Description
Romantic chocolate dream cake delights couples with rich layers of passion. Rich ganache and delicate chocolate shavings complete this indulgent dessert perfect for sharing intimate moments together.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
- 1 ¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (65 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ tsps baking powder
- 1 ½ tsps baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp vinegar)
- ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
- 2 tsps vanilla extract
- 1 cup (240 ml) hot coffee (or hot water for a milder flavor)
- 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 ½ cups (300 g) powdered sugar, sifted
- ¾ cup (65 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream (plus more as needed)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Heart-shaped sprinkles
- Fresh strawberries or raspberries
- Chocolate shavings
Instructions
- Prepare Batter: Sift flour, cocoa, baking powder, salt, and sugar in a large mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution of dry ingredients.
- Blend Wet Ingredients: Whisk eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract in a separate container, creating a smooth, homogeneous liquid mixture.
- Combine and Develop Batter: Gently fold wet ingredients into dry components, then introduce hot coffee, stirring until a silky, liquid chocolate batter forms without overmixing.
- Bake Cake Layers: Grease two round cake pans with butter and line with parchment paper, pour batter evenly, and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool and Prepare Frosting: Allow cakes to cool completely on a wire rack, then cream butter until light and fluffy, gradually adding cocoa powder, powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract to create a smooth, spreadable chocolate frosting.
- Assemble and Decorate: Place first cake layer on a serving plate, spread a thick layer of frosting, top with second cake layer, and generously coat entire cake with remaining frosting, finishing with romantic embellishments like heart-shaped sprinkles, fresh berries, or chocolate shavings.
Notes
- Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold wet and dry ingredients to maintain cake’s tender crumb and avoid dense, tough texture.
- Coffee Temperature Matters: Use hot coffee at precise brewing temperature to enhance chocolate’s depth and create a rich, moist batter.
- Butter Consistency Check: Ensure butter for frosting is softened but not melted, achieving a fluffy, spreadable texture that pipes smoothly.
- Even Baking Technique: Center cake pans in preheated oven and rotate midway through baking to guarantee uniform heat distribution and perfect rise.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg