Chocolate Raspberry Mocha Layer Cake Food

CHOCOLATE-RASPBERRY CAKE

Steps:

• Cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat three 8-by-2-inch round cake pans with cooking spray. Line bottoms with parchment. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. In another large bowl, beat butter with sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, 3 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in liqueur. Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture in three batches, alternating with buttermilk in two batches. Beat to combine, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Beat in melted chocolate.
• Divide batter evenly among prepared pans, smoothing tops with an offset spatula. Bake, rotating pans halfway through front to back and top to bottom, until a tester inserted in centers comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Let cakes cool in pans on a wire rack 10 minutes. Run a small sharp knife around edges, then invert onto rack. Remove parchment and let cool completely, about 25 minutes. With a serrated knife, trim tops of cakes so they're level.
• Filling: While cakes are baking, stir together 3 cups raspberries, sugar, salt, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan. Cook over high, stirring frequently and mashing with the back of a spoon, until mixture comes to a boil, 2 minutes. Continue to cook, stirring, until mixture thickens and clings to spoon, 7 to 8 minutes more. (You should have 1 1/3 cups.) Let cool 30 minutes. Stir in 2 cups raspberries, reserving remainder.
• Spread half of filling over one cake. Top with second layer; spread remaining filling over top. Top with final layer, cut-side down. Refrigerate, covered, at least 1 hour and up to overnight. Spread frosting over top and sides of cake. Garnish with remaining raspberries.

RASPBERRY MOCHA TORTE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat egg yolks and 1/2 cu sugar until thicken and lemon-colored. In a small bowl, beat the egg whites on medium speed until soft peak form. Gradually beat in remaining sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, on high until stiff peaks form. Gently fold into egg yolk mixture along with the flour., Divide batter among three waxed paper-lined ungreased 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks., In a small saucepan, whisk the sugar, eggs, yolks and coffee granules. Add chocolate. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture reaches 160° and coats the back of a metal spoon. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Cool. In a small bowl, cream butter. Gradually beat in cooled chocolate mixture until smooth., To assemble, place one cake layer on a serving plate; spread with half of the mocha filling. Top with another cake layer; spread with raspberry jam. Place remaining cake on top; spread with the remaining mocha filling. Refrigerate for 3 hours. Garnish with raspberries and mint if desired.

MOCHA RASPBERRY CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350ºF. Butter two 9-inch round cake pans, and dust with flour, tapping out excess.
• Combine flour, sugars, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the bowl of a mixer. Mix on low. Add eggs, buttermilk, coffee, oil, and vanilla. Beat on medium speed until smooth and completely combined.
• Divide batter evenly among pans. Bake until cakes are set and a toothpick inserted into the center of each comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Let cool in pans set on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Turn out cakes onto racks, and let cool completely.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with paddle attachment (or any large mixing bowl, if using hand-held beaters), beat the butter on medium-high speed until creamy, about 3-5 minutes. Add the raspberry jam and beat to combine. Turn the mixer down to low speed, and add the powdered sugar. Beat until smooth. Cover and set aside until ready to use.
• Place room temperature butter and vanilla into a stand mixer and beat at medium-high for about three minutes.
• Add cocoa, instant coffee and salt to the bowl beat into the butter until the coffee has broken down and the mixture is smooth, 1-2 minutes.
• Add in one cup of the powdered sugar. Turn mixer on to low and then slowly add in remaining powdered sugar.
• With mixer still on low, slowly drizzle in the heavy cream. Turn mixer to medium high and mix for 2-3 minutes, or until light and fluffy.
• On a cake plate or board, place one cake layer. Spread raspberry buttercream filling evenly on top of the cake using an offset spatula.
• Carefully place the other cake layer top-down on the frosting, so the top is flat. Adjust the cake so that the sides are lined up evenly.
• Frost the entire outside of the cake with a thin layer of the chocolate mocha buttercream. Place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to lock in the crumb coat.
• Frost the cake as desired, and arrange raspberries on top of the cake. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.

RASPBERRY CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• TO MAKE THE RASPBERRY FILLING:
• Combine the sugar, cornstarch and water in a medium-sized saucepan over medium heat and stir to combine. Heat until the mixture is wet and the sugar begins to melt.
• 2. Add the raspberries and stir to coat with the sugar mixture.
• 3. Continue to cook until the raspberries start to soften and let out juice. Use your spatula to mash the raspberries.
• 4. Remove from heat when raspberry juice has begun to thicken, after about 5 minutes. Pour the mixture into another bowl and refrigerate until cool. TO MAKE THE CAKE LAYERS:
• Preheat oven to 350°F (176°C) and prepare three 8 inch cake pans with non-stick baking spray and parchment paper in the bottom.
• . Add the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt to a large mixer bowl and combine. Set aside.
• . Add the milk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract and eggs to a medium sized bowl and combine.
• . Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and beat until well combined.
• . Slowly add the hot water to the batter and mix on low speed until well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to make sure everything is well combined.
• 0. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans and bake for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
• 1. Remove cakes from oven and allow to cool for 2-3 minutes, then remove to a cooling rack to finish cooling. TO MAKE THE CHOCOLATE FROSTING:
• p id="instruction-step-13″>12. Add the butter to a large mixer bowl and beat until smooth.
• 3. Add the melted chocolate and mix until well combined.
• 4. Add the cocoa powder and mix until well combined.
• 5. Add about half of the powdered sugar, salt and half of the heavy cream and mix until well combined.
• 6. Add the remaining powdered sugar and mix until smooth.
• 7. Add the remaining heavy cream as needed to get the right consistency of frosting. TO MAKE THE GANACHE AND FINISH THE CAKE:
• p id="instruction-step-19″>18. To make the chocolate ganache, add the chocolate chips to a medium sized bowl (see my tips on making chocolate ganache).
• 9. Heat the heavy whipping cream in the microwave until it just begins to boil. Keep an eye on it because it happens quickly.
• 0. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips and let it sit for 2-3 minutes, then whisk until smooth. Set aside.
• 1. To layer the cake, first use a large serrated knife to remove the domes from the tops of the cakes so they are flat. See my tips on how to level a cake and how to stack a cake.
• 2. Place the first cake layer on a serving plate or on a cardboard cake circle.
• 3. Pipe a dam around the outside of the cake layer with some of the chocolate frosting.
• 4. Spread about 1/4 cup of chocolate ganache on top of the cake, in the center of the dam.
• 5. Drop spoonfuls of the raspberry filling (use about half of the raspberry filling per layer) over the chocolate ganache and then spread into an even layer.
• 6. Add the second layer of cake, then repeat steps 23 thru 25.
• 7. Add the third and final layer of cake on top.
• 8. Frost the top and outside of the cake with the remaining chocolate frosting.
• 9. Use the remaining chocolate ganache to drizzle chocolate around the edges of the cake, then fill in the center. If the ganache has gotten a little firm from sitting, just reheat for a few seconds until pourable again. See my tips on making a chocolate drip cake.
• 0. Pipe swirls with the remaining chocolate frosting around the top of the cake, then decorate with additional raspberries and chocolate sprinkles, if desired. Refrigerate the cake until ready to serve. The cake is best when served at room temperature and holds up well for 4-5 days when well sealed in an air tight container. *You'll need about 2 pints of raspberries for the filling and decor.

BEST CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY TORTE

Steps:

• Line three 9-in. round baking pans with waxed paper; grease and flour the pans and paper. Set aside., In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, salt and baking powder; add to the creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition., Transfer to prepared pans. Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, in a small heavy saucepan, melt chips and butter over low heat. Transfer to a large bowl; cool for 5 minutes. Stir in sour cream. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth., For filling, in a small bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add the preserves, sugar and liqueur; beat until stiff peaks form., Cut each cake horizontally into two layers. Place bottom layer on a serving plate; spread with 1/2 cup filling. Top with another cake layer and spread with 1/2 cup frosting. Repeat layers. Top with another cake layer, 1/2 cup filling and remaining cake layer. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake., For drizzle, place chips and butter in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream just to a boil. Pour over chocolate; whisk until smooth. Place mixture in a heavy-duty resealable plastic bag; cut a small hole in a corner of bag. Pipe a lattice design over top of cake, allowing some drizzle to drape down the sides. Decorate with chocolate curls and raspberries as desired. Refrigerate leftovers.

MOCHA CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with coffee and sour cream, beating well after each addition. , Pour into three greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 30-35 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Beat in the chocolate, coffee and vanilla until blended. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar. Spread between layers and over top and sides of cake. Cover and refrigerate until serving.

CHOCOLATE-RASPBERRY ANGEL FOOD TORTE

Steps:

• Split cake horizontally into four layers. In a large bowl, beat the cream, confectioners' sugar and cocoa until stiff peaks form., To assemble, place one cake layer on a serving plate; spread with a third of the raspberry jam. Repeat layers twice. Top with remaining cake layer. Spread frosting over top and sides of cake. Chill until serving. Just before serving, garnish with raspberries and mint leaves.

CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY MOCHA LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Blend granulated sugar with vegetable oil. Add water and vanilla and stir well.
• In a seperate bowl, mix flour, baking soda, salt and cocoa.
• Measure out soy milk and stir in instant coffee.
• Add flour mixture gradually to oil and sugar mixture, alternating with soy milk. (Don't over mix)
• Pour into 2 oiled 9 inch pans and bake 40 minutes at 350°F.
• When cake is baked, remove from pans and cool on a wire rack.
• When cool to the touch, spread the raspberry jam over one of the layers. Top with second layer and ice with Easy Chocolate Icing, recipe # 424521.

CHOCOLATE VANILLA TUXEDO CAKE WITH RASPBERRY WHITE CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350F with rack in the center.
• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 2-9 inch cake pans with butter. Place a round piece of parchment paper on the bottom of one of the pans and grease again. Sprinkle a few teaspoon of flour over the butter and shake to cover the parchment paper evenly. Shake out the excess flour. Repeat with other pan.
• Whisk together the dry ingredients (sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt)in a large bowl.
• In a large bowl or bowl of stand mixer whisk eggs till slightly thickened and a pale color.Add in the buttermilk, vanilla, oil and vinegar and whisk/beat well.
• Add in the melted and cooled chocolate and whisk/beat until combined well
• Either add the flour mixture into the wet ingredients OR the wet into the flour and mix just to combine. Add in the boiling water and mix again just to combine. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula to make sure all the dry ingredients are incorporated.
• Divide batter evenly between two prepared cake pans spreading the batter to pan walls and smooth tops with a spatula. Place pans next to each other on a center rack of the oven.
• Bake until thin skewer or toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 23 to 25 minutes.
• Let cakes rest in pans for 10 minutes. Loosen from sides of pans with a knife, if necessary, and invert onto wire racks. Let cool another 20 min. Carefully wrap the cakes in plastic wrap and place in resealable baggies and freeze completely
• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 2-9 inch cake pans with butter. Place a round piece of parchment paper on the bottom of one of the pans and grease again. Sprinkle a few teaspoon of flour over the butter and shake to cover the parchment paper evenly. Shake out the excess flour. Repeat with other pan.
• Combine the room temperature buttermilk, egg whites, whole eggs and vanilla extract in a measuring cup and stir well to combine.
• Combine the cake flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in bowl of a stand or electric mixer at low speed until well mixed. Keeping the mixer on low add the butter in one table spoon at a time until mixture resembles very fine crumbs.
• Add all but 1/2 cup of milk mixture to the flour mixture and raise speed to medium speed for about 1 1/2 minutes. Add remaining 1/2 cup of milk mixture and beat 30 seconds more. Stop mixer and scrape sides of bowl. Return mixer to medium speed and beat 20 seconds longer.
• Divide batter evenly between two prepared cake pans spreading the batter to pan walls and smooth tops with a spatula. Place pans next to each other on a center rack of the oven.
• Bake until thin skewer or toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 23 to 25 minutes.
• Let cakes rest in pans for 10 minutes. Loosen from sides of pans with a knife, if necessary, and invert onto wire racks. Let cool another 20 min. Carefully wrap the cakes in plastic wrap and place in resealable baggies and freeze completely.
• For the Raspberry Filling:
