White Chocolate Layer Cake

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Moist and fluffy white chocolate cake is layered with silky white chocolate ganache and creamy white chocolate frosting in this pearly masterpiece! Whether you need a small wedding cake or just adore white chocolate, this stunning White Chocolate Layer Cake is heavenly!

Heavenly White Chocolate Drip Cake

When given the choice between white, milk or dark chocolate, I’ll reach for white chocolate pretty much every time. As a kid, the Easter bunny would even leave me white chocolate bunnies. Yes, it’s a thing! If you enjoy white chocolate as much as I do—or even just a little bit—you’ve gotta try a slice of this cake.

Each component is laced with that sweet, rich, and buttery flavor you know and love. The cake layers themselves are made with buttermilk to keep them ultra-tender and enhance the white chocolate flavor. Since there’s only so much white chocolate you can shove into a cake without ruining its texture, the frosting and the ganache are where the flavor really flourishes.

The final result is a dazzling dessert that’s full of white chocolate goodness, but not to the point where it becomes overwhelming. This simple and sophisticated layer cake is luxurious enough to convince your loved ones you ordered it from the fanciest bakery in town!

Is White Chocolate Really Chocolate?

Well, not technically, but it still counts as chocolate in our hearts. Instead of using actual cocoa, it’s made with the natural oil found in cocoa beans, commonly known as cocoa butter. This antioxidant-rich oil is combined with sugar, a specific type of milk powder and sometimes vanilla to produce white chocolate.

Since cakes already contain their own sugar, oil and vanilla, white chocolate is a difficult flavor to feature. It can easily get hidden and it’s hard to add too much without negatively affecting the texture of the crumb. No one wants a dense and oily piece of cake, so it took a lot of trial and error to get this recipe perfect. In addition to incorporating buttermilk, I used a mixture of oil and butter rather than making this a fully oil-based cake.

This helped the texture come out much more soft and fluffy! The other thing I did was reduce the amount of baking powder and supplement it with baking soda. Not only does baking soda make for a lighter textured cake, but it also changes the flavor profile a bit. In this case, it gives the white chocolate space to shine through.

What You’ll Need

This tried and true treat turns basic ingredients into a gourmet work of art. You’ll find the specific amounts for each item included in the recipe card near the bottom of this post.

For the White Chocolate Cake Layers

• Chopped White Chocolate: It’s important to note that white chocolate baking bars, such as Bakers or Ghirardelli, melt much smoother and thinner and are better for using in your cake. You’re more likely to get clumping with white chocolate chips.
• Buttermilk: Using a buttermilk substitute is often fine, but I don’t recommend doing so for this cake. Stick with real buttermilk for the best results.
• All-Purpose Flour
• Baking Powder & Baking Soda: The combination of the two gives the best texture and flavor.
• Salt
• Unsalted Butter: Make sure you bring this to room temperature before you use it.
• Vegetable Oil
• Sugar
• Large Eggs
• Vanilla Extract

For the White Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

• White Chocolate: You’ll want to use those baking bars for the frosting as well.
• Unsalted Butter: Brought to room temperature.
• Powdered Sugar
• Salt: A dash of salt helps balance out the sweetness of the white chocolate.
• Heavy Whipping Cream

For the White Chocolate Ganache Filling

• White Chocolate: Ganache is a lot more forgiving with white chocolate chips, but you can definitely stick with the baking bars if you’d like.
• Heavy Whipping Cream

For the White Chocolate Ganache Drip

• White Chocolate
• Heavy Whipping Cream

How to Make White Chocolate Layer Cake

With everything going on in this cake, it does require a decent amount of prep time. But don’t let that deter you! Everything is super easy, and the steps can be split up at your convenience.

Make the Cake Layers

1. Prep for Baking: Prepare three 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper circles in the bottom and grease the sides. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Combine White Chocolate & Buttermilk: Add the white chocolate and 1/4 cup of the buttermilk to a medium-sized bowl that’s safe to microwave. Heat the mixture in 20-second increments, stirring well between each one, until it’s melted and smooth. Set the bowl aside.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium-sized bowl and set the mixture aside.
4. Cream Butter, Oil & Sugar: Add the butter, oil and sugar to a large mixing bowl and beat them together until the mixture is light in color and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Do not skimp on the creaming time.
5. Add Eggs: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until mostly combined after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to be sure all of the ingredients are well incorporated.
6. Start Adding Dry Ingredients: Add half of the dry ingredients to the batter and mix until mostly combined.
7. Add Buttermilk & Vanilla Extract: Slowly add the remaining cup of buttermilk and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
8. Finish Adding Dry Ingredients: Add the remaining dry ingredients and mix until well combined and smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed, taking care not to over-mix the batter.
9. Add White Chocolate Mixture: Slowly add the melted white chocolate mixture and gently fold it into the cake batter.
10. Bake: Divide the batter evenly between the cake pans and bake the cake layers for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out with a few loose crumbs.
11. Let Cool: Remove the cakes from the oven and allow them to cool in the pans for 2-3 minutes, then transfer them to cooling racks and let them cool completely.

