Super Dark Chocolate Cake With Milk Chocolate Lavender Mousse Food

KITTENCAL'S SUPER MOIST ONE-BOWL DARK CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Set oven to 350 degrees F.
• Generously grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish (make certain you pan is well greased).
• In a large mixing bowl combine the flour with sugar, sifted cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon (if using).
• Add in eggs, cooled coffee, vanilla, half and half cream (or milk) oil and vinegar; mix until on medium speed of an electric mixer until blended and smooth (the batter will be thin).
• Pour into prepared baking pan.
• Bake for about 35-40 minutes or until cake tests done.
• Cool completely before frosting.

DARK CHOCOLATE MOCHA MOUSSE CAKE

Steps:

• Make the cake: Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Butter a metal 8-inch square cake pan. Line the bottom and sides of the pan with parchment paper; lightly butter the parchment. Combine the cocoa and espresso powders in a medium bowl. Heat the milk and butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until the milk is steaming and the butter melts. Whisk into the cocoa mixture; let cool to room temperature.
• Whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar with a mixer on medium-high speed until very pale, thick and pillowy, 5 to 8 minutes. Beat 30 to 45 more seconds to stabilize the egg foam.
• Reduce the mixer speed to low; beat in the cocoa mixture in 2 additions, alternating with the flour mixture in 2 additions. Beat just until the batter is smooth and no dry flour remains.
• Pour the batter into the cake pan and gently tap against the counter to eliminate any air bubbles. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes in the pan, then turn out the cake onto a rack. Peel off the parchment but let it rest gently on top of the cake while it cools completely. Wipe the cake pan clean and reserve.
• Make the ganache: Combine 1/2 cup heavy cream, 4 ounces chocolate and 1 tablespoon butter in a small saucepan. Gently cook over medium-low heat, stirring, until melted and smooth. Let cool.
• Make the mousse: Combine the remaining 4 tablespoons butter and 4 ounces chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring, until melted and smooth. Whisk in the cocoa powder until smooth. Let cool.
• Meanwhile, combine 1/4 cup heavy cream and the gelatin powder in a small microwave- safe bowl. Let stand until the gelatin absorbs the liquid, about 5 minutes, then microwave until melted, 20 to 30 seconds, whisking. Let cool, stirring occasionally.
• Combine the remaining 1 1/4 cups heavy cream, the sugar and espresso powder in a large bowl. Beat with a mixer on medium speed to dissolve the sugar, about 1 minute. Stream in the cooled gelatin mixture, then increase the speed to medium high and beat until the mixture is thick and stiff peaks form. Fold in the cooled chocolate mixture in 2 or 3 batches until the mousse is well blended.
• Assemble the cake: Line the reserved cake pan with 2 crisscrossed strips of parchment paper (this will help you lift out the finished cake). Carefully slice the cake horizontally into 3 equal layers. Lay the best layer cut-side up in the bottom of the pan and brush with some of the chocolate liqueur, if using. (Use a plate or small cutting board to move the layers; if your top cake layer is domed, use it for the middle of the cake.) Evenly spread half of the mousse on top with an offset spatula, all the way to the edges. Top with a second cake layer. Brush again with chocolate liqueur, then spread half of the ganache evenly on top. Add the final cake layer, cut-side up, and brush with the remaining liqueur. Top with the remaining mousse and ganache. (The assembled cake should fill the pan.)
• Refrigerate the cake until the top is set, about 30 minutes, then wrap the whole cake pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to set completely.
• Lift the cake out of the pan using the parchment pieces and transfer to a cutting board. Using a hot, dry serrated knife, slice the cake, wiping the knife in between cuts for clean edges.