• Place the thawed raspberries, sugar and lemon juice in a sauce pan, bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and stir occasionally until reduced and thickened, about 8 minutes. Transfer to an airtight container and chill completely before use. If seedless puree is desired, pour the hot puree from the pan into a strainer set over a bowl. Scrape the puree and press against the bottom of the strainer with a spatula to pass the seedless puree into the bowl. Stop to rinse the spatula and scrape the puree off the underside of the strainer. Keep scraping and pressing until all the puree is in the bowl and only seeds are left in the strainer. Chill completely before use.
• For the Raspberry Buttercream:
• Separate the egg whites into the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the wire whip/whisk attachment
• Combine the sugar, salt and water into a 1-quart, heavy- bottomed saucepan. Stir to combine. Clip on a candy thermometer and heat the mixture over medium-high. After about 5 minutes turn the mixer on high speed, begin whipping the egg whites to stiff peaks, lower the mixer to medium speed. Raise the heat under the sugar syrup to bring the syrup to 245°F. When the syrup is at 245°F, immediately remove from heat, remove the thermometer and slowly pour the syrup into the meringue, while the whisk is still mixing on medium, being careful not to splatter.
• After 1 to 2 minutes increase the mixer speed to medium-high for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the meringue is cooled. The bowl should feel cool to touch. This takes about 7 minutes. Lower the speed to medium and add the butter 1 tablespoon at a time. It might look soupy but keep mixing. Increase the mixer speed to high for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the butter is fully incorporated. Switch to the paddle attachment. Add in the melted and cooled white chocolate Add in the raspberry puree a few tablespoons at a time with the mixer on low, stopping to scrape down the sides as necessary. Taste and add more puree if desired. Keep at room temperature if using the same day. If not, keep chilled in an airtight container and thaw at room temp before using. Transfer to a mixer and mix on low to rewhip the buttercream.
• For the Ganache:
• Chop the chocolate and place in a bowl.
• Heat the cream in a saucepan over medium heat until steaming and small bubbles form around the edges. Pour the cream over the chocolate and let sit 5 minutes. Slowly stir the mixture until smooth, do not mix fast or whip. Add in the honey. Let cool about 15 minutes until slightly thickened before using. You don't want it to runny or to firm
• For assembly:
• Unwrap one cake at a time, thaw for about 10 minutes and then carefully cut in half with a sharp long knife. Repeat with all layers making 8 thin cake layers.
• Place one layer half on a cake circle on top of a cake plate or cake turntable. Spread a ¼" thick even layer of buttercream with an offset spatula. Place another cake half on top. Pipe a ¼' thick circle of buttercream around the edges. Spread a very thin layer of the buttercream in the middle. Spoon in some of the raspberry filling until there is an even layer, about 3-4 tbsp. Place another cake layer on top. Repeat alternating layers of chocolate and vanilla cakes, the buttercream only filling and the thin buttercream and raspberry filling. Ending with a layer of cake and make sure the layers are all even. Chill about 20 minutes. Once the cake is slightly chilled spread a thin, even layer of buttercream with an offset spatula around and on top the cake. This is the crumb coat. Chill again 20-30 minutes. Finished frosting the cake with the remaining buttercream in an even layer around the sides and top, smoothing as you go. To make it super smooth heat an offset spatula in hot water, dry off and go around the sides in the same manner as the buttercream. It doesn't have to be perfectly smooth. Chill again to set the buttercream. Once the buttercream is set, spread the ganache over the top with a small offset slowly making your way to the edges of the top and push a little of the ganache over at a time in random places to let it drip down the sides. You can vary the length of the drips with how much ganache you spread over. It will firm up. To cut perfect slices have the cake completely chilled, and heat up a long sharp knife. I keep the knife in a pot of boiling water. Wipe the blade dry and slice down from the top, once at the bottom pull the knife straight back towards you. Rinse the knife off and heat again. Dry and finish cutting the slice. Use a pie or cake server to carefully remove the slice from the cake. Repeat with remaining slices. Serve cake at room temperature.

CHOCOLATE-RASPBERRY POLKA DOT CAKE

Steps:

