 or 9″ layer cakes?

    Reply
    • Kathi & Rachel says

      January 14, 2025 at 6:11 am

      About 30 minutes. Check at 25 with a toothpick in the middle. If it comes out clean its done.

      Reply
    • Dan says

      May 2, 2025 at 11:19 pm

      I hope you don’t mind me asking but, did you make it two layer? I’m considering doing that too but I don’t know if I should double the original recipe or just make thinner layers. Also, what did you use for the filling? I would really appreciate you sharing your experience. Thanks in advance.

      Reply
      • Kathi & Rachel says

        May 3, 2025 at 5:14 am

        Hi Dan – I would cut the single cake layer horizontally to make two layers and double the ganache using it as a filler. I think thats the easiest way but the recipe is perfect the way its written as well…single layer. Hope you love it! kathi

  2. Alyssa Capone says

    December 24, 2024 at 12:54 pm

    5 stars
    I made this today.. it’s amazing. Starting in the morning so it had time to cool. Perfect recipe. I even used Sugar in the Raw, the bigger crystals, and it works perfectly in this. Best boozy death by chocolate I’ve ever tasted.

    Reply
    • Kathi & Rachel says

      December 25, 2024 at 6:11 am

      We are so glad you loved it! Love “Boozy Death by Chocolate”! Maybe we should change the name of the cake! Kathi

      Reply
  3. Amy says

    June 7, 2022 at 12:56 pm

    I made so,e cupcakes over the weekend and had leftover buttercream. It’s a Bailey’s Irish Cream buttercream and I knew this cake would be perfect. I made it in a 9 in springform pan and it was delicious! Super moist and fudgy.
    Thanks for a great recipe! Much love from Gensac, France.

    Reply
    • Kathi & Rachel says

      June 8, 2022 at 5:38 am

      Hello France! So glad you loved the cake, thank you for the nice note!

      Reply
  4. Christy says

    March 26, 2022 at 8:20 am

    Do you think this will bake up ok cutting the sugar with something like stevia or monk fruit sweetener blends?

    Reply
    • Kathi & Rachel says

      March 26, 2022 at 12:10 pm

      I would not recommend. Sugar is integral part of the consistency of the cake.

      Reply
  5. Nauka says

    February 23, 2022 at 8:26 am

    Hi, love this recipe but have a question- what does a cup of flour in your recipe measure out to? 120 grams or 125 grams or more?
    Thanks

    Reply
    • Kathi & Rachel says

      February 23, 2022 at 8:45 am

      Since we use US Metric I couldnt be sure about grams. However, I can tell you I always ‘fluff up’ my flour before measuring.

      Reply
  6. Ping says

    June 24, 2021 at 2:21 am

    Would it be alright to reduce the sugar? How much can i reduce?

    Reply
    • Kathi & Rachel says

      June 24, 2021 at 6:24 am

      Hi Ping – The recipe is perfect as written :). I would not recommend reducing the sugar.

      Reply
  7. Arlene Elendiuk says

    June 17, 2021 at 7:40 am

    Hot a huge fan of whisky. Could I use white rum??

    Reply
    • Kathi & Rachel says

      June 17, 2021 at 2:22 pm

      Sure – dark would give more flavor.

      Reply
  8. Tammy says

    April 23, 2021 at 1:32 pm

    5 stars
    I’ve been making this cake for a few years now. It’s a birthday tradition for one of my kids. He’s 21 by the way. LOL Everyone loves it. It’s almost like a big brownie. I’ve got one in the oven at this very moment. Smells divine. I’ve told everyone I know about this cake. Great, easy to follow recipe. Thanks Kathi and Rachel!

    Reply
    • Kathi & Rachel says

      April 24, 2021 at 6:26 am

      Thank you so much Tammy! It’s one of our faves too…we have killer Margarita cupcakes too if your ever looking for more boozy desserts! Truly appreciate your 5 stars and nice comment! Clink!

      Reply
  9. Renee says

    March 4, 2021 at 7:47 am

    Can you make this as a layer cake? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kathi & Rachel says

      March 4, 2021 at 7:52 am

      Hi Renee – the ganache won’t hold up as a layer of chocolate in between. You would need to substitute a thick ‘frosting’ for the middle layer.

      Reply
  10. Kate says

    December 22, 2020 at 6:38 pm

    Is it ok to add extra whiskey without compromising texture?
    Will you still be able to taste the whiskey in the cake, like a rum cake? After all, that is the purpose no?
    Thanks.

    Reply
    • Kathi & Rachel says

      December 23, 2020 at 7:09 am

      Hi Kate – I would not advise adding extra whiskey. Too much liquid would ruin the cake. The best way to get the most kick in your cake is (as mentioned in the recipe) is to use a bourbon or Tennessee whiskey and not a blend. ie: Jack Daniels opposed to Crown Royal. The smoother blends tend to bake out.

      Reply
  11. Greg Zyn says

    February 27, 2020 at 6:08 am

    I have been trying to find the perfect recipe to make Double Chocolate Whiskey Cake for my friend’s birthday. He really likes whiskey so I think this will be perfect for him.

    Reply
    • Prarthna says

      October 4, 2020 at 9:33 am

      Can you suggest a replacement for sour cream please?

      Reply
      • Kathi & Rachel says

        October 4, 2020 at 12:07 pm

        Full fat greek yogurt or softened butter should work but I have not tried either of these so buyer beware :).

  12. Cathe says

    February 10, 2020 at 4:00 pm

    Any way to make this into a smaller cake. Can I cut the recipe in half ?

    Reply
    • Kathi & Rachel says

      February 11, 2020 at 7:10 am

      Hi Cathe – inside the recipe card, if you hover over the serving size a pop up will appear. You can slide it to reduce or increase the recipe.

      Reply
  13. Janet McLaughlin says

    November 23, 2019 at 6:19 pm

    5 stars
    Looks amazing. I received a bottle of bird dog chocolate whiskey as a gift. Found your recipe when searching for things to make with it. Do you think it would enhance or hurt your recipe?

    Reply
  14. Pat jones says

    April 22, 2019 at 6:38 pm

    5 stars
    I made this cake three times… added 1/4 cup more oil and 1/4 cup more coffee the second and third time and it was out more moist that the first time I made it. It has gotten rave reviews. Yummy and the spiked ganache is a perfect topping! Delicious.

    Reply
    • LaughingSpatula.com says

      April 24, 2019 at 6:08 am

      Thank you Pat! We are so glad you loved it, it is always a show stopper!

      Reply
  15. SONNET says

    April 9, 2019 at 12:18 am

    Can you make it in to cupcakes?????

    Reply
    • LaughingSpatula.com says

      April 9, 2019 at 7:11 am

      Would be delicious sonnet! Will make 24-30 cupcakes, simply reduce the baking time to around 25 minutes. Same oven temp. Hope they are a hit!

      Reply
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