If you’re a chocolate lover, this Olive Garden Chocolate Lasagna Recipe is going to become your new favorite dessert. Inspired by the restaurant-style classic, this no-egg, no-fuss cake layers soft chocolate sponge with whipped cream and a silky ganache topping. It’s decadent, creamy, and surprisingly simple to make right in your kitchen.
What makes this recipe even better is that you don’t need an oven-you can bake it in a heavy pot on the stovetop. It’s a creative twist that gives you the same results as traditional baking without any special equipment.
If you’ve ever enjoyed the Olive Garden Black Tie Mousse Cake Recipe, you’ll love how this dessert brings the same indulgent flavors to your table. Let’s walk through it step by step.
Why You’ll Love Chocolate Lasagna Olive Garden Recipe
This chocolate lasagna is just right when it comes to light and heavy. Moist chocolate sponge cake is given a hit of coffee to taste, drizzled with sweet whipped cream to taste, and topped with a gleaming chocolate ganache. Creamy, soft in every bite and totally unstoppable.
Recipe is easy-going for new comers and is an egg-less cake so good to have in families with no drinking permission. You will also appreciate how flexible it is – you can top it with shavings of chocolate, drizzle it with extra ganache, or even add crushed cookies to give it a funky twist.
Better yet, it’s a show-stopping dessert that tastes restaurant-quality yet comes together with humble, day-to-day ingredients. Perfect to make on birthdays, parties, or just because!
Ingredients Required for Olive Garden Chocolate Lasagna Recipe
Before you start, make sure you have all the following ingredients listed below for this Olive Garden Chocolate Lasagna Recipe
For the Cake:
- ½ cup milk (room temperature)
- 1 tsp white vinegar or lemon juice
- 1½ tsp instant coffee
- 1½ tbsp hot water
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- ⅓ cup plain yogurt
- ½ cup + 2 tbsp granulated sugar (powdered if possible)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- Pinch of salt
For the Whipped Cream:
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream (cold)
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
For Sugar Syrup:
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- ¼ cup water
For Ganache:
- 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate (chopped)
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
Optional Garnish:
- Chocolate shavings or curls
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk or hand mixer
- Heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven with lid (for stovetop baking)
- Small heatproof stand or trivet (to elevate cake pan)
- 6-inch round cake pan
- Parchment paper
- Spatula
- Wire cooling rack
- Serrated knife or cake slicer
Preparation Time: 25 minutes
Cooking/Baking Time: 40 minutes
How To Make Olive Garden Chocolate Lasagna
Just follow these easy steps to make your own Olive Garden Chocolate Lasagna at home
1. Curdle the Milk: Mix together milks and vinegar. Stand 10–15 minutes until just set.
2. Coffee Mixture: Whisk instant coffee in hot water. Keep aside.
3. Preheat Pot: Line a heavy pot bottom with 1 cup of salt, put a trivet in it, cover it, and preheat on medium heat for 10 minutes. Grease and parchment line your cake pan.
4. Prepare the Batter: Whisk sugar, yogurt, and oil smoothly in a bowl. Sift in flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gently fold it. Add a little of the coffee mixture and curdled milk gradually to make a smooth batter.
5. Bake the Cake: Pour from prepared pan. Place into preheated pot on trivet, cover, and cook on low-medium gas 35–40 minutes. Test doneness with toothpick. Cool entirely on a rack.
6. Whipped Cream: Whisk cream, cocoa, and sugar until stiffer peaks are formed. Refrigerate when you’re about to use it.
7. Sugar Syrup: Whisk powdered sugar into water to dissolve.
8. Assemble: Slice cake horizontally into 2–3 layers. Brush each cake layer with sugar syrup, spread cake layer with whipped cream and stack. Spread a smooth top layer of cream all over cake. Chill 15 minutes.
9. Ganache: Heat cream to steaming; pour over chocolate and butter. Stir until glossy. Cool a minute or two, then pour into cake-cooled chocolate conglomeration. Smooth top. Chill 30 minutes.
10. Conclude: Sprinkle with chocolate shavings. Slice and serve!
How to Store Olive Garden Chocolate Lasagna Properly?
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For best flavor, let the cake sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before serving to soften the cream layers.
What to Pair and Serve with Chocolate Lasagna Olive Garden
1. With Fresh Berries
We love adding a handful of fresh raspberries or strawberries on the side. The tartness cuts through the richness of the chocolate and makes each bite feel refreshing.
2. Topped with Vanilla Ice Cream
A scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream melts beautifully over a slice of chocolate lasagna. It’s the perfect hot-and-cold contrast, especially after a hearty Italian dinner.
3. Drizzled with Caramel Sauce
Sometimes we like to drizzle homemade caramel sauce over the top. The sweet, buttery notes pair wonderfully with the dark chocolate layers.
