Howards Cake Chocolate Cake Recipes

HAYDEN'S CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Butter one 4 x 3-inch round cake pan, one 6 x 3-inch round cake pan and one 8 x 3-inch round cake pan. Line the bottoms with parchment paper, and butter and flour the pans.
• Sift the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugars on high speed until light, approximately 5 minutes. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well. Combine the buttermilk, sour cream, and coffee. On low speed, add the flour mixture and the buttermilk mixture alternately in thirds, beginning with the buttermilk mixture and ending with the flour mixture. Mix the batter only until blended.
• Divide the batter between the three pans and smooth the tops with a spatula. Bake on the middle rack of the oven as follows: for the 4-inch pan 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean; for the 6-inch pan 70 to 75 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean; and for the 8-inch pan 85 to 90 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool the cakes in the pans for 10 minutes each on a cooling rack, carefully remove from the pans and allow to finish cooling.
• For the frosting, place the chocolate chips and heavy cream in a bowl set over a pot of simmering water, stirring occasionally, until the chips are completely melted. Off the heat, add the corn syrup and vanilla and allow the chocolate mixture to cool to room temperature. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk the chocolate mixture and softened butter on medium speed for a few minutes, until it¿s thickened.
• Place a dollop of the frosting on a serving plate to hold the bottom cake layer in place. Place the 8-inch cake on the plate, flat side up. Frost the top and sides of that layer. Place the 6-inch cake in the center of the top of the 8-inch cake, flat side up, and frost the top and sides. Place the 4-inch cake in the center of the top of the 6-inch cake, flat side down, and frost the top and sides. Pipe any remaining frosting decoratively around the cake and decorate with the candy-coated chocolates.

WORLD'S BEST CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit/170 degrees Celsius. Grease a 9-inch/23-centimeter round springform pan with butter and line with parchment paper, then set aside.
• Make the cake: Place butter, chocolate and hot coffee in a large heatproof bowl and mix well until everything is melted, combined and smooth. Whisk in sugar by hand until dissolved. Add eggs and vanilla extract and whisk again until thoroughly combined and smooth. Sift flour, cocoa powder and salt together into a bowl and then whisk this into the melted chocolate mixture. The batter here is liquid, but don't think you have missed something; this is how it should be.
• Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 1 hour, or until the cake is cooked and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few dry crumbs attached. The top will form a crust and crack a little, but don't worry, this is expected. Leave the cake to cool for 20 minutes before removing from the pan, then set aside until completely cool.
• Make the chocolate ganache, if desired: Place chocolate pieces in a food processor, process until fine and set aside. Combine cream and corn syrup in a small pan and place over medium-high heat. As soon as bubbles begin to appear (just before it comes to a boil), remove from the heat. Get the food processor running again, with the chocolate still inside, and pour in the hot cream in a steady stream. Process for 10 seconds, then add butter. Continue to process until mixture is shiny and smooth. (You can also make the ganache by hand; just make sure the chocolate is chopped fairly finely before adding the cream mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until almost melted, then add the butter. Stir again until the ganache is smooth.)
• Use a rubber spatula to scrape the ganache into a bowl and cover with plastic wrap, with the plastic actually touching the top of the ganache. Set aside until it has set to the consistency you want. If you want a thin layer to spread over the cake, it can be poured over while liquid so that you get an even, light and shiny coating. For a thicker ganache with a spreading consistency, leave it for about 2 hours at room temperature. (The ganache can be stored at room temperature, providing it's not too warm, for 3 days or kept in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. It can also be frozen, although it will lose a bit of its shine when defrosted.)
• Make the espresso cinnamon mascarpone cream, if desired: Place all the ingredients in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat for 1 to 2 minutes, until soft peaks form.
• Peel the parchment from the cake and discard. Transfer to a serving platter and spread the ganache, if using, on top of the cake. Slice into wedges, divide the cake among plates and, if using, spoon the mascarpone cream alongside. With or without icing, the cake will keep well for 4 to 5 days in an airtight container.

CHOCOLATE LOVERS' FAVORITE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 10 inch Bundt pan.
• In a large bowl, stir together cake mix and pudding mix. Make a well in the center and pour in sour cream, melted butter, eggs and almond extract. Beat on low speed until blended. Scrape bowl, and beat 4 minutes on medium speed. Blend in chocolate chips. Pour batter into prepared pan.
• Bake in preheated oven for 50 to 55 minutes. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.

HOWARD'S CAKE (CHOCOLATE CAKE)

Steps:

• Dissolve cocoa in cold water to make a paste.
• Combine cocoa paste with the sugar shortening eggs and vanilla and mix well.
• Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Fold into first mixture.
• Dissolve soda in boiling water and add to the batter. It will be thin.
• Pour into two greased 8-inch cake pans and bake at 300F for an hour.
• Frost with your favorite frosting.

HEAVENLY CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• For Chocolate Cake: Mix granulated sugar, sour cream, whole milk, instant espresso, vegetable oil, whole eggs and vanilla extract in a standing mixer on low speed for approximately 2 minutes or until combined. Scrape the bowl and add the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and kosher salt. Mix another 2 to 3 minutes until cake batter is smooth. Pour into sprayed and parchment lined 10-inch cake pan. Bake for 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Set aside to cool.
• For Chocolate Mousse: Melt chocolate and set aside (keep warm). In a separate dish add powdered gelatin to cold water, set aside. Whisk together milk and egg yolks in a saucepan. Put on a medium flame and cook until 165 degrees F. Be careful not to over cook and curdle the mixture. Pour egg-milk mixture through a strainer into the melted chocolate. Melt the gelatin and water. Add to the chocolate mixture and stir until combined. Let chocolate mixture cool to room temperature. Whip the heavy cream to soft peaks and fold into the chocolate mixture.
• For the Ganache: In a saucepot combine heavy cream, sugar and unsalted butter. Bring to a boil. Take off flame. Add chopped chocolate to boiled cream let sit for 1 minute then stir until combined. Over-mixing will cause bubbles in the ganache. Only stir until chocolate is incorporated. Set aside.
• For Chocolate Buttercream: In a saucepan combine granulated sugar and just enough water to moisten the sugar. Bring to a boil, washing down the sides as you go with a brush dipped in water. Bring to 240 degrees F. As sugar is cooking, begin whipping the egg whites in a mixer on medium speed.. Increase speed, as sugar gets closer to a soft peak. Mix the unsalted butter, shortening and salt together. When sugar reaches temperature pour into whipping egg whites. Continue to whip on high speed until the mixing bowl is just warm to the touch. Quickly add the unsalted butter, shortening and salt. Continue to whip for 5 minutes or until buttercream comes together and is smooth. Add melted chocolate and cocoa powder. Whip until combined. Set aside.
• For Assembly: Slice 10-inch cake horizontally into 2 even pieces. Place first layer of cake in a plastic wrap lined 10-inch cake pan. Spread a thin layer of raspberry marmalade on top of the cake. Spread a thin layer of chocolate ganache on the raspberry marmalade. Spread a 2 1/2-inch thick layer of chocolate mousse on top of the ganache. Top with the second layer of chocolate cake and refrigerate for 1 hour. Remove the cake from the refrigerator and spread a layer of chocolate butter cream on top of the cake. Spread a layer of chocolate ganache on top. Put the cake in the freezer for 1 hour or longer. Remove from the freezer and gently pull cake out of the pan by pulling on the plastic wrap. Keep refrigerated until served.

CHOCOLATE-CHERRY CAKE

Steps:

• Prepare the cake: Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8-inch square baking pan with olive oil.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder and baking powder until evenly distributed and no lumps remain. To a separate large bowl, add the 1/2 cup oil, eggs, milk, almond extract and salt and whisk until smooth, at least 30 seconds. Gently whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until the last streak of flour disappears.
• Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and tap gently against the counter to pop excess air bubbles. Bake until a skewer or cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan.
• Microwave the cherry preserves in a small bowl in 30-second intervals or in a small saucepan over medium heat until looser and slightly liquidy. Spread the preserves evenly over the cooled cake.
• Make the frosting: In a large bowl, combine the sugar, cocoa powder and salt and pour over the hot water. Either by hand or with an electric mixer, whisk until smooth. Add the heavy cream and continue whisking until billowy soft peaks form. When you turn the whisk upside-down, a peak of cream should flop over slightly like a Santa hat. Spread the frosting over the cake and, if using, garnish with the cherries. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

CHOCOLATE CHURCH CAKE

Steps:

• Make the frosting: In a large saucepan, bring sugar and cream to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 6 minutes. Meanwhile, chop chocolate and cube butter. After the sugar mixture has simmered for 6 minutes, turn the heat off and add chocolate and butter to the saucepan. Stir until everything is melted. Stir in the vanilla. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature while you make the cake. Do not stir until it has cooled almost entirely, likely for as long as it will take you to mix and bake the cake.
• Make the cake: Heat oven to 325 degrees. Coat three 9-inch round cake pans with nonstick cooking spray. Cut three rounds of parchment paper to fit the bottom of each pan and line each pan with one. Spray the parchment. Sprinkle the pans with cocoa powder to coat, tapping each pan over the sink or trash can to shake loose any excess.
• Meanwhile, in a very large bowl, whisk the sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Make a well in the center. Bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil while you prepare your wet ingredients.
• Whisk the eggs, buttermilk, oil and vanilla in a medium bowl. Pour into the dry mixture and whisk gently until incorporated. It will be a bit clumpy but gently work it in. Pour in the boiling water to loosen the batter and gently whisk to combine, being careful not to splash.
• Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans. Each pan should hold about 700 grams of batter. (Weighing your batter ensures even cooking and beautiful cake building.) Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few crumbs, 32 to 35 minutes. Set the pans on a wire rack to cool.
• When cakes are cooled, revisit your frosting, whisking to thicken and making sure not to overbeat or add any air or fluff to the frosting. Turn the cakes out of their pans and discard the parchment. Trim any rounded top off of each as evenly as possible.
• Assemble the cake: Scoop about 3/4 cup of frosting on one layer set on a cake plate, then repeat with the second and third layers. You can refrigerate the cake in between frosting each layer to ensure that your frosting is set and firm so that your next layer will be propped up properly. If the frosting is too soft, the next layer will just flatten the filling. Frost the outside of the cake with the remaining frosting, letting it chill as you go if needed. Use an offset spatula or butter knife dipped in hot water and wiped clean to smooth and shine the finished cake. This cake keeps and is best served at room temperature for up to 2 days. It holds remarkably well in the refrigerator for up to one week and can be served cold.

HEAVENLY CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with water, beating well after each addition., Pour into three greased and floured 9-in. round baking pans. Bake at 350° for 24-28 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. Fill and frost as desired.