Description
This rich chocolate layer cake showcases deep cocoa flavors with multiple tender chocolate cake layers and silky chocolate buttercream frosting. Dark chocolate ganache and chocolate shavings complete this indulgent dessert for serious chocolate enthusiasts.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ cups (180 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (220 grams) brown sugar
- 1 cup (227 grams) butter
- 8 oz (226 grams) bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 8 oz (226 grams) bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 3 eggs, at room temperature
- 1½ cups (360 ml) heavy cream
- ¾ cup (75 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tbsps (30 grams) brown sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp instant coffee
- ½ cup (120 ml) water
- Chocolate curls
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and meticulously grease two 8-inch round cake pans with butter and flour.
- Chocolate Base Creation: Melt unsalted butter and chocolate in a saucepan, incorporating dissolved instant coffee, stirring until achieving a silky smooth consistency.
- Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, and remaining dry ingredients using an electric mixer at low speed to ensure uniform distribution.
- Liquid Integration: Blend eggs and whole milk into the dry mixture, beating at medium speed for 2 minutes until achieving a velvety, homogeneous batter.
- Chocolate Incorporation: Gently fold the melted chocolate mixture into the batter, ensuring complete color and texture uniformity without visible streaks.
- Baking Process: Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, verifying doneness with a clean toothpick test.
- Cooling Stage: Rest cakes in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely to room temperature.
- Ganache Preparation: Simmer heavy cream and brown sugar, then pour over finely chopped chocolate, allowing 3-4 minutes of resting before creating a glossy ganache.
- Final Assembly: Once cooled, layer cake with ganache between rounds and generously coat the entire cake, optional chocolate curl garnish recommended.
- Serving: Present at room temperature, revealing the luxurious, moist chocolate layers of this indulgent dessert.
Notes
- Optimize Ingredient Temperature: Ensure eggs and milk are at room temperature for smoother batter integration and consistent texture.
- Master Chocolate Melting: Use low, gentle heat when melting chocolate and butter to prevent burning and maintain silky smoothness.
- Check Cake Doneness Carefully: Toothpick test is crucial; minimal crumbs indicate perfect moisture, while wet batter means more baking time is needed.
- Handle Cooling Technique: Allow cakes to rest in pans for exactly 10 minutes before transferring to wire rack, preventing potential structural damage and maintaining delicate cake structure.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 582
- Sugar: 54 g
- Sodium: 210 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 24 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 58 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 116 mg