Chocolate Buttermilk Layer Cake Food

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease two 9-inch cake pans, line with parchment paper, then grease the parchment paper. Parchment paper helps the cakes seamlessly release from the pans.
• Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and espresso powder (if using) together in a large bowl. Set aside. Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or you can use a whisk) mix the oil, eggs, and vanilla together on medium-high speed until combined. Add the buttermilk and mix until combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, add the hot water/coffee, and whisk or beat on low speed until the batter is completely combined. Batter is thin.
• Divide batter evenly between pans. Bake for 23-26 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Baking times vary, so keep an eye on yours. The cakes are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (Note: Even if they're completely done, the cooled cakes may *slightly* sink in the center. Cocoa powder is simply not as structurally strong as all-purpose flour and can't hold up to all the moisture necessary to make a moist tasting chocolate cake. It's normal!)
• Remove the cakes from the oven and set on a wire rack. Allow to cool completely in the pan.
• With a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy - about 2 minutes. Add confectioners' sugar, cocoa powder, 3 Tablespoons heavy cream, salt, and vanilla extract. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then increase to high speed and beat for 1 full minute. Do not over-whip. Add 1/4 cup more confectioners' sugar or cocoa powder if frosting is too thin or 1-2 more Tablespoons of cream if frosting is too thick. (I usually add 1 more.) Taste. Add another pinch of salt if desired.
• If cooled cakes are domed on top, use a large serrated knife to slice a thin layer off the tops to create a flat surface. This is called "leveling" the cakes. Discard or crumble over finished cake. Place 1 cake layer on your cake stand or serving plate. Evenly cover the top with frosting. Top with 2nd layer and spread remaining frosting all over the top and sides. I always use an icing spatula and bench scraper for the frosting. Garnish with chocolate chips, if desired.
• Refrigerate cake for at least 30-60 minutes before slicing. This helps the cake hold its shape when cutting.
• Cover leftover cake tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

CHOCOLATE BUTTERMILK CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180 C (350 F) standard / 160 C (320 F) fan-forced. Grease and line an 8-inch round cake pan with baking or parchment paper.
• In a large mixing bowl, add flour, cocoa powder, sugars, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Boil the kettle and pour out 1/2 cup of hot water and set aside.
• In a separate bowl, add butter, eggs, vanilla and buttermilk and stir briefly. Add butter mixture to dry ingredients and stir to combine. Add hot water and stir until chocolate cake batter is smooth. It will be a thin batter - that's ok.
• Place in the oven for 45-50 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean. Leave on a wire rack to cool completely.
• To make the frosting, place butter in a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until pale and creamy. Meanwhile melt the chocolate in a microwave, stirring in between 20 second bursts, until just melted and set aside.
• Add half the sugar and one tablespoon of milk and beat until combined. Add the remaining sugar and beat until smooth.
• Add melted chocolate, ensuring the chocolate is still smooth and melted but is not warm. Beat until the chocolate is completely mixed through. If frosting is too thick, add an extra tablespoon of milk. Generously frost the top and sides of the cake using a spatula. Sprinkle over chocolate chips.

CHOCOLATE BUTTERMILK LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease bottoms of three 8- or 9-inch-round cake pans; line with a parchment or wax paper circle. Grease parchment, then coat lightly with small amount of cocoa, tapping out excess.
• Sift flour, cup cocoa, baking soda and salt together into a large bowl. Combine buttermilk, coffee and vanilla extract in small bowl.
• Beat butter in large mixer bowl until smooth. Beat in sugar until smooth and creamy. Beat in eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down sides of bowl with rubber spatula; beat again. Alternately add flour mixture in three additions with the buttermilk mixture in two additions, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Scrape down sides of bowl; beat again. Pour batter evenly into prepared pans.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Invert each layer onto wire rack; remove parchment paper, then invert right-side-up. Cool completely.
• To assemble: Level (trim tops off) the cakes if desired using a serrated knife. Place a dollop of frosting in the center of a cake pedestal or serving platter so the cake won't slip. Tear four strips of parchment paper and place in a square around the outer 3 inches of pedestal (this will help prevent getting the frosting on the pedestal). Place one cake layer over dollop of frosting. Spread about 1 cup frosting over top; sprinkle top evenly with about 1/4 cup chopped Crunch bar. Top with another cake layer; spread with about 1 cup frosting. Sprinkle with remaining chopped Crunch bar. Top with third cake layer. Cover the top and sides with a thin layer of frosting (this is the "crumb coat"; it doesn't have to be perfect). Refrigerate for 15 minutes, then cover with the remaining frosting. With hands, press chopped Butterfinger around sides of cake. After the frosting has set, gently remove strips of parchment paper. Cut cake into slices for serving.

CHOCOLATE BUTTERMILK CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, grease and flour three 8x2 inch round pans
• In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa, baking powder, and baking soda. Set aside
• In another bowl, add the buttermilk, oil and vanilla. Set aside
• In the bowl of your mixer, add the softened butter and mix at medium speed until smooth. Gradually add the sugar and continue to mix on medium speed 3 to 5 minutes until lightened in color and fluffy.
• Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until the yellow of the yolk disappears.
• Alternately, add the flour mixture and buttermilk mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients (3 additions of dry and 2 of wet).
• Do not mix above medium speed or over mix the batter.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached. Let cool 5 to 10 minutes and turn out of pan.
• Chill the mixing bowl and beaters/ whisk attachment in the freezer for 10 minutes.
• Pour the whipping cream, powdered sugar and vanilla into the chilled mixing bowl, begin beating on low speed gradually increasing to medium high speed.
• The cream begins to thicken (approx. 1 1/2 minutes) and soft peaks form....peaks that slightly bend over. Watch closely as this happens quickly. Do not over beat.
• Use immediately as the whipped cream will gradually begin to deflate over time.
• Add butter and beat for approximately 1 min. on medium speed. Add vanilla and blend into the butter. Add powdered sugar and cocoa powder.
• Add most of the milk. Begin beating at low speed so you won't have a cloud of powdered sugar in your kitchen. Beat at medium speed 1 minute. Reduce speed to low and beat an additional two to three minutes, adding remaining milk as needed.

COCOA-BUTTERMILK LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Prep the cake materials: Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 350 F. Butter two 9 x 2-inch round cake pans with a pastry brush, dust the interiors with flour, tap out the excess and line the bottoms with rounds of parchment or wax paper. Put the pans on a baking sheet.
• For the cake: Whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. Beat the butter until soft and creamy in a stand mixer, preferably fitted with a paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl. Add the sugar and beat until it is thoroughly blended with the butter, about 2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl halfway through for even mixing. Add the eggs yolks one at a time, then the eggs one at a time, beating for 1 minute after each addition and scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla.
• Reduce the mixer speed to low. Beginning with the dry ingredients, alternate adding the dry ingredients and the buttermilk; add the dry ingredients in 3 portions and the buttermilk in 2. Mix only until each new batch is blended into the batter (i.e., do not overmix). Scrape down the bowl and, if you want, add the melted chocolate, folding it in with a rubber spatula. Divide the batter between the cake pans. Bake for 26-30 minutes, or until the cakes feel springy to the touch and start to pull away from the sides of the pans.
• For the chocolate malt buttercream: Add the chocolate and half the brown sugar to a heatproof bowl; set the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water to temper (melt) the chocolate and sugar, making sure the bowl doesn't touch the water. Meanwhile, whisk the malt powder and cocoa together in a small bowl; add 3 tablespoons of boiling water and whisk until smooth. Set aside.
• In the stand mixer, preferably fitted with the paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the butter on medium speed until soft and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the remaining brown sugar and beat until well blended, about 2-3 minutes. Beat in the salt and vanilla extract, then reduce the mixer speed to low.
• When the chocolate and sugar are melted, remove heatproof bowl from the saucepan. Whisking the melted chocolate gently, gradually pour in the malt-cocoa mixture and stir to thoroughly incorporate: it should be dark, smooth, and glossy. Add this chocolate mixture to the stand mixer and mix until smooth, pausing to scrape down the bowl. Still working on low speed, gradually add the confectioners' sugar. When all the sugar is in, raise the mixer speed to medium and beat for a couple of minutes. If the frosting is too thin, pop it in the fridge for a few minutes.
• Remove the cakes from the oven; transfer to racks and cool for about 5 minutes. Run a knife around the sides of the cakes, unmold them, and peel off the paper liners. Invert and cool to room temperature right side up. (Note: Once the layers are cooled, they can be wrapped airtight and left at room temperature overnight or kept frozen for up to 2 months.)
• Assemble the cake: Place one layer on a cardboard round or a cake plate protected by strips of wax or parchment paper. Frost the top of the layer, then cover with the second layer of cake. Frost the top and sides (optional) of the cake, smoothing the buttercream for a sleek look or using a spatula, knife, or spoon to swirl it for a more exuberant look. Remove the paper strips after the cake is frosted. Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour (or for up to 1 day, if that's more convenient) to set the frosting, then bring it to room temperature before serving.

CHOCOLATE BUTTERMILK CAKE

Steps:

• Grease three 9 inch cake pans. Line bottoms with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• In a small pan over low heat, combine 1cup chocolate chips and 1/4 cup water. Stir until chocolate chips have melted, and mixture is smooth. Allow to cool to room temperature.
• Sift together flour, soda and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, cream the butter or margarine with the sugar. Add vanilla. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in chocolate mixture. Stir flour mixture into creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk. Blend until smooth. Divide batter into three 9 inch pans, and smooth tops.
• Bake for 25 minutes, or until pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool cakes in pans for 10 to 15 minutes, then invert on wire racks; turn right side up to cool completely.
• Place 1 cake layer upside down on cake platter. Spread with 1/2 inch layer chocolate whipped cream. Repeat with another cake layer. Top with remaining cake layer. Frost with remaining cream.
• To Make Chocolate Whipped Cream Frosting: In small saucepan over low heat stir 1 cup chocolate chips, honey, 2 tablespoons water and 1/8 teaspoon salt until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth; cool completely. In medium bowl beat cream until it holds its shape. Gradually fold about 3 large tablespoons cream into chocolate mixture, then fold chocolate mixture into remaining whipped cream until blended.

CHOCOLATE BUTTERMILK LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray two 9-inch cake pans with nonstick spray, and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
• 2. Place flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cocoa powder in a large mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer, mix on low to combine. Keeping the mixer on low , add oil, buttermilk, then eggs one at a time. Add hot coffee in a thin stream, pouring down the side of the bowl. Add vanilla and mix until batter is smooth. Divide into pans and back until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs, about 30-35 minutes. Let cool in pans for at least 20 minutes.
• 3. Create a double boiler by filling a saucepan with 2 inches of water and bringing it to a boil. Place chocolate chips and cream in a stainless steel mixing bowl (I used glass) and set on top of simmering water, Allow mixture to melt-do not stir right away, When chocolate has melted, stir it with a whisk. Allow to cool at room temperature.
• 4. Remove cakes from pans. Place one layer of cake on a serving plate. Trim the top with a serrated knife to make it even (although I didn't find this necessary). Place a scoop of ganache in the middle and smooth it out to the edges using a palette knife or spatula. Trim the top off the other layer and place the untrimmed side down on the top of the frosted layer, pressing gently. Spoon more ganache on the top and smooth it around the sides, adding more ganache as needed to cover. If you need to apply a second coat of ganache, put the cake in the refridgerator for no more than 15 minutes to set before adding a second coat (although I found myself with a surplus of frosting). Makes a single 9-inch layer cake.

EASY CHOCOLATE BUTTERMILK LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°.
• Spray 2 (9-inch) round cake pans with non stick cooking spray, cut a piece of parchment paper the size of the bottom of each pan, place the paper in the pan and spray the top of the paper; set aside.
• In a medium bowl whisk together the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
• In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs, buttermilk, coffee, oil and vanilla until well blended.
• Add flour mixture to buttermilk mixture, beat until combined and there are not lumps (batter will be thin).
• Pour into prepared pans.
• Bake 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean..
• Cool in the pans 10 minutes, then remove from pans onto a wire rack to cool completely.
• To a large mixing bowl, add the melted chocolate, butter and salt.
• Beat until light and fluffy.
• In a small bowl whisk together the milk , coffee and vanilla.
• Add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time alternating with the milk mixture.
• Once all the ingredients have been added, beat on high 3 minutes or until the frosting is light, fluffy and air has been incorporated.
• Generously fill and frost the cake.

BUTTERMILK-CHOCOLATE CAKE RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Microwave chocolate chips in a microwavable bowl on MEDIUM (50%) power until melted, about 2 1/2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds. Stir until mixture is smooth. Cool 5 minutes.
• Beat sugar and butter with a heavy-duty stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on medium speed until well blended, 3 to 5 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition. Add melted chocolate, beating just until blended.
• Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Add to chocolate mixture in 3 additions, alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat on low speed just until blended after each addition. With mixer running on low speed, gradually add hot water in a slow, steady stream, beating just until blended. Add vanilla; beat on low until incorporated.
• Grease (with shortening) and flour 3 (8-inch) round baking pans. Line bottoms with parchment paper; lightly grease. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake in pre-heated oven until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 22 to 26 minutes. Cool in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks, gently remove parchment paper, and cool completely, about 1 hour.
• Place 1 cake layer on a cake stand. Top with 1 cup of the Swiss Meringue Buttercream. Spread to edges. Repeat with second cake layer and 1 cup of buttercream. Top with third cake layer. Frost top and sides of cake with remaining buttercream, using a small offset spatula to achieve a textured look. Garnish with Magnolia or Camellia Cake Toppers.

WHITE CHOCOLATE-BUTTERMILK LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• 1 . Heat oven to 350°F Grease and flour two 9- or 8-inch round pans. Place 3/4 cup of the white chocolate chunks in small microwaveable bowl. Microwave on Medium (50%) 1 to 2 minutes or until melted, stirring once halfway through cooking time. Stir until smooth.
• 2 . In large bowl, combine cake mix, buttermilk, vanilla and egg whites; beat at low speed about 30 seconds to mix. Gradually beat in melted butter. Drizzle melted white chocolate into bowl, beating at medium speed 2 minutes, thoroughly scraping side and bottom of bowl once halfway through beating. Spoon batter evenly into pans.
• 3 . Bake until tops spring back when touched lightly in center. Bake 9-inch pans 25 to 30 minutes, 8-inch pans 30 to 35 minutes. Cool cakes in pans 10 minutes. Remove cakes from pans; place on wire racks. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• 4 . Meanwhile, place remaining 1 1/2 cups white chocolate chunks in medium microwavable bowl. Microwave on Medium (50%) 3 to 6 minutes or until melted, stirring once halfway through cooking time. Stir until smooth. Cool completely, about 35 minutes.
• 5 . Place 1 cake layer on serving plate; spread with strawberry jam. Top with remaining cake layer.
• 6 . In medium bowl, beat cream cheese at medium speed until soft and fluffy. Add cooled melted white chocolate; beat until of soft spreading consistency. Immediately frost side and top of cake. Arrange strawberry halves on top of cake around edge. Store in refrigerator.

CHOCOLATE BUTTERMILK CAKE

Steps:

• Mix and blend all dry ingredients, except sugar.
• Cream sugar, oil, eggs, vanilla, and buttermilk until blended. Then gradually add the dry ingredients.
• Add the hot coffee by pouring a slow stream against the inside of the bowl while mixing. Batter will be thin.
• Pour into 2 or 3 greased and floured layer pans or a 9 x 13 in pan. Bake at 350 degrees approximately 20 -25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

THE MOST AMAZING CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly butter three 9-inch cake rounds. Dust with flour or cocoa powder and tap out the excess. Alternatively, you can lightly grease the pans and line with parchment paper.
• In a large mixing bowl, mix together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a stand mixer using a low speed until combined.
• Add eggs, buttermilk, warm water, oil, and vanilla. Beat on a low speed until smooth. This should take just a couple of minutes. Be sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl so that everything gets mixed in.
• Divide batter evenly amongst the three prepared pans, about 3 cups of batter per pan. Tap the cake pans gently on the counter to allow any bubbles to rise to the top and escape.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes in a 350 degree oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Cool on wire racks for 15 minutes and then remove the cakes from the pan and place on the wire rack to cool completely.
• Frost with your favorite frosting and enjoy!
• In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat together butter and cream cheese until fluffy, about 3 minutes.
• Add in cocoa powder and vanilla extract. Beat until just combined, about 30 seconds.
• Beat in powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time. Add milk as necessary to make a spreadable consistency. The frosting should be very thick and will thicken even more once refrigerated.
• Use frosting to frost and assemble cake, or transfer to a piping bag for decorating. Once frosted, this cake should be refrigerated, but can remain at room temperature for up to 4 hours.

