# Death by Chocolate Cake

A rich and decadent three-layer chocolate cake with chocolate simple syrup and chocolate buttercream frosting.

- Cuisine: American
- Category: Baked Goods
- Language: en

## Ingredients

- 0.5 cup water
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon dark cocoa powder
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 0.75 cup dark cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1.5 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon fine salt
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 cup sour cream
- 0.5 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon instant espresso
- 2 cups unsalted butter
- 1 cup dark baking cocoa
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 0.75 cup heavy cream
- 1.33 cups dark chocolate (melted and cooled)

## Instructions

1. Combine 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup granulated sugar in a saucepan.
2. Heat the mixture until the sugar is fully dissolved.
3. Mix in 1 tablespoon of dark cocoa powder.
4. Pour the simple syrup into a jar to cool.
5. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 cups granulated sugar, 3/4 cup dark cocoa powder, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1.5 teaspoons baking soda, and 1 teaspoon fine salt.
6. In a separate bowl, combine 1 cup warm water, 1 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 2 large eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon instant espresso.
7. Whisk the wet ingredients together until well combined.
8. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
9. Whisk until the cake batter is smooth.
10. Line and grease 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
11. Divide the batter evenly into the prepared cake pans.
12. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 22 to 26 minutes.
13. While cakes bake, prepare the chocolate frosting by mixing 2 cups unsalted butter, 1 cup dark baking cocoa, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
14. Mix in 5 cups of powdered sugar and 3/4 cup of heavy cream on low speed.
15. Add 1 1/3 cups of melted and cooled dark chocolate to the frosting mixture.
16. Mix until smooth and well combined.
17. Brush the cooled cake layers with the prepared chocolate simple syrup.
18. Spread an even layer of chocolate frosting on the first cake layer.
19. Place the second cake layer on top and repeat the brushing and frosting steps.
20. Place the third cake layer on top and repeat the brushing and frosting steps, covering the top and sides of the cake with a thick layer of frosting.
21. Decorate the cake with extra cake crumbs (optional).
22. Slice and serve the cake.

## Equipment

- saucepan
- spatula
- whisk
- mixing bowls
- measuring spoons
- measuring cups
- kitchen scale
- 8-inch cake pans
- parchment paper
- oven
- electric mixer
- cake stand
- offset spatula
- pastry brush
- knife

## Tips

- Melt dark chocolate for frosting at the beginning to allow it to cool down and prevent melting the butter.
- For assembly, brush cake layers with chocolate simple syrup for added moisture.
- Skip the crumb coat and apply one thick layer of chocolate buttercream for a simple and easy frosting process.
- Cake layers bake up pretty flat, but can be leveled if desired, and extra crumbs can be used for decoration.

## Source

- Original video: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8ykee14/
- Recipe page: https://www.cliprecipe.com/recipe/6c0fbdce-7d76-41a5-b93b-f9c9cb0a6c83
- Extracted: 2025-12-20

Extracted from the video by Clip Recipe (https://www.cliprecipe.com). Quantities and steps are as stated or shown in the video. Site guide for agents: https://www.cliprecipe.com/llms.txt