Double Chocolate Layer Cake Recipe - Food.com (2024)

• For cake layers

• 3 ounces fine-quality semisweet chocolate, such as callebaut
• 1 ¹⁄₂ cups hot brewed coffee
• 3 cups sugar
• 2 ¹⁄₂ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ¹⁄₂ cups unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch process)
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• ³⁄₄ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 ¹⁄₄ teaspoons salt
• 3 large eggs
• ³⁄₄ cup vegetable oil
• 1 ¹⁄₂ cups well-shaken buttermilk
• ³⁄₄ teaspoon vanilla

• For ganache frosting

• 1 lb fine-quality semisweet chocolate, such as callebaut
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• ¹⁄₄ cup unsalted butter

directions

• Make cake layers: Preheat oven to 300°F and grease pans.
• Line bottoms with rounds of wax paper and grease paper.
• Finely chop chocolate and in a bowl combine with hot coffee.
• Let mixture stand, stirring occasionally, until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth.
• Into a large bowl sift together sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• In another large bowl with an electric mixer beat eggs until thickened slightly and lemon colored (about 3 minutes with a standing mixer or 5 minutes with a hand-held mixer).
• Slowly add oil, buttermilk, vanilla, and melted chocolate mixture to eggs, beating until combined well.
• Add sugar mixture and beat on medium speed until just combined well.
• Divide batter between pans and bake in middle of oven until a tester inserted in center comes out clean, 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes.
• Cool layers completely in pans on racks.
• Run a thin knife around edges of pans and invert layers onto racks.
• Carefully remove waxed paper.
• Cake layers may be made 1 day ahead and kept, wrapped well in plastic wrap, at room temperature.
• Make frosting: Finely chop chocolate.
• In a 1 1/2- to 2-quart saucepan bring cream, sugar, and corn syrup to a boil over moderately low heat, whisking until sugar is dissolved.
• Remove pan from heat and add chocolate, whisking until chocolate is melted.
• Cut butter into pieces and add to frosting, whisking until smooth.
• Transfer frosting to a bowl and cool, stirring occasionally, until spreadable (depending on chocolate used, it may be necessary to chill frosting to spreadable consistency).
• Spread frosting between cake layers and over top and sides.
• Cake keeps, covered and chilled, 3 days.
• Bring cake to room temperature before serving.