4. With Espresso or Cappuccino
If you’re serving this after dinner, pair it with a strong espresso or a frothy cappuccino. The coffee enhances the cocoa flavor, and it feels like a true Italian café experience.
5. Alongside Savory Pasta Dinners
Whenever we make rich pasta dishes like the Olive Garden Braised Beef and Tortellini , finishing the meal with chocolate lasagna feels like the ultimate comfort-food combo. The savory-to-sweet transition is flawless.
6. Topped with Chocolate-Covered Nuts
Adding crushed chocolate-covered almonds or hazelnuts gives the cake a delightful crunch. It’s one of our favorite tricks for making it party-ready.
7. Paired with Peach Bellini Tea
On warmer days, we love enjoying a slice with a chilled glass of the Olive Garden Peach Bellini Tea. The fruity, refreshing drink balances out the richness of the dessert.
8. With a Scoop of Whipped Cream
If you don’t want anything too heavy, just add an extra dollop of whipped cream on the side. It keeps things light and airy.
9. Served in Individual Glass Cups
For parties, we sometimes slice the layers into parfait-style servings in clear cups. It looks stunning and makes it easy for guests to grab and go.
10. Topped with Shaved Chocolate or Cocoa Dusting
A final flourish of chocolate shavings or a light cocoa dusting always makes the presentation pop. It looks elegant and adds just a touch more chocolatey goodness.
My Personal Experience With this Recipe and Some Tips
I tried this Olive Garden Chocolate Lasagna Recipe last week, and it was so soft and creamy. My family loved every bite, and we all went back for seconds. It felt like eating a cake from a restaurant, but I made it at home.
Tips for This Recipe
1. Always line your pan with parchment paper so the cake comes out easy.
2. Don’t overmix the batter-mix just until smooth.
3. Let the cake cool fully before you slice it.
4. Chill your cream before whipping-it makes it fluffy.
5. Pour ganache only when it’s cool, not hot.
6. Keep the cake in the fridge so it stays fresh and soft.
FAQs on Olive Garden Chocolate Lasagna Recipe
Here are some common questions I’ve got you covered about the Olive Garden Chocolate Lasagna Recipe.
1. Can I bake this cake version in a traditional oven instead of a stovetop kadai?
Absolutely! From experience, you can transfer the batter to a greased 6-inch cake pan and bake in a preheated oven at 325 °F (160–165 °C) for about 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Just make sure the pan is well insulated (use a water bath or wrap the exterior in foil) so heat distributes evenly.
2. What can I substitute if I don’t have curd (yogurt)?
We’ve successfully swapped plain yogurt/curd with sour cream or buttermilk (same quantity) in our trials. These maintain moisture and tang. If too thin, reduce the milk slightly.
3. Is coffee powder really necessary?
While optional, coffee intensifies the chocolate flavor and makes the layers richer. In our tests, omitting it makes the chocolate a bit flatter. If you skip it, you may want to increase cocoa by a tablespoon for more depth.
4. How many layers can I divide the cake into?
We’ve split it into 2 or 3 layers depending on thickness. Thinner layers allow better cream distribution, but if you try 4 too thin, handling becomes tricky. For sturdier texture, go with 2–3 layers.
5. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes -we often assemble it the night before. After finishing with ganache, cover tightly and refrigerate for 8–12 hours (or up to 24). This allows flavors to meld and makes slicing cleaner.
6. How to prevent the top from drying while cooling?
We cover the cake loosely with a clean cloth (or a light towel) while it’s cooling on the rack. This helps retain moisture and prevents crusting.
7. What if my ganache becomes too firm or thick before pouring?
If it cools and firms too much, gently warm it in short bursts (10 seconds) in the microwave, stirring in between. Be cautious not to overheat, or it will break.
8. How long should the assembled cake chill before serving?
From experience, chill for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour after pouring ganache, but overnight chilling (4–6 hours) yields cleaner slices and best texture.
9. Can I freeze leftovers?
Yes -slice and wrap each portion in plastic, then foil. Freeze for up to 1 month. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and bring to room temperature 15–20 minutes before serving.
10. How do I avoid soggy layers from the sugar syrup?
We use a light sugar syrup (just enough to moisten) and apply it sparingly with a brush. If you over-soak, the cream and sponge can merge too much. Also, chilled layers absorb more gently than warm ones.
After mastering this, you might enjoy exploring rich dessert recipes like the BJ’s Salted Caramel Pizookie, Elizabeth Heiskell Banana Pudding , or Kevin Belton’s Hummingbird Cake Recipe.
Try it at home and let me know how it turns out! And if you’re craving more restaurant-inspired treats, don’t miss the Olive Garden Black Tie Mousse Cake Recipe for another unforgettable chocolate experience.
I’d love to hear your thoughts-leave a comment on the blog and let me know How it came out! Don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest, Facebook and YouTube for more delicious updates. Your support truly means everything to me.