Fudgy Devils Food Cake With Chocolate Ganache Frosting

DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE FUDGE FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottoms of two greased 9-in. round baking pans with parchment; grease paper., In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla and cooled chocolate. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, salt and baking powder; add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream and water, beating well after each addition., Transfer batter to prepared pans. Bake 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks; remove parchment. Cool completely., For frosting, in a small heavy saucepan, melt butter and chocolate over low heat. Remove from heat; cool 5 minutes. In a large bowl, beat confectioners' sugar, milk and vanilla until smooth. Gradually add chocolate mixture, beating until light and fluffy. Spread between layers and over top and sides of cake.

SUPER DECADENT CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE FUDGE FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°(F). Generously spray two 9-inch round baking pans with non-stick baking spray and set them aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl using an electric mixer, combine both sugars, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt on low until ingredients are thoroughly combined. Set aside.
• In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, yolk, sour cream, milk, oil and vanilla, beating until well combined. Add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and beat on low speed until just incorporated. Carefully add in hot coffee (or water) and continue beating until completely combined; about 1 minute. The batter will quite thin.
• Divide batter evenly into prepared pans.
• Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until wooden toothpick or cake tester inserted in the center of a cake comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.
• Cool cakes for 10 minutes in the pan (placed on top of a cooling rack) before removing from pans and transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
• Place the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl and place it over a pot of barely simmering water. Heat, stirring frequently, until the chocolate is completely melted. Remove the pan from heat, then carefully remove the bowl from the pot. Set chocolate aside to cool for a few minutes.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl using a handheld electric mixer, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy. Reduce the speed to low and gradually add the confectioner's sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition. Once all of the sugar has been added increase the speed to medium-high and beat for 2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla and melted chocolate and continue beating until well combined and creamy.
• Using a long serrated knife, level the top of each cake.
• Transfer one layer to a large plate or cake stand. Using a long offset spatula, spread a thick layer of frosting on top, then top with the second layer. Continue frosting the top and sides of the cake. Decorate with chocolate chips, sprinkles, chocolate shavings, or leave as is!
• Store in the refrigerator, loosely covered, for up to 2 days.

DARN GOOD CHOCOLATE CAKE ( CAKE MIX CAKE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Grease 2 9-inch round cake pans.
• Dust with flour and tap out the excess; set pans aside.
• Place the cake mix, pudding mix, sour cream, water, oil, and eggs in a large mixing bowl.
• Blend with an electric mixer on low speed for 1 minute.
• Stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• On medium low speed, continue to blend for 2-3 minutes more.
• The batter will be very thick and should look well combined.
• Pour batter into prepared pans and smooth it out.
• Bake for 27-32 minutes (since I switched pans, I started checking the cakes at 25 minutes-- it was like gooey chocolate pudding-- then 3 minutes later it was perfect.
• Another couple of minutes and I think it would have been dry, so keep an eye on your cakes.
• Allow to cool in the pans on a wire rack for 20 minutes.
• Now is the time to start preparing your frosting.
• Run a knife along the edges on the cakes pans and carefully remove cake by inverting it; allow to cool for 20 minutes more on the wire rack right side up.
• When the cake layers are completely cool, cut layers in half (save a domed layer for the top-- it makes your cakes look homemade) and frost.

DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE WITH PEPPERMINT FROSTING

Steps:

