Ultimate 6 Layer Chocolate Fudge Cake Recipes

BEST-EVER CHOCOLATE FUDGE LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Chop 2 oz. chocolate. Beat cake mix, dry pudding mix, eggs, sour cream, oil and water in large bowl with mixer until blended. Stir in chopped chocolate. Pour into 2 (9-inch) round pans sprayed with cooking spray.
• Bake 30 to 35 min. or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 min. Loosen cakes from sides of pans. Invert onto wire racks; gently remove pans. Cool cakes completely.
• Microwave COOL WHIP and remaining chocolate in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1-1/2 min. or until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after 1 min. Let stand 15 min. to thicken.
• Stack cake layers on plate, filling and frosting with COOL WHIP mixture. Sprinkle with nuts.

ULTIMATE 6-LAYER CHOCOLATE FUDGE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350° F (177°C). Grease the bottom and sides of 1 or 2 ( 8-inch) round cake pans with non-stick spray. Place parchment rounds on the bottom. Set aside. If you only have 1 or 2 8-inch pans, take out 4-5 bowls to divide your batter in later.
• In a large bowl, sift flour, cocoa, salt, baking soda and baking powder. Whisk to combine, set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, or in a large mixing bowl using a hand mixer, beat the butter and sugar on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy, 4-5 minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl.
• Lower the speed to medium-low and add eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition until just combined. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl.
• In a small bowl, combine the vanilla and instant coffee granules. Add the sour cream to the batter along with the vanilla/coffee mixture and beat on medium speed until combined. Batter will be curdled.
• Alternately add dry ingredients in thirds and buttermilk in 2 additions to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Beat each addition just until combined.
• Divide batter equally in 6 portions. I added a scoop of batter to 2 cake pans, then a scoop to 4 bowls and repeated until all the batter was done. Cover the other bowls of batter and set aside.
• Bake two layers at a time for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and cake springs back when lightly touched.
• Remove cakes from oven and allow to cool in pans for about 10 minutes, then turn onto cooling racks to cool completely before frosting.
• Bake another 2 layers and repeat. Once those are cooled, bake the final 2 layers. Wrap all the cooled layers and store them in the refrigerator to chill and set up to make it easier to handle. See post above for tips on how to handle the layers without breaking.
• Place chopped chocolate in a medium bowl. Set aside.
• Heat 1/4 cup of heavy cream in a small saucepan, stirring constantly until it just begins to simmer.
• Remove hot cream from the heat then pour it over the chocolate, and slowly stir until smooth. Cover the bowl and transfer to the refrigerator to cool down, stirring every 5-10 minutes for about 20-30 minutes or until ganache is completely cooled. Alternatively, you can let it cool at room temperature.
• Once ganache has cooled, whip 1/2 cup of heavy cream with the powdered sugar in a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, or in a medium stainless steel mixing bowl using a hand mixer, on high speed until it reaches stiff peaks, about 2-3 minutes.
• Remove the ganache from the refrigerator and stir to loosen. Use a rubber spatula to gently fold the whipped cream into the ganache, about 1/3 at a time until fully incorporated and no white streaks remain.
• Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, placing the wrap directly onto the mousse surface. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or overnight.
• Place the chopped chocolate and butter pieces into a large bowl. Set aside.
• Heat the heavy cream in a medium saucepan until it just begins to simmer.
• Remove hot cream from heat then pour it over the chocolate and butter. Cover the bowl and allow it to sit for 5 minutes.
• Remove cover and gently stir mixture until it forms a smooth ganache.
• Place bowl in the refrigerator and stir every 20 minutes until the ganache is a thick, spreadable consistency. This took me around an hour, but it really depends on the coldness of your refrigerator.
• Use an offset spatula to place a dollop of ganache onto a cake board or serving platter that's on a turntable. Place one cake layer on top and spread about 1/2 cup of the ganache on top.
• Add a second layer on top and spread on half of the mousse.
• Repeat with all layers, alternating between ganache and mousse. You should have 3 layers of ganache and 2 layers of mousse. Place the final layer upside down.
• Chill the cake for 30 minutes so the layers can set back up. Stir remaining ganache occasionally to keep it loose.
• Once chilled, remove the cake from the refrigerator and frost the top and sides with the remaining ganache.
• Pour mini chocolate chips into a bowl and grab large handfuls to press up the sides of the cake. You may want to have a large pan or container under the cake to catch any spills. 7. Go around the cake once with the chocolate chips, then go back to fill any gaps.
• Carefully cut your chocolate squares in half and place on top of the cake. Slice and serve!

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.

ULTIMATE CHOCOLATE CAKE

Steps:

• Place rack in middle of the oven. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter two 8-by-2-inch round cake pans. Line with parchment paper. Butter the parchment, and dust with cocoa powder; tap out excess. Sift cocoa; whisk in boiling coffee and milk. Let cool. Sift together cake flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
• Using a rubber spatula, mix the butter in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Gradually add sugar and vanilla. Add the eggs one at a time, stirring well after each addition. Pour in the cooled cocoa mixture. Mix until fully incorporated.
• Add the sifted dry ingredients to the chocolate mixture, stirring until just combined. Pour the batter into the prepared pans (about 4 cups in each pan). Bake for 20 minutes, rotate the pans, and bake for an additional 15 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean when inserted into the center.
• Remove the cakes from the oven, and allow to cool in pans for 15 minutes on a cooling rack. Carefully run a small offset spatula around the edge of the cakes to loosen them from the pan. Remove cakes from pans, and invert onto a wire rack. Let cool completely, about 1 hour.
• To assemble, using a serrated knife, level the top surface of each cake layer. Place four strips of parchment paper around the perimeter of the cake stand. Spread with 3/4 cup of frosting. Top with the remaining layer, bottom side up. Using a swirling motion, cover the outside of cake with the remaining frosting. Remove parchment-paper strips.

FUDGE LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Line three greased 9-in. round baking pans with waxed paper and grease the paper; set aside. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in chocolate. Combine the cake flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture alternately with water, beating well after each addition. , Pour into prepared pans. Bake at 350° for 30-35 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., In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, all-purpose flour, milk and egg until smooth. Add the dates. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat. Stir in walnuts and vanilla. Cover and refrigerate., For frosting, combine the cream, sugar and corn syrup in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat; stir in chocolate and butter until melted. Transfer to a small bowl. Refrigerate until spreadable, stirring occasionally. , Place one cake layer on a serving plate; spread with half of the filling. Repeat. Top with remaining cake layer. Spread frosting over top and sides of cake. Store in the refrigerator.