Directions
- 1To make the chocolate simple syrup, heat 0.5 cup of water and 0.5 cup of granulated sugar until the sugar is fully dissolved.
- 2Mix in 1 tablespoon of dark cocoa powder and let it cool.
- 3Whisk together the dry ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 cups granulated sugar, 0.75 cup dark cocoa powder, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1.5 teaspoons baking soda, and 1 teaspoon fine salt.
- 4Combine 1 cup warm water, 1 cup sour cream, 0.5 cup vegetable oil, two large eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon instant espresso.
- 5Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until smooth.
- 6Pour the batter into your lined and greased cake pan (three 8-inch cake layers or two 9-inch cake layers).
- 7Bake at 350° for 22 to 26 minutes.
- 8For the chocolate frosting, mix together 2 cups unsalted butter, 1 cup dark baking cocoa, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 0.5 teaspoon salt.
- 9Mix in 5 cups of powdered sugar and 0.75 cup of heavy cream on a low speed.
- 10Mix in 1 and 1/3 cups of melted and cooled dark chocolate.
- 11To assemble the cake, brush the cake layers with the chocolate simple syrup.
- 12Spread an even, thick layer of chocolate frosting between each cake layer.
Ingredients
- 0.5 cup water
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp dark cocoa powder
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 0.75 cup dark cocoa powder
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1.5 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp fine salt
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 cup sour cream
- 0.5 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp instant espresso
- 2 cups unsalted butter
- 1 cup dark baking cocoa
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 0.75 cup heavy cream
- 1.33 cups dark chocolate, melted and cooled
Equipment
cake pan
Tips
- Melt and cool the dark chocolate for the frosting before mixing it in to prevent it from melting the butter.
- Brushing the cake layers with chocolate simple syrup adds moisture.
- Leveling the cake layers is optional but provides extra crumbs for decoration.
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