Chocolate Obsession Cake Recipes

BEATTY'S CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter two 8-inch x 2-inch round cake pans. Line with parchment paper, then butter and flour the pans.
• Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and mix on low speed until combined. In another bowl, combine the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry. With mixer still on low, add the coffee and stir just to combine, scraping the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool in the pans for 30 minutes, then turn them out onto a cooling rack and cool completely.
• Place 1 layer, flat side up, on a flat plate or cake pedestal. With a knife or offset spatula, spread the top with frosting. Place the second layer on top, rounded side up, and spread the frosting evenly on the top and sides of the cake.
• Chop the chocolate and place it in a heat-proof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Stir until just melted and set aside until cooled to room temperature.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium-high speed until light yellow and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the egg yolk and vanilla and continue beating for 3 minutes. Turn the mixer to low, gradually add the confectioners' sugar, then beat at medium speed, scraping down the bowl as necessary, until smooth and creamy. Dissolve the coffee powder in 2 teaspoons of the hottest tap water. On low speed, add the chocolate and coffee to the butter mixture and mix until blended. Don't whip! Spread immediately on the cooled cake.

CHOCOLATE OBSESSION CAKE

Steps:

• Position oven rack in the center of oven; preheat oven to 375°.
• Grease an 8-inch round springform pan and line the pan bottom with a parchment paper round; set aside.
• In the top of a double boiler over simmering water, melt the chocolate and butter, stirring until smooth.
• Remove from heat and set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the eggs and salt for 6 minutes, or until the eggs triple in volume.
• Fold in the chocolate mixture, stirring by hand until they are completely blended; stir in the orange zest.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan; bake for 20 minutes (the center will still be a little soft).
• Set the pan on a wire rack to cool for at least 30 minutes.
• Run a thin knife around the edge of the pan to loosen.
• Release and remove the pan sides, and refrigerate if no serving immediately (the cake can be refrigerated for up to 2 days).
• Return the cake to room temperature before serving.
• *Optional--dust with powdered sugar and serve with a dollop of whipped cream sprinkled with freshly grated orange zest; garnish with a chocolate curl.

THE SILVER PALATE'S CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 10-inch tube pan.
• Cut the chocolate and butter into small pieces and place in a large bowl. Pour 1 cup boiling water over them; let stand until melted. Stir in the vanilla and sugar, then whisk in the egg yolks, one at a time.
• In a small bowl, mix the baking soda and sour cream and whisk into the chocolate mixture. Sift the flour and baking powder and add to the batter, mixing thoroughly.
• Beat the egg whites until stiff but not too dry. Stir a quarter of the egg whites thoroughly into the batter. Gently fold in the remaining whites.
• Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Set on the center rack of the oven and bake until a cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean, 40 to 50 minutes. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, unmold and cool completely before frosting.
• To make the frosting: Place all the ingredients in a heavy saucepan over low heat and whisk until smooth. Spread on the cake while the frosting is still warm.