Decadent Chocolate Layer Cake

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Here’s a rich and Decadent Chocolate Layer Cake recipe that’s perfect for celebrations, impressing guests, or treating yourself. It features moist, fluffy chocolate cake layers, a luscious chocolate ganache filling, and a silky chocolate buttercream frosting.

🍫 Decadent Chocolate Layer Cake

Ingredients

For the Cake:

  • 1¾ cups (220g) all-purpose flour

  • ¾ cup (65g) unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Dutch-processed)

  • 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar

  • 1½ tsp baking powder

  • 1½ tsp baking soda

  • 1 tsp salt

  • 2 large eggs

  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk

  • ½ cup (120ml) vegetable oil

  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract

  • 1 cup (240ml) hot coffee or hot water

For the Chocolate Ganache Filling:

  • 8 oz (225g) semi-sweet or dark chocolate, finely chopped

  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream

For the Chocolate Buttercream Frosting:

  • 1 cup (230g) unsalted butter, room temperature

  • 3½ cups (440g) powdered sugar

  • ½ cup (45g) unsweetened cocoa powder

  • ½ tsp salt

  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

  • ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream (more if needed)

Instructions

1. Make the Cake:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line two 9-inch round cake pans.

  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

  3. Add eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla. Beat on medium speed until well combined.

  4. Slowly add hot coffee (or hot water) and mix until smooth. Batter will be thin.

  5. Divide batter evenly between pans. Bake for 30–35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

  6. Let cakes cool in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

2. Make the Ganache:

  1. Place chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl.

  2. Heat cream until just simmering. Pour over chocolate and let sit for 2 minutes.

  3. Stir until smooth and glossy. Let cool until it thickens to a spreadable consistency.

3. Make the Buttercream:

  1. Beat butter until creamy (about 2–3 minutes).

  2. Sift in powdered sugar, cocoa, and salt. Mix on low, then increase speed and beat until fluffy.

  3. Add vanilla and cream; beat until smooth. Adjust consistency with more cream if needed.

Assemble the Cake:

  1. Level cake layers if needed.

  2. Place one layer on a cake board. Spread ganache evenly over it.

  3. Add second cake layer.

  4. Frost top and sides with chocolate buttercream.

  5. Optional: Decorate with chocolate curls, sprinkles, or a ganache drip.

Pro Tips:

  • Use high-quality cocoa and chocolate for best flavor.

  • Chill the cake briefly between layering and frosting to help it set.

  • This cake pairs beautifully with fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

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