Cocoa Buttermilk Layer Cake Recipes

COCOA-BUTTERMILK LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Prep the cake materials: Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 350 F. Butter two 9 x 2-inch round cake pans with a pastry brush, dust the interiors with flour, tap out the excess and line the bottoms with rounds of parchment or wax paper. Put the pans on a baking sheet.
• For the cake: Whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. Beat the butter until soft and creamy in a stand mixer, preferably fitted with a paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl. Add the sugar and beat until it is thoroughly blended with the butter, about 2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl halfway through for even mixing. Add the eggs yolks one at a time, then the eggs one at a time, beating for 1 minute after each addition and scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla.
• Reduce the mixer speed to low. Beginning with the dry ingredients, alternate adding the dry ingredients and the buttermilk; add the dry ingredients in 3 portions and the buttermilk in 2. Mix only until each new batch is blended into the batter (i.e., do not overmix). Scrape down the bowl and, if you want, add the melted chocolate, folding it in with a rubber spatula. Divide the batter between the cake pans. Bake for 26-30 minutes, or until the cakes feel springy to the touch and start to pull away from the sides of the pans.
• For the chocolate malt buttercream: Add the chocolate and half the brown sugar to a heatproof bowl; set the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water to temper (melt) the chocolate and sugar, making sure the bowl doesn't touch the water. Meanwhile, whisk the malt powder and cocoa together in a small bowl; add 3 tablespoons of boiling water and whisk until smooth. Set aside.
• In the stand mixer, preferably fitted with the paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the butter on medium speed until soft and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the remaining brown sugar and beat until well blended, about 2-3 minutes. Beat in the salt and vanilla extract, then reduce the mixer speed to low.
• When the chocolate and sugar are melted, remove heatproof bowl from the saucepan. Whisking the melted chocolate gently, gradually pour in the malt-cocoa mixture and stir to thoroughly incorporate: it should be dark, smooth, and glossy. Add this chocolate mixture to the stand mixer and mix until smooth, pausing to scrape down the bowl. Still working on low speed, gradually add the confectioners' sugar. When all the sugar is in, raise the mixer speed to medium and beat for a couple of minutes. If the frosting is too thin, pop it in the fridge for a few minutes.
• Remove the cakes from the oven; transfer to racks and cool for about 5 minutes. Run a knife around the sides of the cakes, unmold them, and peel off the paper liners. Invert and cool to room temperature right side up. (Note: Once the layers are cooled, they can be wrapped airtight and left at room temperature overnight or kept frozen for up to 2 months.)
• Assemble the cake: Place one layer on a cardboard round or a cake plate protected by strips of wax or parchment paper. Frost the top of the layer, then cover with the second layer of cake. Frost the top and sides (optional) of the cake, smoothing the buttercream for a sleek look or using a spatula, knife, or spoon to swirl it for a more exuberant look. Remove the paper strips after the cake is frosted. Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour (or for up to 1 day, if that's more convenient) to set the frosting, then bring it to room temperature before serving.

BUTTERMILK COCOA CAKE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine the cocoa and water until smooth; add butter. Bring just to a boil. Remove from the heat. , In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar and baking soda; add cocoa mixture. Combine eggs, oil and buttermilk; add to cocoa mixture and beat until smooth. , Pour into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. , In a large saucepan, bring the cocoa, butter and buttermilk to a boil. Remove from the heat. Whisk in confectioners' sugar and vanilla until smooth. Spread over the warm cake. Sprinkle with pecans if desired. Cool on a wire rack.

CHOCOLATE BUTTERMILK LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray two 9-inch cake pans with nonstick spray, and line the bottoms with parchment paper.
• 2. Place flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cocoa powder in a large mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer, mix on low to combine. Keeping the mixer on low , add oil, buttermilk, then eggs one at a time. Add hot coffee in a thin stream, pouring down the side of the bowl. Add vanilla and mix until batter is smooth. Divide into pans and back until a toothpick comes out with moist crumbs, about 30-35 minutes. Let cool in pans for at least 20 minutes.
• 3. Create a double boiler by filling a saucepan with 2 inches of water and bringing it to a boil. Place chocolate chips and cream in a stainless steel mixing bowl (I used glass) and set on top of simmering water, Allow mixture to melt-do not stir right away, When chocolate has melted, stir it with a whisk. Allow to cool at room temperature.
• 4. Remove cakes from pans. Place one layer of cake on a serving plate. Trim the top with a serrated knife to make it even (although I didn't find this necessary). Place a scoop of ganache in the middle and smooth it out to the edges using a palette knife or spatula. Trim the top off the other layer and place the untrimmed side down on the top of the frosted layer, pressing gently. Spoon more ganache on the top and smooth it around the sides, adding more ganache as needed to cover. If you need to apply a second coat of ganache, put the cake in the refridgerator for no more than 15 minutes to set before adding a second coat (although I found myself with a surplus of frosting). Makes a single 9-inch layer cake.

