The Devils Advocate Dutch Recipes

Steps:

• 1. Beat the egg yolks, sugar, salt and vanilla seeds until the mixture is pale yellow and thickened, about 3 to 5 minutes.
• 2. While still beating, slowly pour in the brandy and continue beating beating until well-blended.
• 3. Pour the mixture into the top of a double boiler over Low heat, continuously whisking, for about 5 minutes or until thickened but does not reach a boil.
• 4. Remove the saucepan from the heat, and whisk in the vanilla extract.
• 5. Allow Advocaat to cool about 1/2 hour. Then pour into a sterile glass container, cover container, and keep in the refrigerator until ready to use. It should keep 3 to 5 days if kept chilled in the refrigerator.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter two 9-inch round cake pans. Line bottoms with parchment rounds; butter parchment. Stir together boiling water, cocoa, and chocolate in a bowl. Let cool 10 minutes. Whisk together flour, baking powder and soda, and salt in another bowl.
• In a mixing bowl, beat butter with sugar on medium-high until fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, scraping down sides of bowl. Beat in vanilla, then chocolate mixture. Reduce speed to low; beat in flour mixture in two additions, alternating with sour cream, until just combined.
• Divide batter evenly between prepared pans, smoothing tops with an offset spatula. Bake until a tester inserted in centers comes out with moist crumbs attached, 35 to 40 minutes.
• Let cakes cool in pans on a wire rack 20 minutes. Turn out onto rack, top-sides up; let cool completely. With a serrated knife, trim tops of cakes so they're level.
• Line the edges of a cake stand or plate with strips of parchment. Place one cake layer on stand, trimmed-side up, and spread 1 1/2 cups buttercream evenly over top. Top with remaining cake layer, trimmed-side down.
• Spread a thin layer of buttercream over top and sides. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes (this ensures a crumb-free finish). Spread remaining frosting evenly over top and sides. Cake can be stored in refrigerator up to 1 day; bring to room temperature before serving.