Description
Indulgent chocolate lovers rejoice with this death by chocolate cake that promises pure bliss in every rich, velvety slice. Layers of moist chocolate cake, decadent ganache, and silky chocolate mousse create an irresistible dessert you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (260g / 9.2 oz)
- 2 cups granulated sugar (400g / 14.1 oz)
- 3/4 cup dark cocoa powder (75g / 2.6 oz)
- 1 cup dark cocoa powder (100g / 3.5 oz)
- 2 tsp baking powder (8g / 0.3 oz)
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda (9g / 0.3 oz)
- 1 tsp fine salt (6g / 0.2 oz)
- 1/2 tsp fine salt (3g / 0.1 oz)
- 5 cups powdered sugar (625g / 22 oz)
Liquid and Soft Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup water (120g / 4.2 oz)
- 1 cup warm water (240g / 8.5 oz)
- 1 cup sour cream, room temp (255g / 9 oz)
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (110g / 3.9 oz)
- 2 large eggs, room temp (112g / 4 oz)
- 2 cups unsalted butter, room temp (434g / 15.3 oz)
- 3/4 cup heavy cream (180g / 6.3 oz)
Flavor and Optional Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp dark cocoa powder (6g / 0.2 oz)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract (8g / 0.3
Instructions
- Craft the simple syrup by simmering water and sugar until dissolved, then whisk in cocoa powder thoroughly until smooth and glossy.
- Allow the simple syrup to cool completely to room temperature, which helps develop deeper flavor complexity.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and meticulously prepare three 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper and light butter coating.
- Sift together all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl, ensuring no lumps remain and ingredients are uniformly combined.
- In a separate bowl, blend wet ingredients until they create a smooth, cohesive mixture with consistent texture.
- Gently fold wet and dry ingredients together, mixing just until incorporated to maintain the cake’s delicate structure.
- Evenly distribute batter among prepared pans, spreading smoothly, and bake for 23-26 minutes until a toothpick emerges clean.
- Remove cakes from oven and let rest for 15 minutes, then carefully level layers using a serrated knife for even surface.
- Prepare buttercream by beating butter until creamy, then gradually incorporate cocoa, vanilla, salt, powdered sugar, and cream until luxuriously smooth.
- Melt chocolate and fold into buttercream, creating a rich, glossy frosting with intense chocolate flavor.
- Delicately brush each cake layer with prepared simple syrup to enhance moisture and depth of taste.
- Carefully stack layers, spreading buttercream between each, creating a stable and delectable tower of chocolate decadence.
- Generously coat entire cake with remaining buttercream, ensuring smooth and even coverage.
- Artfully press chocolate chips around cake sides for textural contrast and visual appeal.
- Finish by piping elegant decorative elements on top, transforming the cake into a stunning chocolate masterpiece.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients for smoother mixing and more even baking, ensuring a tender chocolate cake texture.
- Sift dry ingredients to prevent lumps and create a lighter, more delicate crumb that melts in your mouth.
- Brush layers with simple syrup to lock in moisture and add an extra layer of rich chocolate flavor, keeping the cake incredibly moist.
- For gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining the cake’s decadent chocolate essence.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 658
- Sugar: 54g
- Sodium: 339mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 73g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 57mg