COCOA-BUTTERMILK BIRTHDAY CAKE

Steps:

• Getting Ready to Bake: Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter two 9-x-2-inch round cake pans, dust the insides with flour, tap out the excess and line the bottoms with rounds of parchment or wax paper. Put the pans on a baking sheet.
• To Make the Cake: Whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
• Working with a stand mixer, preferably fitted with a paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the butter on medium speed until soft and creamy. Add the sugar and beat for about 2 minutes, until it is thoroughly blended into the butter. Add the eggs one at a time, then the yolks one by one, beating for 1 minute after each addition and scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the dry ingredients alternately with the buttermilk; add the dry ingredients in 3 portions and the buttermilk in 2 (begin and end with the dry ingredients); mix only until each new batch is blended into the batter. Scrape down the bowl and, if you want, add the melted chocolate, folding it in with a rubber spatula. Divide the batter between the cake pans.
• Bake for 26 to 30 minutes, or until the cakes feel springy to the touch and start to pull away from the sides of the pans. Transfer the cakes to racks and cool for about 5 minutes, then run a knife around the sides of the cakes, unmold them and peel off the paper liners. Invert and cool to room temperature right side up. (Once the layers are cooled, they can be wrapped airtight and left at room temperature overnight or kept frozen for up to 2 months.).
• To Make the Buttercream: Melt the chocolate with half the brown sugar in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water. Remove from the heat.
• Whisk the malt powder and cocoa together in a small bowl, pour over 3 tablespoons of the boiling water and whisk until smooth. Whisking the melted chocolate gently, gradually pour in the hot malt-cocoa mixture and stir to blend-it should be dark, smooth and glossy; set aside.
• Working with the stand mixer, preferably fitted with the paddle attachment, or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the butter on medium speed until soft and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the remaining brown sugar and beat for 2 to 3 minutes more, until well blended. Beat in the salt and vanilla extract, then reduce the mixer speed to low. Scrape in the chocolate mixture and mix until smooth. Still working on low speed, gradually add the confectioners' sugar. When all the sugar is in, increase the mixer speed to medium and beat for a couple of minutes. Lower the speed and add the remaining tablespoon of boiling water, then increase the speed and give the frosting another quick spin. It will be light and should be thick enough to use immediately. If it doesn't hold its shape, beat it just a bit more.
• To Assemble the Cake: Place one layer top side up on a cardboard round or a cake plate protected by strips of wax or parchment paper. Frost the top of the layer, and cover with the second layer, top side down. Frost the sides and top of the cake, either smoothing the buttercream for a sleek look or using a spatula, knife or spoon to swirl it for a more exuberant look.
• Refrigerate the cake for at least 1 hour (or for up to 1 day, if that's more convenient) to set the frosting, then bring it to room temperature before serving.

MOM'S BUTTERMILK CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• For the cake: Lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch cake pan with butter. Combine the flour, sugar and baking soda in the bowl of a stand mixer or mixing bowl. Combine the butter, cocoa and 1 cup water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil while mixing. Add the cocoa mixture to the flour mixture, along with the buttermilk eggs and vanilla, and beat for 3 minutes. Pour into the prepared cake pan and bake until firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes in the pan before turning out on a rack to cool completely.
• For the frosting: Make the frosting as soon as the cake is out of the oven. Combine the butter, buttermilk and cocoa in a small saucepan and bring to a boil while mixing. Combine with the confectioners' sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat until smooth. Spread the frosting evenly on the cake.

GRANDMA JEAN'S BUTTERMILK-CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13-inch baking pan.
• Combine sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl; whisk until fully combined. Add coffee, buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes; batter will be thin. Pour into the prepared baking pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool completely.

COCOA BUTTERMILK CAKE WITH SCROLLED TUILES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter two 8-by- 12-inch cake pans, and line with parchment paper. Butter parchment, and lightly dust with cocoa powder; set aside. Sift cocoa powder, flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl; set aside.
• Put butter and sugar into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; mix on medium speed until pale and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Mix in eggs, 1 at a time, and vanilla. Reduce speed to low. Add cocoa mixture in 2 batches, alternating with the buttermilk.
• Divide batter evenly between pans. Bake until a cake tester inserted into centers comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack 15 minutes. Invert cakes onto rack; remove parchment, and reinvert. Let cool completely.
• Trim cakes level. Place 1 cake on a platter. Spread with 1 cup frosting. Top with remaining cake. Spread 4 1/2 cups frosting on top and sides. Fill a pastry bag fitted with a petal tip (such as Ateco #126) with remaining frosting. Pipe a ruffled border along edges. Cake can be refrigerated up to 1 day. Serve with scrolled tuiles.

BUTTERMILK CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• In a saucepan, bring butter, water and cocoa to a boil. In a bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add cocoa mixture; mix well. Combine buttermilk and vanilla; add to batter and mix well. Beat in eggs. Pour into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 23-27 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack., In a small saucepan over medium heat, cook and stir butter and cocoa until smooth. Remove from the heat. In a small bowl, combine confectioners' sugar, vanilla and salt. Add cocoa mixture and enough milk until frosting reaches desired consistency. Frost cake.

BUTTERMILK LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 9-inch cake pans and set aside. Sift together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs and vanilla.
• Using a mixer on medium speed, beat the butter until creamy. Over the course of 3 minutes, beat in the sugar. Over 2 minutes, add the egg mixture. Reduce the speed to low and alternate adding the flour and buttermilk in three parts, scraping the bowl.
• Divide the batter between the pans and smooth the tops. Bake until light golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes, then unmold onto a rack to cool completely before frosting.
• To frost cake, place 1 layer on a cake plate, rounded side down, trimming if necessary so it lies flat. Spread with a third of the frosting, top with the second layer and frost the remainder of the cake.

COCOA-BUTTERMILK CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Butter and line with parchment a 9 x 13 cake pan Melt butter, stir in water and cocoa and whisk until smooth.
• set aside.
• sift together flour, sugar, salt and baking soda.
• In a separate bowl, whick together eggs, buttermilk and vanilla.
• Add cocoa mixture and buttermilk mixture to dry ingredients.
• Combine very well.
• Pour into cake pan and bake until skewer comes out clean.
• Cool for 20 minutes while making icing.
• ICING: Melt butter, add buttermilk and cocoa.
• Whisk until smooth.
• Put powdered sugar into a food processor.
• With motor running, pour cocoa mixture through feed tube.
• Do not over process.
• Put a platter over the cake pan, flip over so that the cake comes out onto the platter.
• Remove parchment Pour icing over the top of cake and spread evenly over cake to the edges using an offset spatula.
• Do not worry if some goes over the sides.
• Refrigerate cake for 2 hours.
• Remove from refrigerator and with a serrated knife, trim all 4 sides of the cake about 1/4 inch.
• Cut into pieces to serve.

COCOA LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• For cake:
• Position 1 rack in top third and 1 rack in bottom third of oven; preheat to 350°F. Butter three 9-inch-diameter cake pans with 1 1/2-inch-high sides. Line with parchment paper rounds; butter parchment. Whisk cocoa and 1/2 cup warm water in small bowl. Whisk buttermilk and 1/2 cup water in another small bowl. Sift flour, baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon salt into medium bowl. Using electric mixer, beat both sugars and butter in large bowl until pale yellow and fluffy (mixture will appear granular), about 5 minutes. With mixer running, gradually add beaten eggs, then beat until smooth and fluffy, about 15 seconds. Add cocoa mixture; beat to blend. Add flour mixture in 3 additions alternately with buttermilk mixture in 2 additions, beating to blend after each addition. Divide batter among pans (about 1 3/4 cups each).
• Bake cakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, reversing pans halfway through baking, about 18 minutes. Cool completely in pans on racks.
• For frosting:
• Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in sugar, cocoa, espresso powder, and 1/2 teaspoon (scant) salt. Gradually stir in cream. Stir until mixture is very hot and just begins to simmer at edges. Reduce heat to low; stir 1 minute to let flavors blend. Transfer to medium bowl; stir in vanilla (frosting will resemble chocolate sauce). Chill until just thickened, stirring occasionally, about 1 1/2 hours. Let stand at room temperature.
• Run knife around cake sides. Carefully invert 1 cake onto plate (cake is very tender); peel off parchment. Spread with 1/2 cup frosting. Invert second cake onto palm of hand. Position cake 2 inches above frosted cake layer. Carefully slide cake onto first cake layer. Peel off parchment. Spread cake with 1⁄2 cup frosting. Repeat with third cake layer. Spread remaining frosting over top and sides of cake. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover with cake dome; let stand at room temperature.
• Cut into wedges and serve.