Mashed Idaho® Potato Chocolate Cake with Easy Whipped Chocolate Ganache

Ingredients:

• Butter and flour, for the pans
• 1 3/4 cups (225 g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (40 g) unsweetened natural cocoa powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon instant espresso powder
• 1 3/4 cups (350 g) sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup cold leftover mashed Idaho® potatoes (with butter, cream/milk, and salt is fine)
• 1 cup (237 ml) milk (whole or 2%)
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) avocado oil (or another neutral-flavored oil)
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 ounces (75 g) good-quality unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled slightly
• 1 pound (455 g) good-quality semisweet chocolate, divided
• 3/4 cup (180 ml) half and half
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350^o Butter and flour 2 (9-inch) round cake pans.
2. Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking soda, and espresso powder in a large bowl and set aside.
3. Add the sugar and eggs to a blender or food processor and process until combined; add the mashed potatoes, milk, oil, and vanilla extract and pulse until smooth, scraping down the sides as necessary. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in the unsweetened chocolate.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and beat until combined.
5. Pour the batter into the 2 prepared pans and bake until a wooden pick inserted inside comes out clean, about 20 to 25 minutes. Cool completely on wire racks.
6. For the ganache, melt together 12 ounces of the semisweet chocolate with the half and half and butter in a double boiler or microwave. Gently stir until combined, and then cool to room temperature. Once at room temperature, whip the chocolate mixture with a handheld electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 1 minute.
7. To assemble the cake, place 1 of the cake rounds onto a cake platter. Spread about 1/3 of the whipped chocolate ganache on top. Place the other cake round on top and spread the remaining whipped chocolate ganache on the top and sides.
8. Melt the remaining 4 ounces of semisweet chocolate and let it cool until it’s no longer hot, but is still pourable. Spread the melted chocolate on top of the cake and let it drip down the sides. Let the chocolate set before slicing and serving.
9. Store any leftover cake covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Notes:

For your leftover mashed potatoes, smooth and creamy (with as few lumps as possible) with butter, milk or cream, and salt is fine. You just don’t want savory-flavored potatoes with add-ins like garlic, onion, or cheese; that’s a different cake for a different day!