What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the words “Rich and Delicious”? Well… yes, Dr McDreamy, my favorite Grey’s Anatomy surgeon is what comes to mind first with me too. OK…let’s try this again. Let’s add the word chocolate? Now what? Right… that would go well with Dr McDreamy too, but lets get our minds out of the gutter, okay? When I now hear the words “rich, chocolatey and delicious” together, one of the first things to come to mind is the recipe I tried last night from Epicurious for Double Choclate Layer Cake. I, once again, fell victim to the Epicurious widget on my blog. The picture of the Double Chocolate Layer Cake had me drooling the first time I saw it. I knew that it was going to be a must try.
There used to be an Italian restaurant in Kansas City called Gambucci’s. Their food was good, but their layered chocolate cake called “Ba Da Bing” was the reason I kept going back. It had a creamy ganache frosting layered between the most incredible moist and rich chocolate cake. The restaurant closed a couple of years ago and I tried to get a hold of the recipe then, fearing that I would never taste such magnificence again. My pursuit of the recipe left me empty handed. As expected, they were not willing to give it up.
Well, ladies and gentlemen… I think this is as close to it as I’m going to get and I am very pleased. I had such high hopes for this cake. I feared I might be disappointed, however, after my first bite I knew I had hit a chocolate cake goldmine. The Ba Da Bing had landed and it made a big impression. Knowing that we did not need to eat this entire cake ourselves (although very tempting), I invited some of our friends and neighbors over for dessert last night. The chorus of praise was music to my ears. Even my husband, who as you know doesn’t get excited about things…especially chocolate…couldn’t stop talking about how delicious the cake was.
So, next time you are thinking about rich and delicious, think about the usual… Dr McDreamy. Then, think about him with a plate of this Double Chocolate Layer Cake in his hands with a fork bringing each luscious piece to your mouth for you to enjoy. Pure indulgence.
Chocolate Fudge Cake
Ingredients
For cake layers
- 3 ounces fine-quality semisweet chocolate such as Callebaut
- 1 1/2 cups hot brewed coffee
- 3 cups sugar
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder not Dutch process
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 3 large eggs
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 cups well-shaken buttermilk
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla
For ganache frosting
- 1 pound fine-quality semisweet chocolate such as Callebaut
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 1/2 stick 1/4 cup unsalted butter
Special equipment
- two 10- by 2-inch round cake pans
Instructions
Make cake layers:
- Preheat oven to 300°F. and grease pans. Line bottoms with rounds of wax paper and grease paper.
- Finely chop chocolate and in a bowl combine with hot coffee. Let mixture stand, stirring occasionally, until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth.
- Into a large bowl sift together sugar, flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In another large bowl with an electric mixer beat eggs until thickened slightly and lemon colored (about 3 minutes with a standing mixer or 5 minutes with a hand-held mixer). Slowly add oil, buttermilk, vanilla, and melted chocolate mixture to eggs, beating until combined well. Add sugar mixture and beat on medium speed until just combined well. Divide batter between pans and bake in middle of oven until a tester inserted in center comes out clean, 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes.
- Cool layers completely in pans on racks. Run a thin knife around edges of pans and invert layers onto racks. Carefully remove wax paper and cool layers completely. Cake layers may be made 1 day ahead and kept, wrapped well in plastic wrap, at room temperature.
Make frosting:
- Finely chop chocolate. In a 1 1/2- to 2-quart saucepan bring cream, sugar, and corn syrup to a boil over moderately low heat, whisking until sugar is dissolved. Remove pan from heat and add chocolate, whisking until chocolate is melted. Cut butter into pieces and add to frosting, whisking until smooth.
- Transfer frosting to a bowl and cool, stirring occasionally, until spreadable (depending on chocolate used, it may be necessary to chill frosting to spreadable consistency).
- Spread frosting between cake layers and over top and sides. Cake keeps, covered and chilled, 3 days. Bring cake to room temperature before serving.
- Serves 12 to 14.
I’m about to make chocolate spice cookies, but I think they will probably look tiny and pale by comparison to your cake.
Any leftovers, I’m sure I could manage a piece with this cup of tea about now.
That’s beautiful.
Great looking cake there Kristen!!I am cooking Mexican for Super Bowl! Enjoy..
I saw the picture, and began to immediately lust after a piece of that cake. I could TASTE it.
Wow. Awesome.
Lovely photo, Kristen. Just the right background to bring out the rich dark cake.
With a cold glass of milk!
OMG…Uh, thank you for the pics! The cake looks amazing and I wanted to grab a glass of milk just reading over the recipe. This is my next recipe to make when we’re in a chocolate mood, since I just made Deb’s World Peace cookies while the Super Bowl was on.
you are killing me here, PMS plus a view of that enormous piece of chocolate goodness is just too much for me to take: must-eat-chocolate-now!
You know… I had NEVER watched Gray’s Anatomy until this past week at my friend’s house and it was actually good! I hadn’t thought I would like it but I did. And Dr. McDreamy is just that… ohh la la! This cake is ohh la la too. Yum!
Even with as much as I’ve eaten this evening, I could still find room for a bite (or two) of that cake. It looks wonderful!
Chocolate cake! my favorite birthday cake. Your’s is so lovely and would be great with my lonely cup of tea. Any left?
That widget is serving you well! Looks delicious!
Kristen, this is such a beautiful cake!
I shouldn’t be looking at this picture at 11:30am… 🙂
Thank you all for your comments!
Tanna – I do have some leftover. Even after sending half the cake home with guests, I have a couple of slices left. As much as I LOVE this cake, I don’t need another bite. I’ll send it to you right away 🙂
TW – Chocolate Spice Cookies sound yummy… can’t wait to see your post about them!
Asha – Hope your party went well!
Bill – Thank you so much 🙂
Mimi – You must have a big glass of milk with this cake… perfect combo!
Jenifer – I can’t wait until you try it. It is soooo good! How were the cookies?
Marce – Trust me… I can totally relate!
KB – I just started watching Grey’s this season and I’m hooked.
Shawnda – I always have room for chocolate!
Elle – Sure! I’ll send some right over 🙂
Freya – That widget is making me gain weight. It is a hazard zone for me now!
Yes, yes….cake, McDreamy and the bathtub from several episode’s back….yes, I can see it all now.
You are the second blog I have seen today with a wonderful chocolate layer cake photo. WHAT is going ON??
😉
OMG! *wipes drool up from desk*
yummy! I am making cupcakes this afternoon,but your chocolate yumminess is so much better than my little old cupcakes.
oh I just LOVE chocolate cake – but have almost given up hope because so many are so dry and sad.
I’ll try this one next time I need a chocolate fix. 🙂
Oh no. I thought I had found my ultimate chocolate cake and now you’re presenting me with a new one?? Welp.. looks like it’s back to the kitchen again. 😀
Ah, the power of suggestion!
A cappucino fudge cheesecake just caught my eye1
I am big Grey’s Anatomy fan and the picture of Dr. McDreamy with the McDouble Chocolate cake simply makes me Mcdrool!
wow this looks sooooo tasty. i have a terrible addiction to chocolate. i must make this!
OMG that reminds me of this decadent piece of chocolate cake I had while in Nashville. It was this hole in the wall place called ‘Rotieros’ and the guy looked at me twice when I asked for the biggest glass of ice cold milk to go with it. That thought makes my tooth ache but will be trying this recipe for sure!
Penny
A food blogger and a grey’s fan? Oh MY! I am a huge fan but I will take McSteamy anyday over McDreamy hehe…