Game Day Chocolate Cake Recipes

CHOCOLATE-CHOCOLATE BIRTHDAY CAKE

Steps:

• Center a rack in the oven, and preheat it to 350. Butter the interiors of two 9-inch round cake pans, dust with a little cocoa powder and tap out the excess. Sift together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
• Working with an electric mixer (use the paddle, if you have one), beat the butter and sugar together on medium speed for 3 minutes, until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one by one, and beat for a minute after each goes in; beat in the vanilla. Reduce the speed to low, and add the dry ingredients in 3 additions and the buttermilk in 2 (start and finish with the dry, and don't worry if the buttermilk makes the batter look slightly curdled). Mix in the melted chocolate. Divide the batter evenly between the pans.
• Bake for 24 to 28 minutes, until a tester poked into the center of the cakes comes out clean. Transfer to racks, let rest 5 minutes and then run a blunt knife around the edges of the pans. Unmold the cakes onto the racks, and cool to room temperature.
• Make the frosting: Sift together the confectioners' sugar and cocoa powder. Using an electric mixer (with the paddle, if available), beat the sugar, cocoa, salt and butter on high speed until fluffy. On low speed, add the chocolate. When it's almost incorporated, beat in the buttermilk. It's best to use the frosting immediately.
• If necessary, just before you're ready to frost the cakes, slice a sliver off the top of each layer to create a flat surface. To assemble, place one cake layer, top up, on a serving platter, and cover with frosting. Top with the second layer, top down, jiggling it into the frosting to hold it in place. Frost the top and sides of the cake - go sleek or swirly. If you're using decorations, scatter them over the cake. Chill for at least 1 hour (or for up to 1 day); bring to room temperature before serving.

CHOCOLATE LOVER'S DREAM CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Generously grease 12-cup fluted tube cake pan with shortening and lightly flour, or spray with baking spray with flour.
• In large bowl, mix cake mix, chocolate milk, butter, eggs, sour cream and dry pudding mix with spoon until well blended (batter will be very thick). Stir in 2 cups chocolate chips. Spoon into pan.
• Bake 56 to 64 minutes or until top springs back when touched lightly in center. Cool 10 minutes. Turn pan upside down onto cooling rack or heatproof serving plate; remove pan. Cool completely, about 2 hours.
• Place 1 cup chocolate chips in small heatproof bowl. In 1-quart saucepan, heat whipping cream to simmering; pour over chips. Let stand 5 minutes; stir until smooth. Drizzle glaze over cake. Sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips. Drizzle caramel topping over cake. Sprinkle with toffee bits and chopped candy. Store loosely covered at room temperature.

BEST MOIST CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan. Sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, cream together the margarine and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Beat in the flour mixture alternately with the milk, mixing just until incorporated. Pour batter into prepared pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.

CHOCOLATE MAGIC CUSTARD CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 325°F. Line 8-inch square pan with cooking parchment paper, and grease with butter or cooking spray.
• In medium bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder and ground cinnamon with whisk. Set aside.
• In large bowl, beat egg whites to stiff peaks. Set aside.
• In another bowl, beat egg yolks and powdered sugar until pale and smooth. Add butter and vanilla; beat until combined. Add dry ingredients; beat until just combined. Mixture will be very thick.
• With mixer on low speed, slowly add milk. Mix until smooth. With whisk, add egg whites in 3 additions, beating with whisk just until no large lumps remain. Mixture may appear slightly curdled. Pour into pan.
• Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until cake appears dry on top and slightly jiggles when shaken. Cool completely, 2 to 3 hours; refrigerate until ready to serve. To serve, sprinkle with powdered sugar, and top with whipped cream and berries.

GAME-DAY FOOTBALL CAKE

Steps:

• Prepare cake batter and bake in greased and floured 13x9-inch pan as directed on package, substituting coffee for the water. Cool cake in pan 15 min. Loosen cake from sides of pan with knife; invert onto wire rack. Gently remove pan. Cool cake completely.
• Trim corners and sides from cake to resemble football. Reserve trimmings for snacking or another use.
• Frost cake with Cappuccino Pudding Frosting. Keep refrigerated.