SUPER DARK CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH MILK CHOCOLATE LAVENDER MOUSSE

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350°F.
• Lightly grease three 8" round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray and line with parchment paper rounds and lightly grease the tops of the paper in the pans.
• Sift together flour, cocoa, espresso, salt and baking soda.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the whip attachment, beat the eggs, vanilla and sugar on high speed until thickened and light in color, about 3 minutes.
• Gradually add oil and continue to mix until evenly combined.
• Next, reduce speed of mixer to low and gradually add dry ingredients and coffee, alternating between the two until fully combined.
• Scrape down sides of bowl and mix until batter is smooth.
• Divide the batter evenly among the cake pans and bake until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, about 25 minutes.
• For the Milk Chocolate Lavender Mousse.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the whip attachment, beat the heavy cream until soft peaks form.
• Transfer to a large bowl and refrigerate until ready to use.
• In a heatproof bowl, set over a pot of simmering water, melt the milk chocolate chips.
• Remove the heat and let stand at room temperature until ready to use.
• In the clean bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the whip attachment, beat the egg yolks on medium speed.
• Meanwhile, in a small pot, cook the sugar, corn syrup, water, vanilla, and salt, until the mixture reaches 220 F on an instant-read thermometer.
• Immediately remove the pot from the heat and slowly pour over the egg yolks, with the stand mixer running.
• Increase the speed of the mixer to high and whip until light, fluffy, about tripled in volume and cooled to room temperature.
• Remove the bowl of whipped egg yolks from the mixer, add the melted milk chocolate and quickly fold until smooth.
• Gently fold the whipped cream into the mousse. Add the lavender oil, to taste, and fold until evenly incorporated. Makes 4 cups.

MILK-AND-DARK-CHOCOLATE MOUSSE CAKE

Steps:

• Make the chocolate génoise:
• 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter a 9-inch round cake pan. Dust the pan with flour and tap out the excess.
• 2. Whisk together the flour and cocoa powder in a medium bowl; set aside.
• 3. Fill a pot one-third full with water and bring to a simmer. Combine the eggs and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer. Place the bowl over the simmering water and whisk until the mixture is warm to the touch. Transfer the bowl to the mixer stand and, using the whisk attachment, beat on medium speed until the mixture triples in volume and forms a thick ribbon when the whisk is lifted, about 8 minutes. Using a large rubber spatula, gently fold in the flour mixture. Fold in the melted butter. Scrape the batter into the pan and smooth the top.
• 4. Bake the cake for 20 to 25 minutes, until it has pulled away from the side of the pan and the top springs back when lightly touched. Cool the cake in the pan for 10 minutes. Unmold the cake on a rack and cool completely, right side up.
• Make the milk and dark chocolate mousses:
• 5. In the bowl of an electric mixer, using the whisk attachment, beat 2 1/2 cups (580 grams) of the heavy cream to soft peaks. Scrape half of the whipped cream into a medium bowl. Cover both bowls and refrigerate.
• 6. Put the milk and dark chocolate in two separate medium bowls. Bring the remaining 1 cup (232 grams) cream to a boil in a small saucepan. Pour 1/2 cup (116 grams) of the hot cream over the milk chocolate and the remaining 1/2 cup (116 grams) over the bittersweet chocolate. Gently whisk the milk chocolate until it is completely melted and the mixture is smooth. Whisk the dark chocolate until smooth.
• 7. Let the chocolate mixtures cool for 10 minutes. Fold the milk chocolate mixture into one bowl of whipped cream. Fold the dark chocolate into the remaining whipped cream.
• Make the sugar syrup:
• 8. Combine 1/4 cup (59 grams) water and the sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Let the syrup cool to room temperature.
• Assemble the cake:
• 9. Using a serrated knife, slice the cake horizontally in half. Cup a strip of parchment paper to line the inside of a 9x4-inch cake ring. Line the mold with the strip and place it on a serving plate. Place a 9-inch cardboard cake round in the bottom of the cake ring. Place the bottom cake round, cut side up, in the ring. Brush the cake generously with the sugar syrup. Scrape the dark chocolate mousse onto the cake and smooth it into an even layer. Top with the second cake round, cut side down. Brush the cake generously with syrup. Scrape the milk chocolate mousse onto it, smoothing it into an even layer. Chill the cake for at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours.
• 10. To unmold the cake, lift it off the plate, holding it with your palm against the cardboard round. Using a hairdryer or warm damp towel, briefly warm the cake ring mold. Lift off the ring mold and peel off the parchment strip. Allow the cake to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.