Fairmont Empress Hotel Chocolate Italiano Cake Recipes

ESPRESSO CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter and flour three 8-inch round cake pans, then line with parchment paper and butter the parchment. Set aside.
• Using an electric mixer, beat together the brown sugar and butter in a mixing bowl. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then beat on high speed until light and fluffy.
• In a small bowl, combine the instant espresso with just enough water to make a paste (approximately 1/4 cup); stir until the espresso has dissolved. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.
• Turn the mixer to low speed and add the flour mixture in parts, alternating with the sour cream. Mix in the dissolved espresso. Stir in 1 cup boiling water until just blended. Divide the batter among the prepared pans and bake until a tester inserted in the middle comes out clean, about 35 minutes. Let the cakes cool in the pans for 15 minutes, then turn them out onto racks and allow to cool completely.
• For the vanilla buttercream: Beat the butter and shortening with an electric mixer until fluffy, then slowly add the vanilla. Add in the confectioners' sugar 1 cup at a time, then turn the mixer to medium-high speed and beat for 5 minutes more.
• To assemble: Level off the top of each cake layer with a serrated knife. Smear about 1 tablespoon buttercream on a cake plate to help secure the cake, then top with one of the cake layers. Add approximately 1 cup buttercream and spread it evenly around the top. Add a second cake layer and another cup of buttercream, again spreading all around to cover the top of the cake. Add the final cake layer. Working with small amounts of buttercream, cover the sides and top of the cake. Add interesting patterns with buttercream combs, or texture the outer part with a spatula. Serve immediately or cover to keep fresh.

CHOCOLATE CAKE EXPRESS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 190 C / 375°F.
• Grease and flour a 20 cm cake tin.
• Combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, bicarbonate of soda and salt.
• Make a well in the centre of the mixture, and add the vanilla essence, vinegar and oil, then gradually stir in the water.
• Continue stirring until thoroughly blended, but do not over-mix.
• Pour all of the batter into the cake tin, and bake, uncovered, for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre of the cake, comes out clean.
• Do not over bake, the secret to this cake is its moistness.
• Cool in the tin on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then transfer the cake from the tin to the rack, to cool completely.
• Sift the icing sugar over the top, and serve.

CHOCOLATE ITALIAN CREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour three 8-inch round cake pans. Separate the eggs.
• Cream 1/2 cup of the butter, shortening and sugar together. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in 1 teaspoon of the vanilla.
• Sift soda, flour and 1/4 cup cocoa together. Add alternately with buttermilk to the creamed mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Stir in the coconut and 1 cup of the chopped pecans.
• Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form and fold into the batter. Pour batter into the prepared cake pans.
• Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 25 to 30 minutes. Let cakes cool completely before frosting between layers and on sides.
• To Make Frosting: Cream the cream cheese and butter together. Sift confectioner's sugar and 1/4 cup cocoa, beating in a little at a time until well-creamed. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1 cup pecans.