• For cake:
• Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 350°F. Butter two 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 2-inch-high sides. Dust pans with flour; tap out excess. Whisk first 4 ingredients in medium bowl to blend. Using electric mixer, beat sugar and butter in large bowl until well blended. Beat in eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in yolk. Add cocoa and beat until well blended. Add flour mixture in 3 additions alternately with ice water in 2 additions, beginning and ending with flour mixture and beating until just blended and smooth after each addition. Divide batter between prepared pans; smooth tops.
• Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Cool cakes in pans on racks 15 minutes. Invert cakes onto racks and cool completely. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Wrap in foil; store at room temperature.
• For dark chocolate ganache:
• Bring cream and corn syrup to simmer in medium saucepan. Remove from heat; add chocolate and whisk until melted and smooth. Transfer to small bowl. Chill until firm enough to spread, about 1 hour. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Before using, let stand at room temperature until soft enough to spread, about 30 minutes.
• For white chocolate cream:
• Place white chocolate in large heatproof bowl. Bring 1 cup cream to simmer in saucepan. Pour hot cream over white chocolate. Let stand 1 minute; whisk until smooth. Whisk in extract. Cover; chill until mixture thickens and is cold, at least 4 hours. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Chill.
• Add 2 cups chilled cream to white chocolate cream and beat until smooth and peaks form. DO AHEAD: Can be made 3 hours ahead. Cover and chill. Rewhisk to thicken, if necessary, before using.
• Using long serrated knife, cut each cake horizontally in half. Place 1 cake layer on platter, cut side up. Spread 1/3 of dark chocolate ganache over cake. Spoon 2 cups white chocolate cream in dollops over cake; spread evenly to edges. Top with second cake layer, cut side down; spread 1/3 of ganache over, then 2 cups white chocolate cream. Repeat with third cake layer, cut side up, remaining ganache, and remaining cream. Cover with fourth cake layer, cut side down. Chill while preparing frosting.
• For peppermint frosting:
• Combine sugar, 1/2 cup water, egg whites, and corn syrup in large bowl of heavy-duty stand mixer. Whisk by hand to blend well. Set bowl with mixture over saucepan of gently simmering water; whisk constantly with hand whisk until mixture resembles marshmallow creme and ribbons form when whisk is lifted, 8 to 9 minutes. Whisk in peppermint extract. Remove bowl from over water and attach bowl to heavy-duty stand mixer fitted with whisk attachment. Beat on high speed until mixture is barely warm to touch and very thick, 7 to 8 minutes.
• Using offset spatula and working quickly, spread frosting over top and sides of cake. Sprinkle chocolate curls over top and sides. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with cake dome; chill.

"TOP TIER" DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE WITH SOUR CREAM-FUDGE FROSTING

Steps:

• For cake:
• Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 350°F. Butter two 5-inch cake pans with 2-inch-high sides. Line bottom of pans with parchment paper; butter parchment. Combine cocoa powder and milk chocolate in medium bowl. Pour 1/4 cup boiling water over; whisk until mixture is smooth. Whisk in buttermilk.
• Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt in another medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat both sugars, oil, egg, and vanilla in large bowl until well blended. Add flour and cocoa mixtures; beat until blended (batter will be thin). Divide batter between pans.
• Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out with some crumbs attached, 28 to 30 minutes. Cool in pans on racks 15 minutes. Turn out onto racks; peel off parchment. Turn over; cool on racks.
• For frosting:
• Place chocolate in large metal bowl. Set bowl over saucepan of simmering water and stir until melted and smooth. Remove bowl from over water. Add butter and stir until melted, then add sour cream and corn syrup and whisk until smooth. Let frosting stand at room temperature until thick enough to spread, about 20 minutes.
• Using serrated knife, trim top of cakes to make level. Cut each cake horizontally in half. Place 1 cake layer, cut side up, on platter. Spread 1/4 cup frosting over, leaving 1/2-inch border. Top with second cake layer, cut side down. Spread 1/4 cup frosting over, leaving 1/2-inch border. Top with third cake layer, cut side up. Spread 1/4 cup frosting over, leaving 1/2-inch border. Top with remaining cake layer, cut side down. Spread 1/3 cup frosting over top and sides. Chill until frosting is set, about 30 minutes. Keep remaining frosting at room temperature.
• Spread remaining frosting evenly over top and sides of cake. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Cover with cake dome and store at room temperature.
• Arrange roses atop cake and serve.

CHOCOLATE GANACHE FROSTING FOR FUDGY DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Combine chocolate and corn syrup in a large heatproof bowl. Bring cream just to a simmer over medium-high heat; pour over chocolate mixture. Let stand, without stirring, until chocolate begins to melt.
• Beginning near the center and working outward, whisk melted chocolate into cream until mixture is combined and smooth. Continue to whisk until frosting just barely begins to hold its shape and is slightly lighter in color. Use immediately (frosting will continue to thicken after whisking).

DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour (or spray with baking spray) bottom and sides of three 8-inch round cake pans.
• In a large mixing bowl using an electric hand mixer, beat 3/4 cup butter, sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt a good 5 minutes on medium speed until very fluffy and light.
• In a separate bowl, whisk or sift together flour, 3/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder and baking powder until very well mixed and no lumps remain.
• Beat eggs (on medium speed) one at a time into butter mixture, beating well after each addition. Add one-third of flour mixture to batter, then add 3/4 cup milk, another third of the flour mixture, the remaining 3/4 cup milk and the 2 teaspoons vanilla, and the remaining flour mixture, stirring to combine after each addition and scraping sides and bottom of bowl occasionally with a spatula. Divide batter evenly between prepared pans.
• Bake cakes 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool cakes in pans on a cooling rack 10 minutes, then remove from cake pans and cool completely on cooling racks.
• Meanwhile, make the frosting: In a large mixing bowl using an electric hand mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat 1 cup butter on high speed 4 full minutes until pale, smooth and very creamy. Whisk or sift together powdered sugar and 3/4 cup cocoa powder until very well mixed. On low speed, gradually beat in sugar-cocoa mixture, then 1/2 cup milk, 2 teaspoons vanilla and pinch of salt. Beat on low speed 1 minute, then increase to medium-high speed and beat for a full 3 to 4 minutes until frosting is smooth, light, fluffy and creamy. Add more milk or powdered sugar to thin or thicken frosting as desired.
• Place one fully cooled cake layer on a cake stand or serving plate. Top with approximately 1 cup of frosting, in dollops; gently spread to cover entire top of cake layer. Top with second cake layer. Repeat process, topping and spreading with another approximately 1 cup frosting. Top with third cake layer. Frost top and sides of cake with remaining frosting. Cover with a cake dome or upside-down plate until ready to serve.

GEMMA'S BEST-EVER CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH WHIPPED DARK CHOCOLATE GANACHE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and butter two 8 or 9 inch (20 or 23 cm) round cake pans. Once buttered, line the bottoms of the pans with parchment, butter the parchment, and then flour the pans.
• In a bowl, combine cocoa powder, chopped chocolate, and hot coffee. Stir and let cool to room temperature.
• Once cool, thoroughly whisk in oil, sour cream, eggs, and vanilla. Set aside.
• In a separate bowl, mix together flour, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, or with a handheld mixer, cream butter, and sugar together for a few minutes.
• Add the chocolate mixture and blend until very well combined.
• Finally, add your dry ingredients in two or three increments, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl with each addition. Stop just as soon as the batter is evenly and thoroughly mixed, but take care not to overmix.
• Divide batter evenly into the cake pans and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Let cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes before inverting them onto a wire rack to cool completely.
• While the cake is baking, make the ganache: place the chocolate in a heatproof bowl.
• In a pan over medium heat, warm the cream until the edges just start to simmer.
• Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and let the cream sit in the bowl without stirring for 10 minutes.
• After 10 minutes, place a wire whisk in the center of the bowl and with small circles start to slowly stir the cream and the chocolate together.
• Once you see the ganache start to come together in the center, start widening your circle to incorporate the rest of the cream and chocolate.
• At this point, the ganache will be very thin. It will thicken as it cools. You can speed up the cooling by placing it in the refrigerator, making sure to stir it every 10 minutes.
• Once the ganache has cooled and reached the consistency of thick custard, it is ready to whip.
• Place the ganache in the bowl of a stand mixer (or use a handheld whisk), add the softened butter and whisk on high for about one minute, until light and fluffy. Take care not to overwhip the ganache or it will taste grainy.
• Once the cakes are cool and the ganache is whipped, you are ready to frost!
• Split each cake layer in half to create 4 layers.
• Place a spoon of ganache on your cake serving plate and place your first layer on top of that.
• Slide a few pieces of parchment or foil just under the edges to keep the plate clean.
• Stack your cake layers with about a ½ cup of ganache spread between each layer.
• Once your layers are stacked, you are ready for a crumb coat: frost the top and sides of the cake with a very thin layer of ganache and place in the refrigerator to firm up.
• Once cold and firm to the touch, you can lay your thick, decorative layer of frosting on the cake without worrying about loose crumbs ruining your design - have fun!
• When you are done frosting, carefully pull out the parchment or foil from under the cake and touch up the bottom if needed.
• Cakes can easily dry out in the refrigerator so unless it is very warm, this cake can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for 2 days. For longer storage, freeze the cake in an airtight container for up to two months. To defrost, leave at room temperature in the covered container for a few hours. Extra ganache can be refrigerated for up to two weeks or frozen in an airtight container for up to two months.

