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–+ servings
Chocolate Layer Cake

Chocolate Layer Cake: The Ultimate Easy Recipe for a Decadent Treat

Indulge in the magic of Chocolate Layer Cake with this rich, moist recipe. Perfect for birthdays or celebrations, create a showstopping dessert everyone will love.
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Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Cooling and Chilling Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 10 people
Calories: 550kcal
Cost: $25

Equipment

  • Three 20 cm round cake pans
  • Big bowl
  • Whisk
  • Spatula
  • Saucepan

Ingredients

  • 2 cups wheat flour
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 3/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk or milk + 1 tablespoon vinegar
  • 1 cup hot coffee
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 400 g chopped dark chocolate for ganache
  • 300 ml heavy cream for ganache
  • 1 tablespoon butter optional, for ganache shine
  • 200 g pastry chocolate for grid topping

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 175°C (350°F) and grease three 20 cm round pans.
  • In a big bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  • Add the oil, eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk to the dry ingredients and mix until smooth.
  • Pour in the hot coffee and mix until combined; the batter will be thin.
  • Divide the batter evenly among the pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick.
  • While the cakes cool, heat the cream in a saucepan until it simmers.
  • Turn off the heat and stir in the chopped chocolate until glossy.
  • Let the ganache sit until it thickens slightly.
  • Trim the tops of the cooled cake layers if uneven.
  • Place the first layer on your serving plate and spread with ganache; repeat for second and third layers.
  • Coat the entire cake with a thin layer of ganache and freeze for 20 minutes.
  • Melt the pastry chocolate and pour it onto wax paper, marking a grid pattern with a ruler.
  • Let the chocolate grid harden, then wrap it around the cake or place squares on top.

Notes

Make sure to use high-quality chocolate for the ganache and grid to achieve the best flavor and texture. Sift cocoa powder to avoid lumps in the batter, and ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for better mixing. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge or frozen individually for later enjoyment. For a fun variation, consider adding crushed nuts to the ganache or fresh berries as garnish.

Nutrition

Calories: 550kcal | Carbohydrates: 70g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 220mg | Potassium: 300mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 40g | Vitamin A: 300IU | Calcium: 120mg | Iron: 2mg
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