Description
Romantic “Chocolate Lover’s Dream” cake whispers sweet passion with rich layers of dark chocolate ganache and silky raspberry cream. Delicate hearts and elegant chocolate shavings promise an unforgettable dessert you’ll cherish this Valentine’s celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Dry Ingredients:
- 1 ¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (65 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
Cake Wet Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) buttermilk (or milk + 1 tablespoon vinegar)
- ½ cup (120 milliliters) vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) hot coffee (or hot water for a milder flavor)
Chocolate Frosting Ingredients:
- 1 cup (225 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 ½ cups (300 grams) powdered sugar, sifted
- ¾ cup (65 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup (60 milliliters) heavy cream (plus more as needed)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Garnish (Optional):
- Heart-shaped sprinkles
- Fresh strawberries or raspberries
- Chocolate shavings
Instructions
- Craft the cake foundation by sifting dry ingredients together in a spacious mixing vessel, ensuring a uniform blend of flour, cocoa, leavening agents, and sugar.
- Whisk liquid components in a separate bowl, creating a silky emulsion of eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla essence.
- Gently marry the wet and dry mixtures, folding with delicate strokes to prevent overmixing, then introduce steaming hot coffee to develop a luxurious, fluid batter.
- Prepare baking vessels by thoroughly coating with butter and parchment, then distribute the chocolate elixir evenly between two circular molds.
- Slide the pans into a preheated oven at 350F, allowing the cake to transform for approximately 35 minutes until a slender probe emerges cleanly when tested.
- Release the cakes from their metal confines, permitting them to rest momentarily before transferring to a cooling apparatus.
- Whip softened butter until it becomes cloud-like and ethereal, creating a foundation for the decadent frosting.
- Gradually incorporate cocoa and powdered sugar, alternating with cream, whisking to achieve a velvety, spreadable consistency enhanced with vanilla undertones.
- Construct the cake by positioning the first layer on an elegant serving platform, lavishing it with a generous chocolate cream mantle.
- Crown with the second cake layer, enrobing the entire creation in a smooth, sumptuous frosting blanket.
- Embellish with romantic accents like heart-shaped sprinkles, vibrant berries, or delicate chocolate curls to elevate the dessert’s visual allure.
Notes
- Choose high-quality cocoa powder for intense chocolate flavor that elevates the entire cake’s richness.
- Hot coffee deepens the chocolate taste and creates a super moist, tender crumb without adding coffee flavor.
- Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly, ensuring a silky, even cake batter with no lumps.
- Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent a tough, dense texture – stop stirring once ingredients are just combined.
- Use a kitchen scale for precise ingredient measurements, guaranteeing consistent cake results every time.
- For gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend, maintaining same measurements.
- Check cake doneness by gently pressing the center – it should spring back and not leave an indentation.
- Store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, keeping frosting fresh and cake moist.
- Refrigerate cake if using fresh berries as decoration to prevent quick spoilage and maintain fruit quality.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 45 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg