Death by Chocolate Cake

Ingredients

• 2 cup All-purpose flour
• 2 cup Granulated sugar
• 0.75 cup Unsweetened cocoa powder (High quality Dutch-processed recommended)
• 2 tsp Baking powder
• 1.5 tsp Baking soda
• 1 tsp Salt
• 2 Large eggs (Room temperature)
• 1 cup Buttermilk (Room temperature)
• 0.5 cup Vegetable oil (Or canola oil)
• 2 tsp Vanilla extract
• 1 cup Hot coffee (Freshly brewed)
• 1.5 cup Unsalted butter (Softened, for frosting)
• 4 cup Powdered sugar (For frosting)
• 1 cup Semi-sweet chocolate chips (For ganache and frosting)

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 6-inch or two 8-inch cake pans, and line the bottoms with parchment paper for easy removal.

2. 2

   In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined and no large lumps remain.

3. 3

   Add the eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Mix on medium speed with a hand mixer or stand mixer until the batter is smooth, about 2 minutes.

4. 4

   Reduce the mixer speed to low and carefully pour in the hot coffee. Stir by hand or on low speed until just combined. The batter will be very thin and liquid, which is normal.

5. 5

   Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

6. 6

   Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10-15 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

7. 7

   While the cakes cool, prepare the chocolate buttercream by beating the softened butter until creamy, then gradually adding powdered sugar and cocoa powder until fluffy. Stir in melted chocolate for extra richness.

8. 8

   Assemble the cake by layering the sponges with chocolate buttercream. Frost the outside of the cake and finish with a chocolate ganache drip and chocolate sprinkles or chips as shown in the video.

Notes

The hot coffee is essential as it 'blooms' the cocoa powder, deepening the chocolate flavor without making the cake taste like coffee. For the cleanest slices, chill the cake for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Nutrition per serving

• dessert
• cake
• chocolate
• birthday cake
• baking
• celebration