Chocolate Layer Cake With Frosting Recipes

CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE WITH MILK CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Steps:

• Make cake:
• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F. Butter 2 (9- by 2-inch) round cake pans and line bottom of each with a round of parchment or wax paper. Butter paper and dust pans with flour, knocking out excess.
• Sift together flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt into a small bowl. Beat together butter and sugars in a large bowl using an electric mixer at medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes in a standing mixer or 4 to 5 minutes with a handheld. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add chocolate and vanilla and beat until just combined. Reduce speed to low and add flour mixture and buttermilk alternately in 3 batches, beginning and ending with flour mixture and mixing until just combined.
• Divide batter between cake pans, spreading evenly, and bake until a wooden pick or skewer inserted in center of each cake layer comes out clean, 25 to 35 minutes.
• Cool cake layers in pans on racks 10 minutes. Run a thin knife around edge of each layer, then invert onto racks. Peel off paper and cool layers completely.
• Make frosting:
• Heat milk in a 1- to 1 1/2-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat until hot. Whisk together yolks, flour, 1/3 cup confectioners sugar, and a pinch of salt in a bowl, then add hot milk in a stream, whisking. Transfer custard to saucepan and bring to a boil over moderate heat, whisking. Reduce heat and simmer, whisking, 2 minutes (mixture will be very thick), then transfer to a large bowl. Cover surface of custard with a buttered round of wax paper and cool completely, about 45 minutes.
• Add vanilla and remaining cup confectioners sugar to custard and beat with cleaned beaters at moderate speed until combined well, then increase speed to medium-high and beat in butter, 2 tablespoons at a time, until smooth. Add chocolates and beat until combined well.
• Frost cake:
• Halve each cake layer horizontally using a long serrated knife. Layer cake, using a heaping 1/2 cup frosting between each layer, then frost top and sides with remaining frosting.

CHOCOLATE LITTLE LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease three 9-inch cake pans and line with rounds of parchment or waxed paper.
• In a mixer, cream together butter, sugar and shortening until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Beat in eggs one at a time and continue to mix on medium until eggs are well incorporated. Stir in vanilla.
• Sift flour, then add salt, baking soda and baking powder. Sift a second time. With mixer on low, alternately add flour mixture and milk in about 4 additions, then increase speed to medium. Beat until smooth, about 4 to 5 minutes, scraping down sides of bowl.
• Spread 3/4 cup batter in each pan. Bake 6 to 8 minutes, or until cake springs lightly when pressed with a finger. Flip cake out of pan onto paper towels or cake rack while still very warm. Repeat with second set of layers.
• When first layers go into oven, start to make icing. Put sugar and cocoa in a deep, heavy-bottomed saucepan and mix well. Turn heat to medium-high and add butter and milks, bringing to a boil. Boil for about 4 minutes, stirring continually, careful to watch that it does not boil over. Lower heat to simmer, add vanilla and stir occasionally for another 7 to 10 minutes. If using a candy thermometer, cook to the point just before soft ball stage or about 230 degrees.
• Begin icing first layers, still warm, when second batch is in the oven. Flip layers over so that top side faces up. Use about 4 tablespoons of icing per layer. Icing will be thin but will firm up as it cools. Stack layers, then continue icing and stacking as layers are baked.
• When all layers are iced and stacked, glaze top and sides of cake. Contours of layers will be visible through icing. If icing hardens too much while frosting cake, set back on low heat and stir until it is spreadable.