• Line three 9-in. round baking pans with waxed paper; grease and flour the pans and paper. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350°., Dissolve cocoa in boiling water; cool. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in cocoa mixture and vanilla. In a small bowl, combine buttermilk and water; set aside. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk mixture, beating well after each addition., Transfer to prepared pans. Bake 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely., For ganache, place chocolate in a small bowl. Bring cream just to a boil; pour over chocolate. Whisk until smooth. Stir in extract. Chill. Beat chocolate mixture until soft peaks form, about 15 seconds., For raspberry cream, place raspberries in a food processor, cover and process until blended. Strain raspberries, reserving juice. Discard seeds. Gently fold juice into whipped cream., Cut each cake horizontally into two layers. Place one cake layer on a serving plate; spread with 1 cup raspberry cream. Top with another cake layer; spread with half of the ganache. Repeat raspberry and ganache layers. Top with another cake layer; spread with remaining raspberry cream. Top with remaining cake layer. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until set., For glaze, in a microwave, melt chocolate, butter and corn syrup; stir until smooth. Stir in extract. Cool slightly, stirring occasionally. Pour over cake., For garnish, in a microwave, melt candy coating in separate bowls; stir until smooth. Tint half of the white coating using blue coloring if desired. Pipe or spoon melted coating onto waxed paper in different sized circles; let stand until set. Press circles onto cake. Refrigerate cake until serving.

MOCHA LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• In large mixing bowl, cream butter and brown sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla.
• Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with coffee and sour cream.
• Pour into three greased and floured 9-inch round baking pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
• Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool.
• In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy.
• Beat in the chocolate, coffee and vanilla until blended. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar. Spread between layers and over top and sides of cake.
• Cover and refrigerate until serving.

MOCHA LAYER CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE-RUM CREAM FILLING

Steps:

• For filling and topping: Stir first 3 ingredients in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves and cream comes to simmer.
• Remove from heat.
• Add 20 ounces chocolate; whisk until melted and smooth.
• Whisk in rum and vanilla.
• Transfer 1 cup warm chocolate mixture to small bowl; whisk remaining 2 ounces chocolate into mixture in bowl and set aside for topping.
• Cover; let stand at room temperature.
• Transfer remaining chocolate mixture to large bowl to use as filling; chill until cold and thick, at least 6 hours and up to 1 day.
• For syrup: Stir water and sugar in small saucepan over low heat just until sugar dissolves.
• Remove from heat; mix in rum.
• Cover and let stand up to 1 day.
• For cake: Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Butter 9x9x2-inch metal baking pan.
• Line bottom with waxed paper; butter paper.
• Combine vanilla and coffee powder in cup; swirl to dissolve coffee.
• Sift flour, cocoa, and baking soda into small bowl.
• Using electric mixer, beat egg yolks and 1/2 cup sugar in medium bowl until very thick and light in color, about 3 minutes.
• Beat in vanilla-coffee mixture.
• Using clean dry beaters, beat egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt in large bowl until soft peaks form.
• Gradually add remaining 1/4 cup sugar, beating until stiff but not dry.
• Fold 1/3 of whites into yolk mixture.
• Fold in half of flour mixture.
• Fold in half of remaining whites, then remaining flour mixture, then remaining whites.
• Transfer batter to prepared pan; gently spread to even thickness.
• Bake cake until puffed and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 18 minutes.
• Cool in pan on rack (cake may shrink slightly).
• Cut around pan to loosen cake.
• Turn out onto work surface; peel off paper.
• Using long serrated knife, cut cake horizontally in half.
• Place 1 half, cut side up, on platter.
• Drizzle half of syrup (about 3 1/2 Tablespoons) over cake.
• Using electric mixer, beat cold chocolate filling until thick and lighter in color, less than 1 minute.
• Spread all of filling evenly over cake layer, aligning with sides of cake (filling will be about 1 inch thick).
• Drizzle remaining syrup over cut side of second cake layer.
• Place second layer, syrup side down, atop filling; press to adhere.
• Rewarm topping over low heat just until pourable.
• Pour topping onto top center of cake.
• Using small spatula, spread topping to edges, being careful to keep it from spilling over.
• Chill cake up to 1 day, covering loosely with foil or with cake dome after 2 hours of chilling.
• Cut cake into 16 squares and serve.

CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY TORTE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F
• Grease and flour two nine inch round cake pans.
• In a large bowl beat together sugar, butter, vanilla, and eggs. Beat until well blended. In another bowl mix together cocoa, flour, baking powder and baking soda. Add milk and flour mixture alternately with butter and sugar mixture . Beat together until combined. Pour into cake pans and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. When finished baking let the cakes cool for 10 minutes in the pan. After they have cooled for 10 minutes remove from pans and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon creme de cacao. Let cake cool completely.
• While cake is cooling prepare whipped cream filling. Add all Filling ingredients (except pie filling!) Whip until stiff.
• Cover bowl and refrigerate.
• After cakes have fully cooled. Carefully split each cake into 2 horizontal layers. Place one layer on your serving plate. (I find it easier to lay the split side down to help avoid crumbs when spreading the whipped cream mixture.) Add 1/2 the whipped cream mixture and spread until the top of the layer is covered. (Do not cover sides with whipped cream mixture) Add the next layer of cake. Split side up. (helps hold raspberry) Add about 1/2 of the can of raspberry pie filling. Spread around the top side of the layer only. (I also find it helpful to go close to the edge but not all the way , so that when the next layer goes on the raspberries aren't running down the side of the cake) Add the next layer of cake split side down. Add the remaining 1/2 of whipped cream mixture. Spread mixture the same as you did the first. Add last layer of cake split side down. Add ganache to top layer.
• Ganache.
• In a sauce pan combine chocolate (broken into pieces) Whipping cream, and butter. Cook over low heat stirring constantly, stir until mixture is melted and smooth. Stir in creme de cacao. Let mixture cool slightly. Put mixture on the top layer.(I put it all in the center and then slowly spread it to the edges. After spreading chocolate but before the mixture cools I decoratively place the fresh raspberries on top. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

DECADENT QUINTUPLE CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• CAKE:.
• 1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
• 2. In large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, chocolate pudding mix, sour cream, oil, eggs, and water. Mix well. Add mini chocolate chips, stir.
• 3. Butter 2 8-inch round cake pans and divide batter equally. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until cakes test done. (Stick a toothpick in near the middle and see if it comes out clean. Watch out, if you hit a chocolate chip you may think it's not finished baking when it is!).
• 4. Allow cakes to cool about 15 minutes before turning out of pans to cool completely (at least 1 hour).
• GANACHE:.
• 1. Once cakes are in oven, begin ganache. (This give it enough time to set.) Dump the Ghirardelli milk chocolate chips, 2 tbsp butter, and 1 tsp vanilla into a blender or food processor.
• 2. In a small saucepan, heat 1 cup of the heavy cream and granulated sugar until boiling. Stir constantly, being careful not to burn it.
• 3. Once it begins boiling, pour cream mixture over chocolate chips in blender or food processor. Mix until smooth.
• 4. Place ganache in a covered container and refrigerate until cool and desired consistency.
• MOUSSE:.
• 1. In mixing bowl, combine 2 tbsp softened butter, 8 oz softened cream cheese, 3/4 c of the powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, and 1/8 tsp salt. Mix at medium speed until smooth.
• 2. Melt 2/3 c chocolate chips in the microwave, about 20 seconds at a time, stirring between each time. They are done when you can stir them completely smooth.
• 3. Add melted chocolate to cream cheese mixture, mixing until fluffy and incorporated, about 1 minute.
• 4. In a separate mixing bowl, combine 1/4 c powdered sugar and 1 tbsp vanilla pudding mix. The pudding mix stabilizes your whipped cream and keeps it from falling or weeping! Add remaining 1 c heavy whipping cream and beat until stiff peaks form. (It should look like whipped cream.).
• 5. Scrape whipped cream into chocolate cream cheese mixture and fold gently to incorporate, stirring gently as needed to combine all ingredients.
• ASSEMBLY:.
• 1. Split cake layers horizontally so that you have 4 layers. Place first layer on cake tray or stand. Divide your mousse into three equal parts.
• 2. Place one third of your mousse in the center of the cake layer. Gently spread it out to the edges to cover.
• 3. Slice some raspberries in half (from top to tip) and cover the mousse with halved raspberries.
• 4. Place next cake layer on top of raspberries.
• 5. Repeat steps 2-4 until you have placed the top layer on the cake.
• 6. Check on your ganache. You want it to have a soft frosting consistency. If it has not set firm enough yet, you can set your container in a bowl of ice water (be careful not to get water in the ganache!) to set faster. If it has set too firm, microwave for 5-10 seconds at a time and stir before microwaving any more.
• 7. Scoop ganache a little at at time on the center of your top layer and spread outwards and down to cover top and sides of cake.
• 8. Place whole raspberries in a ring around top of cake to decorate.
• 9. You may wish to refrigerate your cake a short time before serving to help set ganache and stabilize mousse, or serve immediately. This is a cake to slice THIN. Enjoy!