Death by Chocolate Cake
Equipment
Ingredients
Cake Layers
all-purpose flour (sifted)
250 g
granulated sugar
400 g
cocoa powder (unsweetened)
75 g
baking soda
10 g
baking powder
5 g
salt
5 g
buttermilk (room temperature)
240 ml
vegetable oil
120 ml
large eggs (room temperature)
2 piece
vanilla extract
10 ml
hot water (boiling)
240 ml
Chocolate Frosting
unsalted butter (room temperature)
225 g
powdered sugar (sifted)
360 g
cocoa powder (unsweetened)
90 g
heavy cream (cold)
120 ml
vanilla extract
5 ml
salt
2 g
Chocolate Ganache
dark chocolate (chopped)
200 g
heavy cream (hot)
240 ml
Instructions
Prepare oven and pans
Preheat oven to 175°C and prepare three 20cm round cake pans.
Mix dry ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
Add wet ingredients
Add buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
Add hot water
Carefully pour in hot water and stir until batter is smooth and thin. The batter will be very liquid.
Bake the cake layers
Divide batter evenly between prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool the cakes
Remove cakes from oven and let cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.
Prepare chocolate frosting
Beat butter until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa powder. Add heavy cream, vanilla, and salt, beating until light and fluffy.
Prepare chocolate ganache
Place chopped chocolate in a bowl. Heat heavy cream until just simmering, then pour over chocolate. Let sit 5 minutes, then stir until smooth and glossy.
Assemble the cake
Place first cake layer on serving plate. Spread with frosting, add second layer, repeat. Top with final layer and frost entire cake.
Add ganache topping
Pour cooled ganache over the frosted cake, allowing it to drip down the sides. Let set before slicing.
Original recipe
Storage
Store covered in refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before serving for best texture.
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