Death by Chocolate Cake

Serves 1
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Directions

  1. 1Make the chocolate simple syrup by combining 0.5 cup of water and 0.5 cup of granulated sugar in a saucepan and heating until the sugar is fully dissolved.
  2. 2Mix in 1 tablespoon of dark cocoa powder into the simple syrup.
  3. 3Let the chocolate simple syrup cool while preparing other ingredients.
  4. 4Whisk together the dry ingredients: 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 2 cups of granulated sugar, 0.75 cup of dark cocoa powder, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, 1.5 teaspoons of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of fine salt.
  5. 5Combine the wet ingredients: 1 cup of warm water, 1 cup of sour cream, 0.5 cup of vegetable oil, 2 large eggs, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon of instant espresso.
  6. 6Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until smooth to form the cake batter.
  7. 7Pour the batter into lined and greased 8-inch cake pans (or two 9-inch cake pans).
  8. 8Bake the cake layers at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 22 to 26 minutes.
  9. 9While the cakes bake, prepare the chocolate frosting by mixing 2 cups of unsalted butter until fluffy.
  10. 10Add 1 cup of dark baking cocoa, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 0.5 teaspoon of salt to the butter and mix.
  11. 11Mix in 5 cups of powdered sugar and 0.75 cup of heavy cream on a low speed.
  12. 12Mix in 1.33 cups of melted and cooled dark chocolate into the frosting.
  13. 13Once the cake layers are cooled, brush them with the chocolate simple syrup.
  14. 14Spread an even layer of chocolate frosting onto each cake layer.
  15. 15Stack the cake layers with frosting in between each layer.
  16. 16Apply a thick layer of chocolate buttercream to the top and sides of the assembled cake.
  17. 17Decorate the cake with extra cake crumbs (optional step).
  18. 18Slice and serve the cake.

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

Equipment

SaucepanWhiskGlass bowlElectric mixer8-inch cake pansOvenBaking brushOffset spatula

Tips

  • For the simple syrup, heat water and granulated sugar until dissolved, then mix in dark cocoa powder and let cool.
  • When making the frosting, melt the dark chocolate at the beginning to allow it to cool down before mixing it in, preventing it from melting the butter.
  • To decorate the cake, you can use extra cake crumbs from leveling the cake layers, but this step is optional.
  • If you prefer the metric system, gram measurements are available on the creator's site.
  • The recipe is designed to be simple and straightforward, making it easy to assemble.

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