Three Layer Chocolate Cake With Irish Coffee Frosting Recipes

3-LAYER DARK CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Set oven to 350 degrees F.
• Set oven to second-lowest rack.
• Grease three 9-inch round cake pans, then line the bottoms with parchment paper.
• In a heat proof medium mixing bowl mix together the boiling water with cocoa powder and coffee granules until completely combined; allow to cool for about 20 minutes or until room temperature.
• In another bowl sift the flour with baking soda, baking powder and salt; set aside.
• In a large bowl cream butter with both sugars and vanilla until fluffy.
• Add in eggs and beat for about 3-4 minutes.
• Add in the flour mixture alternately with the cocoa mixture until combined.
• Divide the mixture evenly beweeen the cake pans.
• Bake for about 25-35 minutes or until cakes test done.

ULTIMATE CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 160C/fan 140C/gas 3. Butter and line a 20cm round cake tin (7.5cm deep).
• Put 200g chopped dark chocolate in a medium pan with 200g butter.
• Mix 1 tbsp instant coffee granules into 125ml cold water and pour into the pan.
• Warm through over a low heat just until everything is melted - don't overheat. Or melt in the microwave for about 5 minutes, stirring halfway through.
• Mix 85g self-raising flour, 85g plain flour, ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda, 200g light muscovado sugar, 200g golden caster sugar and 25g cocoa powder, and squash out any lumps.
• Beat 3 medium eggs with 75ml buttermilk.
• Pour the melted chocolate mixture and the egg mixture into the flour mixture and stir everything to a smooth, quite runny consistency.
• Pour this into the tin and bake for 1hr 25 - 1hr 30 mins. If you push a skewer into the centre it should come out clean and the top should feel firm (don't worry if it cracks a bit).
• Leave to cool in the tin (don't worry if it dips slightly), then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Cut the cold cake horizontally into three.
• To make the ganache, put 200g chopped dark chocolate in a bowl. Pour 300ml double cream into a pan, add 2 tbsp golden caster sugar and heat until it is about to boil.
• Take off the heat and pour it over the chocolate. Stir until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth. Cool until it is a little thicker but still pourable.
• Sandwich the layers together with just a little of the ganache. Pour the rest over the cake letting it fall down the sides and smooth over any gaps with a palette knife.
• Decorate with 50g grated chocolate or 100g chocolate curls. The cake keeps moist and gooey for 3-4 days.