This is one of the recipes my husband taught me. We’ve been making this Hennessy Cake Recipe for many years and each time we enjoy its delicious and creamy flavors just as much as the first time we tried it.
The recipe might seem unusual because we use Hennessy as the main ingredient, but believe me, it turns out delicious and is a great choice for those who love to try different cakes each time.
This Hennessy Cake Recipe isn’t that complicated; it’s similar to making your regular cakes, just with a slight change in ingredients.
For the topping, I love using cherries and Hennessy buttercream. However, topping the cake is a creative step, so you can add any fruits or other additions you like the most.
What is Hennessy Cake?
Hennessy Cake is a tasty dessert cake that made with Hennessy cognac as a key ingredient, adding its special taste to the traditional cake recipe. Alongside standard cake ingredients like flour, butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract, Hennessy Cake is a different cake that you should try if you love Hennessy taste and want a dessert based on it.
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup Hennessy cognac
For the Hennessy Syrup:
- 1/4 cup Hennessy cognac
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
For the Hennessy Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup Hennessy cognac
- Pinch of salt
How to Make Hennessy Cake?
Step 1:
First, Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Then, use oil to grease two round cake pans. Cut out circles of parchment paper to fit in the bottom of each pan and put them inside.
Step 2:
In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and a pinch of salt. Stir everything together and Set this bowl aside for later.
Step 3:
In a big bowl, beat the soft butter and granulated sugar until it gets fluffy.
Step 4:
Now, crack open each egg one by one and add them to the fluffy butter and sugar. After each egg, stir it really well. Then, pour in the vanilla extract and give it a good mix.
Step 5:
Little by little, add the dry ingredients from the medium bowl into the big bowl with the butter mixture. After each scoop, add a bit of sour cream. Keep going until everything is mixed together nicely.
Step 6:
Now, Pour in the Hennessy cognac and stir it all together. This makes the cake taste amazing!
Step 7:
Next, pour the cake batter evenly into the two pans. Use a spatula to smooth out the tops so they are flat. and put the pans in the oven and set a timer for 25-30 minutes.
Step 8:
While the cakes are baking, you can make the yummy Hennessy syrup! In a small pot, mix together the Hennessy cognac, water, and sugar. Let it come to a boil, then turn down the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes. After that, take it off the stove and let it cool down.
Step 9:
Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Afterward, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once they’re cool, gently brush the tops of the cakes with the prepared Hennessy syrup.
Step 10:
Now you need to make the buttercream frosting, beat the softened butter in a large bowl until it’s creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, Hennessy cognac, and a pinch of salt. Keep beating until all the ingredients are well combined.
Step 11:
Place one of the cooled cake layers on a serving plate or cake stand. Spread a generous layer of the Hennessy buttercream frosting evenly over the top. Carefully place the second cake layer on top of the frosted first layer. Frost the entire cake, covering both the top and sides, with the remaining buttercream.
Step 12:
After frosting the top and sides of the cake with the Hennessy buttercream Place small red berries (such as fresh raspberries or cherries) in each corner of the cake and Sprinkle shredded chocolate in the center of the cake to add a beautiful look. This is my way, But since you made the cake, you can decorate as you want on top, So it’s up to you and your creativity.
Kitchen Equipment Needed
To prepare this Hennessy cake, ensure you have the following kitchen equipment:
- Two 8-inch round cake pans
- Parchment paper
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk or electric mixer
- Spatula
- Saucepan
- Cooling rack
Helpful Tips!
- When dividing the batter between the cake pans, use a spatula to smooth the tops so they bake evenly.
- Brushing the cooled cake layers with Hennessy syrup adds an extra flavor to it.
- Use measuring cups and spoons for dry ingredients and a kitchen scale for more precise measurements, especially for flour, which can affect the texture of your cake.
- If the buttercream frosting becomes too soft while frosting the cake, refrigerate it for a few minutes to firm up before continuing.
What to Serve with this Hennessy Cake?
