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Monday, December 5, 2016

Sweet & Savory - Triple Layer Chocolate Lovers Delight



Calling all chocolate lovers!  This triple layer delight is sure to delight. It's a tad labor intensive to prepare, but well worth the time and effort.

CAKE INGREDIENTS:
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 1/4 cups flour
  • 1 tsp. salt, optional
  • 2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 cups hot water
  • 2 tsp. vanilla

INSTRUCTIONS:
  • Place cocoa powder in a 2 cup glass measuring cup.
  • Heat water to boiling and blend thoroughly with cocoa powder.  Set aside.
  • Mix butter until creamy.
  • Add granulated sugar and beat with mixer until thoroughly blended.
  • Fold in eggs.
  • In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder.
  • Add the flour mixture and cocoa powder/water mixture alternately to the butter mixture.
  • Mix at low speed on mixer until blended.
  • Add vanilla.
  • Pour batter into three 9 inch round cake pans that have been lined with wax paper which sides and bottoms have been sprayed with Baker's Joy or some other brand of non-stick baking spray with flour.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 24 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
  • Cool in cake pans on cooling racks for 10 minutes.
  • Remove cakes from pans.
  • Cool completely on cooling racks.

FILLING FOR BOTH LAYERS:
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar, approximately
  • 2 tsp. vanilla
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream

INSTRUCTIONS:
  • Whip heavy cream and vanilla until foamy as you gradually add the powdered sugar.
  • Whip until soft peaks form.
  • Chill while you prepare the frosting.

FROSTING;
  • 2 1/2 cups confectioner's sugar, approximately
  • 3/4 cup butter
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup half & half

INSTRUCTIONS:
  • Place butter, chocolate chips, and half & half in double broiler.  
  • Melt ingredients in double boiler using medium heat and stirring until well blended.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Add confectioner's sugar.
  • Place top of double broiler in a large bowl of ice water.
  • Mix at low speed with hand mixer until frosting starts to hold shape and loses its glossy texture.
  • You may need to add a titch more half & half to achieve the frosting spreading consistency you desire.

FINISHING THE CAKE:
  • Select your cake serving plate or platter.
  • Gently brush crumbs from each layer of the cooled cake.
  • Place first layer of cake onto platter.
  • Spread 1/2 of whipping cream mixture on top of first layer.
  • Place second layer of cake on top of whipped cream mixture.
  • Spread second layer with remaining whipped cream mixture.
  • Using a sturdy thin spatula, start on the sides of the cake, and spread frosting evenly all the way around the cake.
  • Spread remaining frosting on top of cake.
  • Chill prior to serving.
  • Refrigerate left over cake if you have any left over!

This is the perfect dessert for the holidays which will be a nice compliment to any entree.

If you are a chocoholic, I would love to hear your opinion regarding this cake recipe.

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