CHOCOLATE BUTTERMILK LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 9 inch cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
• Add dry ingredients together in a mixing bowl and mix together on low. If using a stand mixer, keep on low while adding the oil, buttermilk and then the eggs, one at a time. Slowly pour in the hot coffee in a thin stream, down the side of the bowl. Finally, add the vanilla and mix until the batter is smooth.
• Divide the cake batter between the two cake pans and bake for about 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs. Let cool in pans at least 30 minutes.
• For the ganache: Use a double boiler with 2 inches of water in the bottom, bring the water to a boil. Add chocolate chips, cream and instant coffee powder to the top part of the double boiler. Let the chocolate melt, without stirring. Once chocolate appears melted, stir with a whisk to blend the ingredients. Let ganache cool to room temperature.
• Gently remove cakes from pans and use a serrated knife to even off the top of the cakes, if necessary. Place bottom half on a plate and place a scoop of ganache in the middle of the cake. Spread out the ganache to the edges of the cake using a knife or spatula. Place the top layer of the cake on top of the frosted layer, and repeat with more ganache smoothing it over the sides. Place the cake in the refrigerator for about ten minutes before adding a second layer of ganache.

MOM'S BUTTERMILK CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• For the cake: Lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch cake pan with butter. Combine the flour, sugar and baking soda in the bowl of a stand mixer or mixing bowl. Combine the butter, cocoa and 1 cup water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil while mixing. Add the cocoa mixture to the flour mixture, along with the buttermilk eggs and vanilla, and beat for 3 minutes. Pour into the prepared cake pan and bake until firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes in the pan before turning out on a rack to cool completely.
• For the frosting: Make the frosting as soon as the cake is out of the oven. Combine the butter, buttermilk and cocoa in a small saucepan and bring to a boil while mixing. Combine with the confectioners' sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat until smooth. Spread the frosting evenly on the cake.

BUTTERMILK CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• In a saucepan, bring butter, water and cocoa to a boil. In a bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add cocoa mixture; mix well. Combine buttermilk and vanilla; add to batter and mix well. Beat in eggs. Pour into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 23-27 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack., In a small saucepan over medium heat, cook and stir butter and cocoa until smooth. Remove from the heat. In a small bowl, combine confectioners' sugar, vanilla and salt. Add cocoa mixture and enough milk until frosting reaches desired consistency. Frost cake.

BUTTERMILK CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9x13 baking dish.
• Sift the flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Set aside.
• Using an electric mixer or a whisk, mix the vegetable oil, sour cream, eggs, buttermilk, vanilla extract, and sugar. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
• Pour the cake batter into the baking dish and bake for 26-28 minutes. Allow the cake to cool completely before frosting.
• To make the chocolate buttercream, mix the softened butter with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, and vanilla extract. Mix for 1 minute and then add the milk. Mix for 3-4 minutes or until fluffy.
• Frost the cake and decorate with sprinkles, if desired. Enjoy!

BUTTERMILK CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottoms of 2 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper and spray pans lightly with baking spray. Set aside.
• To the bowl of a stand mixer, add flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Whisk to combine and remove any lumps.
• In a separate mixing bowl, add buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs and vanilla, and whisk to combine.
• Turn stand mixer on LOW speed and slowly pour in wet ingredients, until just combined, scraping sides of the mixing bowl if necessary.
• Keep mixer on LOW speed and carefully pour in brewed coffee. Mix until just combined, scraping the sides of bowl again if needed.
• Pour batter into prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Remove cakes from oven and let cool in the pans for 30 minutes, then turn out gently onto cooling racks to continue cooling. Cool completely.
• Heat a small saucepan over MED heat, and add water and sugar. Stir until dissolved. Let simmer about 3 minutes or so, until thickened slightly. Stir in coffee extract and set aside to cool slightly.
• Add butter to bowl of a stand mixer and cream on MED-HIGH speed until butter is light and fluffy. Butter will be almost white in color.
• In a mixing bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, cocoa powder and salt, until no lumps remain.
• Add 1/2 of the sugar mixture to butter and beat until combined. Add half the cream and beat.
• Repeat with remaining sugar mixture and cream.
• Increase mixing speed to MED-HIGH and beat for 3-5 minutes until fluffy.
• Add bottom layer of cake to cake stand, drizzle with half of the coffee syrup. Let stand a minute, then spread a layer of buttercream frosting over the top.
• Top with second cake layer. Drizzle with remaining coffee syrup and let stand a minute.
• Frost top and sides of the cake. Decorate with chocolate covered espresso beans if desired.
• Refrigerate cake until ready to serve. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before eating.

