Cake Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- ¾ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup hot brewed coffee
- ½ tsp. kosher salt
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
For the Rich Chocolate Frosting:
- 450g unsalted butter, softened
- 2 ⅔ cups powdered sugar
- ⅔ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 130g semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled
For the Velvety Chocolate Whipped Cream:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup powdered sugar
For the Luscious Chocolate Ganache:
- 100g dark chocolate, chopped
- 100g heavy cream
Preparation Steps:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line three 8-inch cake pans with parchment.
- In a large bowl, combine eggs, oil, vanilla, sugar, cocoa powder, and buttermilk. Stir in the salt and hot coffee until smooth.
- Gently mix in the flour, baking powder, and baking soda until just incorporated.
- Divide the batter among the pans and bake for 25-30 minutes. Let cakes cool completely.
- For the frosting, whip butter until fluffy, gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa, then stir in melted chocolate until smooth.
- For the ganache, heat chocolate and cream until melted and whisk until it forms a silky ganache.
- For the whipped cream, whip all ingredients until stiff peaks form, being careful not to overbeat.
Assembly Instructions:
- Secure the first cake layer with a dollop of frosting.
- Apply a generous layer of buttercream on each cake layer, stacking them neatly.
- Crumb coat the cake and chill to set, then frost with remaining buttercream.
- Drizzle the ganache over the cake, creating a drip effect.
- Adorn the top with piped whipped cream using a 1M tip.
Baker's Wisdom:
- Coffee deepens the chocolate flavor without leaving its own taste.
- Ensure ingredients like eggs and butter are at room temperature for a smoother batter.
- Melting the chocolate for the frosting must be cooled to avoid melting the butter.
- Proper measuring of flour ensures a perfect cake texture.
- Allow the cake to cool before frosting to prevent it from crumbling or the frosting from melting.
Delight in this decadent chocolate cake, a perfect showstopper for any special occasion!
