Richfourlayerchocolatecake Recipes

Steps:

• For the puree: Place the raspberries in a blender and blend until smooth (yields 1 1/4 cups of puree). Remove 1/4 cup of puree and reserve.
• For the cake: Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter and flour the bottom and sides of two 8- or 9-inch round nonstick baking pans. Set aside.
• Place 1 tablespoon of the cake mix and the chocolate chips in a small bowl. Toss until the chocolate chips are coated.
• In a large bowl, combine the remaining cake mix, 1 cup of the raspberry puree, vegetable oil, eggs and 1/4 cup water. Using an electric hand mixer, blend on low speed for 30 seconds. Increase the speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes, scraping the bottom and sides of the bowl with a spatula as needed. Mix in the chocolate chips. Divide the batter between the prepared pans and bake until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes.
• Cool the pans on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Remove the cakes from the pans and cool completely on a wire rack, about 1 hour.
• For the frosting: In a large bowl, combine the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, butter, cream cheese and sour cream. Using an electric hand mixer, beat on low speed until smooth. Increase the speed to high and beat until light and fluffy, about 1 minute.
• In a small bowl, mix together 3/4 cup of the frosting and the reserved 1/4 cup puree until smooth.
• To assemble the cake: Place one cake layer, flat side-up, on a cake stand. Using a spatula, spread the raspberry-chocolate frosting over the cake layer leaving a 1/2-inch border. Place the other cake layer on top. Frost the top and sides of the cake with the remaining chocolate frosting. Decorate with fresh raspberries or chocolate curls. Using a damp knife cut the cake into wedges and serve.
• Cake can be made 1 day in advance. Refrigerate in an airtight plastic container. Allow the cake to stand at room temperature for 1 hour before serving.

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter three 8-inch round cake pans. Line the pans with parchment paper, then butter the parchment. Dust with flour, tapping out the excess.
• Whisk together the all-purpose and cake flours, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until pale and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the egg whites 1 at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Beat in the vanilla. Reduce the mixer speed to low and gradually add the flour mixture in 2 batches, alternating with the milk and beginning and ending with the flour. Beat until just incorporated. Fold in the sprinkles.
• Divide the batter evenly among the pans and bake the cakes until golden at the edges and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer the pans to wire racks and cool 15 minutes. Turn the cakes out of the pans and return to the racks to cool completely.
• For the frosting: While the cake layers are cooling, whisk together the sugar and egg whites in a heatproof mixing bowl set over (not inside) a pan of simmering water. Whisk until the mixture is warm and the sugar is dissolved (it should feel completely smooth when rubbed between your fingers), 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment.
• Whisk the egg white mixture on medium speed for 5 minutes. Increase the speed to medium high and whisk the meringue until stiff, glossy peaks form and the bottom of the mixing bowl is cool to the touch, about 7 minutes.
• Reduce the speed to medium low. Add the butter a few tablespoons at a time, beating well after each addition. (If the frosting appears to separate after all of the butter has been added, simply increase the speed to medium high and beat until smooth again.) Add the vanilla and salt and continue beating until the frosting is smooth and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Trim the tops of the cooled cake layers with a knife so they are flat. Place the bottom layer on a cake stand or platter and spread evenly with about 1 cup of the frosting. Place the second layer on top of the first. Spread evenly with about 1 cup frosting. Place the remaining layer on top of the second layer. Spread the remaining frosting over the top and sides of the cake, using an offset spatula to create large swirls. Decorate with sprinkles as desired.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F.
• In a large mixing bowl, sift together dry ingredients. Add oil, coffee and milk and mix at medium speed for 2 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla and beat 2 more minutes. Expect batter to be thin.
• Pour into a 9" x 13" greased and floured pan or 2- 9" round pans. Bake 9 x 13 pan for about 45 minutes or 9" pans for about 30 minutes. Cool in pans for about 15 minutes and then cool completely on racks.
• While cake is cooling make the icing: Combine the milk and flour in a saucepan and cook over low heat until thick, whisking constantly. Cover and refrigerate until chilled.
• In a medium bowl, beat butter, shortening, sugar and vanilla until creamy. Add chilled milk and flour mixture and beat for 10 minutes. Frost cooled cake and enjoy! The frosting sounds intimidating, but it is worth it! By the way, for some reason, we prefer this cake chilled, right out of the refrigerator. The rich chocolate and cool frosting just seem to taste best this way.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• In a medium bowl, mix confectioners' sugar, cake flour, and cocoa. Sift together 2 times, and set aside.
• In a clean large bowl, whip egg whites, salt, and cream of tartar with an electric mixer on high speed until very stiff. Fold in white sugar 2 tablespoons at a time while continuing to mix. Fold in flour mixture, a little at a time, until fully incorporated. Stir in vanilla. Pour into a 10 inch tube pan.
• Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for approximately 1 hour, or until cake springs back when touched.