RICH CHOCOLATE BUTTERMILK LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Grease bottoms of three 8- or 9-inch-round cake pans; line with a parchment or wax paper circle. Grease parchment, then coat lightly with small amount of cocoa, tapping out excess.
• SIFT flour, ¾ cup cocoa, baking soda and salt together into a large bowl. Combine buttermilk, coffee and vanilla extract in small bowl.
• BEAT butter in large mixer bowl until smooth. Beat in sugar until smooth and creamy. Beat in eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down sides of bowl with rubber spatula; beat again. Alternately add flour mixture in three additions with the buttermilk mixture in two additions, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Scrape down sides of bowl; beat again. Pour batter evenly into prepared pans.
• BAKE for 20 to 25 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Invert each layer onto wire rack; remove parchment paper, then invert right-side-up. Cool completely.
• TO ASSEMBLE: Level (trim tops off) the cakes if desired using a serrated knife. Place a dollop of frosting in the center of a cake pedestal or serving platter so the cake won't slip. Tear four strips of parchment paper and place in a square around the outer 3 inches of pedestal (this will help prevent getting the frosting on the pedestal). Place one cake layer over dollop of frosting. Spread about 1 cup frosting over top; sprinkle top evenly with about a quarter of the chopped candy bar. Top with another cake layer; spread with about 1 cup frosting. Sprinkle with another quarter of the chopped candy bar. Top with third cake layer. Cover the top and sides with a thin layer of frosting (this is the "crumb coat"; it doesn't have to be perfect). Refrigerate for 15 minutes, then cover with the remaining frosting. With hands, press remaining chopped candy around sides of cake. After the frosting has set, gently remove strips of parchment paper. Cut cake into slices for serving.

CHOCOLATE BUTTERMILK LAYER CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE PUDDING FROSTING

Steps:

• Make the cake:
• Line the bottom of 3 buttered 8-inch round (2-inch-deep) cake pans with wax paper, butter the paper, and dust the pans with flour, knocking out the excess. Into a bowl sift together the flour, the cocoa powder, the baking soda, the baking powder, and the salt. In a large bowl with an electric mixer beat together the sugar and the butter until the mixture is combined well, add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition, and beat in the vanilla. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the buttermilk in batches, beginning and ending with the flour mixture and beating well after each addition, divide the batter among the pans, smoothing the tops, and bake the layers in the middle of a preheated 350°F. oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a tester comes out clean. Let the layers cool in the pans on racks for 10 minutes. Run a thin knife around the edge of each pan, invert the layers onto the racks, and let them cool completely. The cake layers may be made 2 days in advance and kept chilled, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap.
• Make the frosting:
• In a heavy saucepan whisk together the sugar, the cornstarch, a pinch of salt, and the chocolate and whisk in the boiling water. Bring the mixture to a boil over moderate heat, whisking constantly, and simmer it, whisking, for 2 minutes. Whisk in the liqueur, transfer the mixture to a metal bowl, and with an electric mixer beat in the butter, beating until the butter is incorporated. Set the bowl in a larger bowl of ice and cold water and beat the frosting until it is light and holds soft peaks.
• Assemble the cake:
• On a cake stand arrange 1 cake layer, spread the top with some of the frosting, and top the frosting with a second cake layer. Spread the second layer with some of the remaining frosting and top the frosting with the remaining layer. Spread the side and top of the cake with the remaining frosting. The cake may be assembled 4 hours in advance and kept at room temperature.