Make the Buttercream

1. Melt White Chocolate: Once the cakes have fully cooled, make the buttercream. Add the white chocolate to a bowl and heat it in 10-20 second increments, stirring well between each one, until it’s melted and smooth. Set the mixture aside.
2. Beat Butter: Add the butter to a large mixer bowl and beat it until it’s smooth and creamy.
3. Start Adding Powdered Sugar: Slowly add half of the powdered sugar and mix until well combined and smooth.
4. Add White Chocolate: Slowly add the white chocolate in 5-6 batches, mixing between each portion until well combined. This keeps the white chocolate from clumping up.
5. Add Heavy Cream & Salt: Add the salt and 4-5 tablespoons of heavy cream, mixing until well combined and smooth.
6. Finish Adding Powdered Sugar: Slowly add the remaining powdered sugar and mix until well combined and smooth. Add additional cream or milk as needed to get the right consistency.

Make the Ganache Filling

1. Prep White Chocolate: Add the white chocolate chips to a medium-sized bowl.
2. Microwave Cream: Add the heavy whipping cream to a microwave-safe measuring cup and nuke it until it just begins to boil.
3. Pour Over Chocolate & Combine: Pour the hot cream over the white chocolate chips and let it sit for 2-3 minutes, then whisk until smooth. If the chocolate doesn’t melt too well, pop the mixture back into the microwave for about 10 seconds, then whisk until smooth.

Build the Cake

1. Level Cake Layers: Use a large serrated knife to remove the domes from the tops of the cakes so that they’re flat. See my tutorial for leveling a cake for additional help.
2. Layer Cake, Frosting & Ganache: Place the first layer of cake onto a cardboard cake circle or a serving platter. Spread about half a cup of buttercream into an even layer on top of the cake, then use the frosting to create a dam around the outer edge. Spread about half of the white chocolate ganache into an even layer inside of the dam, then level out the dam and ganache so that it’s all an even layer.
3. Continue Layering: Add another layer of cake on top of the ganache, then repeat the process of adding frosting and ganache. Add the final layer of cake on top.
4. Frost Exterior: Use an offset spatula to frost the top and outside of the cake. Refer to my tutorial for frosting a smooth cake if needed.

Decorate

1. Prep White Chocolate: Add the white chocolate chips to a medium-sized bowl.
2. Heat Cream: Add the heavy whipping cream to a microwave-safe measuring cup and microwave until it just begins to boil.
3. Combine: Pour the hot cream over the white chocolate chips and let it sit for 2-3 minutes, then whisk until smooth. Pop it back into the microwave for about 10 seconds and whisk it again if necessary.
4. Add to Cake: Drizzle the white chocolate ganache around the edges of the cake, then fill in the center/top of the cake. See my tips for making a chocolate drip cake.
5. Add Finishing Touches: Use the remaining buttercream to pipe swirls around the outer edge of the cake. Top each swirl with a white chocolate truffle if you’d like.
6. Enjoy! Keep the cake in the fridge until you’re ready to cut and serve it.

Can I Make It in Advance?

Absolutely! It’s very helpful to make the cake layers a day ahead of time. That way, you’ll just have to whip up the frosting and the ganaches, then put it all together. Simply wrap each cooled cake layer tightly in plastic wrap and store them in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to assemble the cake (up to 2 days). You also store them in a cake carrier.

Tips for Success

Check out the handy tips below to set yourself up for white chocolate cake perfection.

• Don’t Over-Mix the Batter: Over-mixing your batter will make the cake layers come out more dense. Be sure to fold in the melted white chocolate mixture slowly and gently to prevent this.
• Add the White Chocolate to the Frosting in Batches: It’s best to add the melted white chocolate to the buttercream in small increments so it doesn’t clump up. I like to pour in 1/5-1/6 of it at a time.
• Consistency is Key: Not sure how to determine the proper buttercream consistency for frosting a smooth cake? My guide to getting the right frosting consistency will tell you everything you need to know.
• Stacking Support: If you’re new to making cakes with multiple layers, I recommend getting familiar with filling and stacking a layer cake. You’ll be a pro in no time!

How to Store Extras

Keep extra white chocolate cake in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. I prefer storing mine in a cake carrier to preserve the decorations.

Does This Freeze Well?

I don’t typically recommend freezing freezing fully frosted cakes, but you could certainly freeze the cake layer prior to building the cake. Place each cooled and plastic-wrapped layer of cake into a heavy-duty storage bag. Remove as much air from the bags as you can and seal them. Freeze the cake layers for up to 3 months, thawing them out overnight before you build the cake.

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More Luscious Layer Cakes to Try

Want to impress your friends with more show-stopping cakes? I know just the recipes.

• Loaded Peanut Butter Layer Cake
• Cookies and Cream Layer Cake