Steps:

• Mix together dry ingredients.
• Combine wet ingredients in a separate bowl.
• Combine dry and wet ingredients together (I gently whisk them together with a fork).
• Transfer mixture to a greased cake pan or cupcake tins. (Mixture usually fits one 13" x 9" pan or two 8" or 9" round pans.).
• Bake at 350 degrees F for approximately 30 minutes. (Bake for approximately 15 minutes if making cupcakes).
• Set aside to cool before frosting.
• To begin the Chocolate Cocoa Frosting beat powdered sugar and butter until blended. (If using an electric mixer, use low speed).
• Stir in vanilla extract and cocoa powder.
• Gradually beat in just enough milk to make frosting smooth and spreadable. If frosting becomes too thin, add more powdered sugar.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9 inch cake pans.
• Use the first set of ingredients to make the cake. In a medium bowl, stir together the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add the eggs, milk, oil and vanilla, mix for 3 minutes with an electric mixer. Stir in the boiling water by hand. Pour evenly into the two prepared pans.
• Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to cool completely.
• To make the frosting, use the second set of ingredients. Cream butter until light and fluffy. Stir in the cocoa and confectioners' sugar alternately with the milk and vanilla. Beat to a spreading consistency.
• Split the layers of cooled cake horizontally, cover the top of each layer with frosting, then stack them onto a serving plate. Frost the outside of the cake.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray two 8-inch cake pans with nonstick cooking spray and line the bottoms with parchment. Spray the parchment and dust with flour.
• Whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.
• Beat together the butter and sugar in a stand mixer until light and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the eggs one at time and beat until incorporated. Add the sour cream and continue to beat until fully incorporated. Then add the vanilla.
• Stir together the instant espresso powder with the hot water in a spouted measuring cup. With the mixer running, add the dry ingredients in two additions, alternating with the espresso.
• Divide the batter between the cake pans and bake until a tester inserted in the centers comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Cool the cakes in the pans on a rack for 10 minutes, then remove the cakes to the rack to cool completely.
• Slice a thin layer from the top of each cooled cake with a serrated knife to remove the domed top. With a serrated knife, slice the layers in half horizontally to make 4 layers. Spread buttercream on the cut side of a layer and sandwich another layer on top. Repeat with the remaining frosting and layers, leaving the last top layer unfrosted.
• Apply a thin crumb-coat of frosting to the entire cake and chill in the refrigerator at least 15 minutes to set. Use the remaining frosting to generously frost the cake.
• Put the egg whites and sugar into a large bowl set over a double boiler. Whisk constantly until the sugar melts and the mixture is very thin and warm.
• Pour the egg whites into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and whisk on high speed until stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes. Turn to low speed and continue beating until cool, about 10 minutes.
• Turn the mixer to medium speed and whisk in the butter in small pieces. (The mixture may look curdled before it comes together.) Add the vanilla extract. Re-beat the mixture as needed to keep it smooth as you frost your cake.

Steps:

• Crust Layer- Mix crust ingredients, press into 13x9" baking dish, and bake 25 minutes at 325 degrees.
• Cream Cheese Layer- Mix ingredients and spread over COOLED crust.
• Pudding Layer- Mix ingredients, spread over cream cheese layer.
• Cover dessert and put in refrigerator to set.
• Topping Layer- Once dessert has set, spread top with Cool Whip, nuts, and grated chocolate bar.

Steps:

