Chocolate Chip Loaf Cake with Chocolate Ganache

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This simple and delicious chocolate chip loaf cake topped with chocolate ganache is the perfect cake to make when you crave chocolate! The cake is rich and buttery, similar to a pound cake, and each bite is tender and filled with chocolate chips.

For best results, use full fat dairy and be sure to add the glossy chocolate ganache topping. The ganache is so easy to make with high quality chocolate and heavy cream, and is one of my favorite toppings for chocolate dessert recipes like decadent double chocolate bundt cake and fudgy chocolate ganache loaf cake.

Key Ingredients

Here’s what you need to make this easy chocolate chip loaf cake:

• Flour – Regular all-purpose flour is perfect for this cake.
• Baking powder and baking soda – Gives the cake a lift.
• Salt – For flavor.
• Unsalted butter – Use unsalted butter at room temperature (room temperature butter is slightly cool to the touch and your finger will make a shallow impression).
• Sugar – White granulated sugar sweetens the cake.
• Vanilla – Pure vanilla extract flavors this loaf cake (my personal favorite is Rodelle Gourmet Vanilla Extract).
• Almond extract  – I tested this loaf cake with and without almond extract, and I personally love the flavor a splash of pure almond extract adds. The cake doesn’t taste excessively like almond, the extract simply rounds out and adds depth to the flavors. If you’re not a fan, feel free to omit it.
• Eggs – Two large eggs add moisture and richness to the cake.
• Whole milk and sour cream  – Ensures a soft and tender crumb. You can also use Greek yogurt in place of sour cream.
• Chocolate chips – I recommend using mini semisweet chocolate chips for plenty of chocolate in each bite! Mini chocolate chips also stay nicely suspended in the batter.

How to Make Whole Milk

Whole milk gives this loaf cake a moist, rich flavor. If you don’t have whole milk on hand, stir together 1/2 cup heavy cream and 1/2 cup water as a substitute for 1 cup whole milk.

Love loaf cakes? Find more inspiration in this round up of best loaf cake recipes!

How to Make Chocolate Chip Loaf Cake

Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.

Beat butter and sugar in a large mixer bowl at medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in vanilla and almond extract until combined.

With mixer on low speed, add eggs one at a time. 

With mixer on low speed, add dry ingredients in 3 additions, alternating with wet ingredients (begin and end with flour mixture).

Toss mini chocolate chips with 1 tablespoon reserved flour mixture (this prevents the chips from sinking) before gently folding into batter.

Pour batter into a parchment-lined loaf pan. Smooth the top with an offset spatula and tap pan sharply to prevent air bubbles.

Bake loaf cake for 60 to 65 minutes, until cake springs back to the touch and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few dry crumbs attached (some melted chocolate is ok!).

Cool loaf cake in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cool, top with chocolate ganache.

Easy Chocolate Ganache

1. Place 4 ounces chopped chocolate and a pinch of salt in a medium heat-proof bowl.
2. Bring 6 tablespoons heavy cream to a simmer in a small saucepan, heating until bubbles form at the edge of the pan.
3. Pour warm heavy cream over chocolate. Cover the bowl and let stand for 1 minute, then stir with a spatula until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is smooth.
4. Spoon warm ganache over cake and let set before serving.

How to Freeze

You can make this cake in advance. Once fully cooled, wrap in plastic wrap and then wrap again in foil or place the wrapped cake in a freezer bag and freeze up to 2 months.

The day before you plan to serve, let the cake thaw overnight in the refrigerator (still wrapped to prevent condensation), then bring to room temperature. Add the ganache topping before serving.

To freeze cake slices, use a serrated knife to slice the cake and wrap each slice in plastic wrap. Store the slices in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to serve, thaw slices at room temperature.

Our best chocolate loaf cake recipes:

• Chocolate Ganache Loaf Cake
• Triple Chocolate Loaf Cake
• Chocolate Pound Cake

Did you try this Chocolate Chip Loaf Cake Recipe? Let me know by leaving a comment and rating below!

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