YELLOW LAYER CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Generously butter two round 9-inch cake pans, and line bottoms with parchment or wax paper. Sift cake flour, baking powder and salt together.
• Using a stand mixer, beat egg yolks on high for 5 minutes. With mixer still running, gradually add 1 cup sugar and continue beating until thick, light yellow ribbons form in bowl, about 5 minutes more, scraping bowl two or three times. Beat in the vanilla and lemon extracts. Sift flour mixture over batter and stir it in by hand until blended. Add melted butter, and stir until completely incorporated.
• In a large, clean bowl, and using the mixer's whisk attachment, beat egg whites and cream of tartar together on high until frothy. Gradually add remaining 1/3 cup sugar, and continue beating until whites are stiff but not dry. Stir 1 cup of whites into batter, then gently fold in remaining whites until blended. Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake until golden and center springs back when lightly touched, about 25 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes, then remove from pans and cool completely.
• For macaroon crunch: Toss nuts and coconut together, and spread on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees until golden and crunchy, 10 to 15 minutes, tossing twice. Set aside to cool.
• For chocolate frosting: Sift the confectioners' sugar, cocoa and salt together. Using a stand mixer, cream together the butter and margarine on high until light yellow and slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. With mixer still running, add corn syrup and vanilla. Reduce speed to low and add sugar mixture in two batches, beating well after each. Blend in 3/4 cup cream until frosting is a spreading consistency, adding more if needed. Increase speed to high and beat until light and creamy, about 2 minutes more; there will be about 8 cups of frosting. Spoon about 1 cup into a pastry bag fitted with a medium star tip.
• For assembly: Using a long serrated knife, cut each cake horizontally into two equal layers. Spread first layer with about a fifth of frosting, then place second layer on top of it and frost it, too. Repeat with third and fourth layers. Frost sides with all remaining frosting except what is in pastry bag. Pat macaroon crunch on sides of cake (not top) until covered. Using frosting in pastry bag, pipe 6 rosettes on top of cake. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate, allowing cake to stand at room temperature for about an hour before slicing.

TRIPLE-LAYER CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream the butter, shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa and baking soda; add to the creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition. Fold in coconut and pecans., Pour into three greased and floured 9-in. round baking 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 large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add the confectioners' sugar, cocoa, vanilla and salt; beat until smooth. Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake. Store in the refrigerator.

CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour 3 (9-inch) cake pans. Cut 3 circles of waxed paper or parchment paper to fit the bottoms of the pans, then press them in.
• In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or using a hand mixer), cream the butter until smooth. Add the sugar and eggs and mix until fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the vanilla, cocoa, baking soda and salt and mix. Add 1/2 of the flour, then 1/2 of the sour cream and mix. Repeat with the remaining flour and sour cream. Drizzle in the hot coffee and mix until smooth. The batter will be thin. Pour into the prepared pans and bake until the tops are firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (a few crumbs are okay), about 35 minutes. Halfway through the baking, quickly rotate the pans in the oven to ensure even baking, but otherwise try not to open the oven. Let cool in the pan 10 minutes. Turn out onto wire racks and let cool completely before frosting.
• Frosting: In a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Drizzle in the melted chocolate and mix. Add the coffee and vanilla and mix. Add the sugar, 1 cup at a time, mixing after each addition. Mix until well blended and fluffy. To frost the cake, use a spatula to cover 2 of the cake layers with frosting. Stack them together. Flip the third cake layer over and rest it on the top to create a very flat top for the cake. Frost on the sides and top. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE WITH FROSTING

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350ºF.
• Spray 2 (9-inch) round pans with cooking spray; cover bottoms with parchment. Beat 1-1/2 cups butter and granulated sugar in large bowl with mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each. Add 2 tsp. vanilla and half the melted chocolate; mix well. Add flour, nuts and baking powder; beat until blended. Blend in boiling water. Pour into prepared pans.
• Bake 30 to 35 min. or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 min. Invert cakes onto wire racks; remove pans. Carefully peel off paper on top of cakes. Cool cakes completely.
• Meanwhile, beat remaining butter, remaining vanilla, powdered sugar and milk in large bowl with mixer until creamy. Add remaining melted chocolate; beat until fluffy.
• Stack cake layers on plate, filling layer with half the frosting. Frost top with remaining frosting. Top with silver sugar pearls.

CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Position a rack in the center of the oven. Grease the cake pans with 1 tablespoon butter, then dust with 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, tapping out any extra. Set aside.
• In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and remaining 1 1/2 cups cocoa powder. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the sugar and remaining 3 sticks butter on medium speed until light and fluffy, 5 to 8 minutes. Add the vanilla, then beat in the eggs one at a time. On low speed, add the salt directly to the wet ingredients, then add half of the flour mixture and mix until just combined. Add the sour cream and mix until just combined. Remove the bowl from the mixer and gently incorporate the remaining flour mixture with a rubber spatula. Do not overmix. Fold in the chocolate chips.
• Spread half of the batter in each of the prepared pans. Tap the pans lightly on the counter so that the batter settles. Place the pans on the center rack of the oven and bake until a tester or small knife inserted in the center emerges clean, 40 to 50 minutes. Cool for at least 30 minutes. Unmold onto a rack. Cool to room temperature, 1 1/2 to 2 hours more.
• Mix together the bourbon and the simple syrup in a bowl. Set aside.
• For the frosting: In a medium pot, bring the heavy cream to a simmer. In a medium oven-safe bowl, combine the chocolate and sugar. Place the bowl on top of the pot with the heavy cream to melt. Once the cream is simmering, pour it over the chocolate mixture and stir until all of the chocolate has melted and you have a glossy ganache. Gently stir in the vanilla, followed by the butter pieces. Set aside to let cool to room temperature.
• Transfer the chocolate mixture to the clean bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whip the frosting for 1 to 2 minutes to lighten the texture.
• Put the cake layers on a baking sheet fitted with a wire rack. Using a pastry brush, brush about half the bourbon mixture on each cake layer. Frost the top of the bottom layer, then stack the other layer on top. Frost the top and sides of the cake.

CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottoms of 2 greased 9-in. round baking pans with parchment; grease parchment., In a large bowl, beat sugar, water, oil, vinegar and vanilla until well blended. In another large bowl, whisk flour, sifted cocoa, baking soda and salt; gradually add to sugar mixture, beating until smooth., Transfer batter to prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 30-35 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks; remove parchment. Cool completely., For frosting, sift confectioners' sugar and cocoa together. In a large bowl, beat butter and vanilla until blended. Beat in confectioners' sugar mixture alternately with enough milk to reach desired consistency. Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of cake.

CHOCOLATE-FLECKED LAYER CAKE WITH MILK CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter two 8-inch round cake pans, and line with parchment. Butter paper, and flour pans. Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
• Beat together butter and sugars with a mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in yolk and eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture in 3 additions, alternating with sour cream and milk, beginning and ending with flour. Fold in chocolate.
• Divide batter between pans, and spread evenly with an offset spatula. Bake until deep golden brown and a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, about 40 minutes. Let cakes cool in pans 20 minutes. Invert cakes, remove pans and parchment, and let cool completely, right side up, on wire racks.
• Cut each cake in half horizontally with a serrated knife. Place 1 bottom layer on a platter or cake stand, and spread evenly with 3/4 cup frosting. Repeat with a second layer and another 3/4 cup frosting. Place third layer on top, and spread with another 3/4 cup frosting. Place fourth layer on top. Spread entire cake with remaining frosting (about 2 3/4 cups), smoothing top and sides. Serve immediately, or refrigerate, uncovered, up to 2 days; if refrigerated, let cake come to room temperature before serving.

THREE-LAYER CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH IRISH COFFEE FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line three 8-inch round cake pans with parchment paper, then spray with baking spray. Place a large aluminum mixing bowl in the freezer.
• Place chocolate in the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Stir frequently, scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching, until chocolate is melted, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.
• Sift flour, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl. Whisk hot coffee and cocoa together in a separate bowl until smooth; stir in buttermilk.
• Cream brown sugar, butter, and vanilla extract in a large bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating briefly after each addition. Mix in cooled chocolate. Add flour mixture in 2 batches, alternating with buttermilk mixture, beating batter briefly after each addition. Divide batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Run a table knife around the edges to loosen. Invert carefully onto a serving plate or cooling rack and remove parchment paper. Let cool, about 30 minutes.
• Flip cakes over and trim the top of each one to make it flat. Drizzle 1/4 cup cream liqueur over each cake and allow to soak in while you make the frosting.
• Remove aluminum bowl from the freezer; add heavy cream and instant coffee granules. Beat with an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment until soft peaks start to form. Add powdered sugar and whisk until medium peaks form. Add pudding mix gradually on low speed. Fold in cream liqueur. Taste and adjust with more powdered sugar, if needed.
• Place one cake on a serving plate, top with 1/3 of the fudge sauce, and spread a generous layer of coffee frosting on top; repeat with the second layer. Add the remaining cake and top with remaining fudge sauce. Crumb-coat the sides of the cake lightly with frosting.
• Fit a pastry bag fitted with a large round tip and fill with frosting. Pipe 1 vertical line of dots from the bottom to the top edge of the cake. Place a spoon over the center of each dot and drag to create a petal effect, wiping the spoon clean after each swipe. Pipe another line of dots in the tails of the previous petals and repeat dragging motion. Continue to pipe dots and create petals around the entire cake, finishing with a line of dots.

CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Butter and flour 3 (9-inch) cake pans. Cut 3 circles of waxed paper or parchment paper to fit the bottoms of the pans, then press them in .
• In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or using a hand mixer), cream the butter until smooth.
• Add the sugar and eggs and mix until fluffy, about 3 minutes.
• Add the vanilla, cocoa, baking soda and salt and mix.
• Add 1/2 of the flour, then 1/2 of the sour cream and mix. Repeat with the remaining flour and sour cream.
• Drizzle in the hot coffee and mix until smooth. The batter will be thin.
• Pour into the prepared pans and bake until the tops are firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (a few crumbs are okay), about 35 minutes. Halfway through the baking, quickly rotate the pans in the oven to ensure even baking, but otherwise try not to open the oven.
• Let cool in the pan 10 minutes.
• Turn out onto wire racks and let cool completely before frosting.
• Frosting:
• In a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and cream cheese together until smooth.
• Drizzle in the melted chocolate and mix. Add the coffee and vanilla and mix.
• Add the sugar, 1 cup at a time, mixing after each addition. Mix until well blended and fluffy.
• To frost the cake, use a spatula to cover 2 of the cake layers with frosting. Stack them together.
• Flip the third cake layer over and rest it on the top to create a very flat top for the cake. Frost on the sides and top.
• Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE WITH ROCKY ROAD FROSTING

Steps:

• For Frosting:Mix first 4 ingredients in medium sauce-pan. Stir over medium-low heat just until marshmallows and chocolate are melted, about 3 minutes. Transfer to large bowl. Mix in powdered sugar and vanilla. Place bowl in larger bowl filled with ice and water. Using electric mixer, beat until frosting is cool, thick and spreadable.
• For the rest: Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F Butter two 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides. Line bottom of pans with parchment; butter parchment. Dust pans with flour; tap out excess. Stir chocolate in top of double boiler over simmering water until melted and smooth. Remove from over water. Cool just to room temperature.
• Pour yogurt into 2-cup measuring cup. Add enough water to measure 1 1/2 cups; whisk to blend. Whisk in vanilla.
• Combine flour, sugar, butter, eggs, baking soda, baking powder and salt in large bowl. Add yogurt mixture and melted chocolate. Using electric mixer, beat until smooth, occasionally scraping bowl with rubber spatula, about 3 minutes. Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Cool cakes in pans on racks 10 minutes. Run small knife around sides of pans to loosen cakes. Invert onto racks; peel off parchment. Cool completely.
• Place 1 cake layer, flat side up, on platter. Spread 2/3 cup frosting over. Top with second cake layer, flat side down. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. Press marshmallows around top edge in 1-inch band and 1 inch down sides from top edge of cake. Sprinkle walnuts over center of cake. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover with cake dome and store at room temperature.).

CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE WITH DARK CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease two 8-inch round cake pans, line with cutout parchment paper, grease again, and dust with a little cocoa powder.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whisk together the flour mix, cocoa powder, xanthan gum, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
• Add the egg replacer, rice milk, canola oil, vanilla, and warm water and beat on medium-low speed until smooth, about 3 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary.
• Divide the batter evenly between the two pans.
• Bake in the center of the oven for about 45 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through. Bake until the cake is pulling away slightly from the sides of the pans and a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
• Let cool in the pans on a cooling rack for 30 minutes. Cover the cake pan with a large plate, flip, peel off the parchment paper, and flip the cake back onto the rack, right side up, to cool completely. Repeat with the other cake.
• Once the cakes have cooled completely, you may use a serrated knife to trim the tops to make them level. Frost with Dark Chocolate Frosting (or Vanilla Frosting, page 93, or Chocolate Buttercream Frosting, page 91). Once the frosting sets, store covered.
• Dark Chocolate Frosting
• Place the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Melt in the microwave, stopping to stir every 30 seconds. It will take about 2 minutes to melt them. Stir until smooth, about 1 minute. Let cool to room temperature.
• Combine the cocoa powder and boiling water in a small bowl, stirring until smooth and the cocoa has dissolved completely.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the shortening, confectioners' sugar, salt, and rice milk, beating on medium speed for about 3 minutes, or until light and fluffy.
• Add the melted chocolate and beat on low speed for 2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add the cocoa mixture, and beat for about 1 more minute, or until combined.