• For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease three 8-inch-round cake pans with butter and line with parchment paper.
• Place the sugar and oil in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and beat on medium speed until combined. Add the eggs, one by one, until completely incorporated. Add the vanilla extract and buttermilk and continue mixing until combined.
• Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Mix together the coffee and warm water. Alternate adding the dry ingredients and the coffee mixture into the bowl of the stand mixer, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until you don't see any lumps and a thin batter has formed.
• Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans and bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle of each cake comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Transfer the pans to a wire rack and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Remove the cakes from the pans and set on the wire rack to cool completely, about 1 hour.
• For the dark chocolate mousse: Place the dark chocolate in a large bowl and set aside. Pour 1 cup of the heavy cream into a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Pour the cream over the chocolate, cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and let sit for 3 minutes.
• Remove the towel and slowly whisk the ganache until it's smooth and shiny. Set aside to cool to about room temperature.
• Meanwhile, whip the remaining cup of heavy cream to stiff peaks in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, or by hand. Using a rubber spatula, fold one-fourth of the whipped cream into the cooled ganache to lighten the consistency, then fold that mixture into the remaining whipped cream until almost completely combined with just a few streaks. Add the vanilla and salt and gently fold until combined into a light, fluffy mousse.
• For the chocolate fudge buttercream frosting: Place the sugar, hot fudge, cocoa powder, butter, milk, vanilla extract and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and beat on low speed to combine. When the sugar is incorporated, increase the speed to medium and beat until the buttercream is smooth and satiny, 8 to 10 minutes.
• For the chocolate royal icing: Place the confectioners' sugar, cocoa powder, meringue powder and water in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and whip on low speed to combine. Increase the speed to medium-high and whip until the icing holds stiff peaks, 5 to 8 minutes. If it seems too soft, add more confectioners' sugar in 1 tablespoon increments. If it is too stiff, add a bit more water, drop by drop. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a medium star tip.
• For the white chocolate ganache: Place the white chocolate in a medium bowl and set aside. Pour the cream into a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Pour the cream over the chocolate, cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and let sit for 3 minutes.
• Remove the towel and slowly whisk the ganache until it's smooth and shiny. Set aside to cool to about room temperature, then transfer to a piping bag fitted with a medium star tip.
• To assemble, level the tops of the cakes with a serrated knife or cake leveler. Spread half of the mousse over the top of one cake layer. Stack the second layer and repeat. Add the third cake layer and frost the top and sides with a thin coat of the buttercream. Refrigerate until the frosting is firm, 20 to 30 minutes.
• When the cake is ready, frost the top and sides with a thicker layer of the buttercream and refrigerate again until very firm, about 1 hour.
• When the cake is almost ready, lightly dust your work area with cornstarch and roll the fondant into a circle about 20-inches wide and 1/8-inch thick. Drape the rolled fondant over the cake and, using a fondant smoother or your hands, lightly press and smooth it onto the cake, working your way from the top down the sides. Pop any air bubbles with a cake tester or toothpick and continue to smooth the surface.
• Trim any excess fondant from the base of the cake with a pizza cutter. Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the bottom half of the cake with the piping gel, then cover it with chocolate sprinkles.
• Pipe a scalloped border around the edge with the chocolate royal icing. Pipe little rosettes of the white chocolate ganache around the cake and press 1 hazelnut truffle onto each. Continue to pipe and decorate with the royal icing, white chocolate ganache and hazelnut truffles to your liking.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Spray 2 8-inch cake pans with non-stock cooking spray. Line bottoms with wax or parchment paper and spray paper. Dust with flour; set aside.
• Cake: Beat devil's food cake mix, cocoa, mayonnaise, eggs and water until blended. Beat two more minutes on high. Divide cake batter evenly into two pans.
• Bake about 35 minutes or until tests done. Cool for 20 minutes in pans and then remove onto racks. Peel off paper to cool completely.
• Filling: Whisk frosting, sour cream and vanilla. Transfer 1 1/2 cups into a medium bowl and stir in almonds and coconut; set aside.
• Frost the Cake: Using a serrated knife, split each cake in half. Place one layer, split side down, on serving platter. Place 1/3 of filling on top of layer and spread evenly. Repeat with following layers until final cake layer. Spread frosting over the top and sides of cake. Can store up to 4 days.

Steps:

• For the cake: Spray an 8-inch square cake pan with cooking spray, then line with parchment, allowing the parchment to hang over the sides. Spray the parchment paper with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the cookies and baking powder in a food processor and process until fine crumbs form. With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the milk. Continue to process until you have a smooth batter, about 2 minutes.
• Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 20 to 22 minutes.
• For the icing: Meanwhile, combine the powdered sugar and milk in a large bowl. Whisk until smooth, then set aside.
• Allow the cake to cool slightly in the pan before carefully removing it from the pan using the parchment overhang and placing it on a platter.
• Allow to cool completely, about 30 minutes. Pour the icing over the top and spread it all over. Top with the sprinkles, then slice and serve.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350˚F (180˚C). Line an 8-inch (20-cm) square baking pan with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder, and 6 tablespoons of melted butter until fully incorporated and the mixture looks rich and chocolaty.
• Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking pan and pack down to cover the bottom of the pan in an even layer.
• Bake for 10 minutes, then let cool.
• Reduce the oven temperature to 325˚F (160˚C).
• Separate the eggs into two large bowls.
• Add the remaining ¾ cup (150 G) of granulated sugar to the egg yolks and whisk until pale yellow.
• Add the remaining ½ cup (115 G) of melted butter and the vanilla and mix until fully incorporated.
• Sift in the flour and ⅓ cup (40 g) of cocoa powder and mix thoroughly.
• Slowly add the milk, stirring continuously, until a very wet batter forms. Set aside.
• Beat the egg whites with an electric hand mixer until frothy. Add the cream of tartar and continue beating until medium peaks form. Whisk ⅓ of the egg whites into the egg yolk batter, then gently fold in the remaining egg whites with a rubber spatula.
• Pour the batter over the graham cracker crust and bake for 40 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center jiggles slightly. Let cool for at least 1 hour.
• In a large bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form and the cream has doubled in volume.
• Sift in the remaining 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder and the powdered sugar and fold with a rubber spatula to incorporate.
• Invert the cooled cake onto a cutting board. Remove the parchment paper and flip the cake again so the graham cracker crust is on the bottom.
• Spread the chocolate whipped cream onto the cake.
• Slice and serve.
• Enjoy!