Serve your Hennessy Cake with some other desserts like Chocolate Chip Cookies or brownies, And to balance the sweetness enjoy your cake with a cup of hot coffee or a chilled glass of blueberry smoothie for a refreshing taste.
FAQ
Can I taste the alcohol in Hennessy Cake?
Hennessy Cake has a subtle hint of cognac flavor, but the alcohol mostly evaporates during baking.
Can I substitute Hennessy with another type of alcohol?
If you do that, we will not be called Hennessy Cake again, The cake is based on this ingredient, So I suggest No.
How should I store leftover Hennessy Cake?
Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Can I freeze Hennessy Cake?
Yes, you can freeze unfrosted cake layers for up to 1 month
How do I prevent my cake from becoming too dense?
Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature before mixing, and avoid overmixing the batter once the flour is added.
Conclusion
Enjoy the rich flavors of Hennessy with this gorgeous Hennessy cake recipe. this cake guarantees a delicious taste that’s sure you will love it. Share this recipe with loved ones who enjoy gourmet desserts, and remember to subscribe to my blog for more upcoming recipes.
Hennessy Cake Recipe
Course: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy12
servings30
minutes25
minutes350
kcal55
minutesA beautiful layer cake with rich flavors of Hennessy cognac, topped with smooth Hennessy buttercream frosting and garnished with fresh berries and chocolate shavings.
Ingredients
- For the Cake:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup Hennessy cognac
- For the Hennessy Syrup:
1/4 cup Hennessy cognac
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup granulated sugar
- For the Hennessy Buttercream Frosting:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup Hennessy cognac
Pinch of salt
Directions
- First, Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Then, use oil to grease two round cake pans. Cut out circles of parchment paper to fit in the bottom of each pan and put them inside.
- In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and a pinch of salt. Stir everything together and Set this bowl aside for later.
- In a big bowl, beat the soft butter and granulated sugar until it gets fluffy.
- Now, crack open each egg one by one and add them to the fluffy butter and sugar. After each egg, stir it really well. Then, pour in the vanilla extract and give it a good mix.
- Little by little, add the dry ingredients from the medium bowl into the big bowl with the butter mixture. After each scoop, add a bit of sour cream. Keep going until everything is mixed together nicely.
- Now, Pour in the Hennessy cognac and stir it all together. This makes the cake taste amazing!
- Next, pour the cake batter evenly into the two pans. Use a spatula to smooth out the tops so they are flat. and put the pans in the oven and set a timer for 25-30 minutes.
- While the cakes are baking, you can make the yummy Hennessy syrup! In a small pot, mix together the Hennessy cognac, water, and sugar. Let it come to a boil, then turn down the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes. After that, take it off the stove and let it cool down.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes. Afterward, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once they're cool, gently brush the tops of the cakes with the prepared Hennessy syrup.
- Now you need to make the buttercream frosting, beat the softened butter in a large bowl until it's creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, Hennessy cognac, and a pinch of salt. Keep beating until all the ingredients are well combined.
- Place one of the cooled cake layers on a serving plate or cake stand. Spread a generous layer of the Hennessy buttercream frosting evenly over the top. Carefully place the second cake layer on top of the frosted first layer. Frost the entire cake, covering both the top and sides, with the remaining buttercream.
- After frosting the top and sides of the cake with the Hennessy buttercream Place small red berries (such as fresh raspberries or cherries) in each corner of the cake and Sprinkle shredded chocolate in the center of the cake to add a beautiful look. This is my way, But since you made the cake, you can decorate as you want on top, So it's up to you and your creativity.
Notes
- When dividing the batter between the cake pans, use a spatula to smooth the tops so they bake evenly.
- Brushing the cooled cake layers with Hennessy syrup adds an extra flavor to it.
- Use measuring cups and spoons for dry ingredients and a kitchen scale for more precise measurements, especially for flour, which can affect the texture of your cake.
- If the buttercream frosting becomes too soft while frosting the cake, refrigerate it for a few minutes to firm up before continuing.