death by chocolate

A very special man's birthday is coming up in the next couple days, so what's better for the occasion than a massive chocolate cake?

Me and my Daddy-o.

The thought to make him a chocolate cake came from a text I received from him a couple weeks ago. He asked me if there was a concoction I could come up with that involved [the beloved] coffee and chocolate.

I woke up this morning and began searching high and low for recipes that involved the two.

After finally finding it, and jumping up and down a couple times, I put on my baking face and began conquering the kitchen.

I don't make cakes very often, mainly for the reason that I'm not a huge fan and no one else around me seems to love it either. This recipe called for two layers and a ganache icing, which worried me a little. I haven't quite mastered the baking of cakes and I've never created a ganache. I have now decided that I will master the art of baking cakes.

For this cake, the ingredients are rather simple. Do not be afraid little bake-ettes.

I like to write my recipes out for some reason. It's a strange thing.

You start off with your dry ingredient mixture. Then add in your butter and buttermilk.

My buttermilk was homemade.

Whip it for about two minutes.

It will form a stiff batter.

Whisk the coffee and two eggs. You will add this to the batter in three parts, mixing after each.

After mixing well, you will add to two 9inch cake pans that have been buttered AND floured. In the meantime, you will want to start with the heavenly ganache. A bittersweet icing that has both butter and heavy whipping cream. Baking is a beautiful thing.

Use a double boiler and slowly melt and stir. After mixed well, you will set aside and it must become ROOM temperature before you can apply it to the cake.

Let's get this cake pretty!

Just a small tip[which the whole world may know minus me], put the cake on wax paper. I seem to miss the obvious do-not's..like putting a plastic container on top of a hot eye or microwaving a foil potato.

Shmear a little ganache in the middle..or put something else. Jam/custard/sprinkles. It all sounds good.

I sprinkled some of the cake that peeled off with the foil on top of the cake. My failure turned into a creative use! Now we just have to wait for my Dad to get home so we can celebrate! Have a happy Saturday!

Death by chocolate cake

2 cups cake flour

2 cups sugar

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, not Dutch process

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 cup buttermilk

2 eggs

1 cup freshly brewed coffee, at room temperature

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour 2 eight inch cake pans, lining the bottoms with parchment paper.
Sift together the dry ingredients in the bowl of an electric mixer. Add the butter and buttermilk and mix on low until combined. Raise the speed to medium and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and coffee. Add to the mixer bowl in three additions, mixing after each addition.
Pour evenly into the prepared cake pans and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 35-40 minutes. Cool for about 10 minutes in the pan, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

What is your favorite chocolate recipe?