TWO LAYER CHOCOLATE FUDGE CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE GANACHE FROSTING

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350.
• 2. Lightly butter and flour two 8 inch cake pans.
• 3. Sift flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt into the bowl of a stand mixer, mix on low until combined.
• 4. In another bowl combine buttermilk, oil, eggs and vanilla thoroughly.
• 5. With the mixer on low slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry.
• .6. Once ingredients are combined add the coffee slowly with the machine still on low speed (the batter will look slightly liquidy).
• 7. Pour equal parts of the batter into the cake pans and put into the preheated oven.
• 8. Cook for 35-40 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
• 9. Once done let sit in cake pans for 30 minutes and then to finish cooling on a cooling rack.
• 10. Chop the chocolate into small shards and place into a food processor.
• 11. Warm cream in the microwave until it starts to simmer (DO NOT BOIL).
• 12. Pour cream over the chocolate and let it sit for 2 minutes and then pulse until smooth.
• 13. Let the ganache cool in the fridge for 15 minutes and then spread on the cakes.

FUDGY DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE GANACHE FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter two 9-by-2-inch round cake pans; line bottoms with parchment paper rounds. Butter parchment; dust with cocoa powder, tapping out excess.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together cocoa and hot water until smooth. Whisk in sour cream; let cool, then whisk in chocolate. Into a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and salt.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating to combine after each addition; scrape down sides of bowl as needed. Beat in vanilla. With mixer on low speed, add flour mixture in two parts, alternating with the cocoa mixture and beginning and ending with the flour; beat until combined.
• Divide batter between prepared pans (or muffin tins lined with paper liners); smooth with an offset spatula. Bake until a cake tester inserted in center comes out clean, 45 to 50 minutes (18 to 20 minutes for cupcakes).
• Transfer pans to a wire rack to cool 15 minutes. Invert cakes onto rack; peel off parchment. Re-invert cakes; let cool completely, top sides up.
• Using a serrated knife, trim tops of cake layers to level. Transfer a cake layer to a cake turntable or platter to frost. Using an offset spatula, spread 3/4 cup frosting on top. Set remaining cake layer into place.
• Spread remaining frosting over entire cake, swirling to coat. Serve immediately, or cover with a cake dome and refrigerate; let sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before serving.

GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Crack the eggs into a medium size saucepan and whisk to combine. Slowly pour in the evaporated milk, whisking it into the eggs as you pour. Add the brown sugar and salt and whisk to combine.
• Add the butter and set the pan over medium-high heat. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Turn the heat down to medium and continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the filling is slightly thickened, about 6-8 minutes.
• Pour the filling into a bowl and stir in the vanilla and coconut. Let cool to room temperature then cover and refrigerated until completely cool - at least 2 hours, and up to 3 days.
• Put the chocolate chips into a small bowl. Heat the cream in a saucepan or in the microwave until small bubbles start to appear around the edges. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir until the chocolate and cream are completely blended. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 3 days.
• Stir the toasted pecans into the filling.
• Place one layer of Devil's Food Cake onto a serving platter or cake plate. Spread the cake with 1/3 of the coconut pecan filling, spreading the filing to within a half inch of the edges of the cake. Top with a second layer of Devil's Food Cake. Spread the second layer with another third of the coconut pecan filling. Top with the third layer of cake and spread the top with the remaining filling.
• Drizzle the milk chocolate ganache over the top of the cake. If you're using frozen cake layers, let the cake sit out at room temperature for 1-3 hours before serving. The assembled cake can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Bring the cake to room temperature before serving.

DEVIL'S FOOD CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F/180 C.
• In a mixing bowl whisk together the cocoa powder, instant coffee, and hot water. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, brown sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda together.
• Add the butter, oil and the vanilla extract, eggs and coffee mixture and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes or until smooth.
• Divide the batter evenly between the two greased 8-inch/20cm round pans and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean.
• Take the pans out and put them on a wire rack for 5 to 10 minutes, before turning the cakes out to cool.