Description
Rich chocolate cake layers studded with chocolate chips merge classic dessert traditions from Mexico and Belgium. Ganache frosting and chocolate shavings complete this indulgent culinary experience you’ll savor to the last delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
- 8 oz dark chocolate, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare workspace by warming oven to 350°F and coating two 9-inch cake pans with butter and flour.
- Sift together cocoa powder, flour, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Using an electric mixer, whip butter and sugar until light and airy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Incorporate eggs individually into butter mixture, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Blend in vanilla extract.
- Gradually introduce dry ingredients and buttermilk to the wet mixture, alternating between the two. Mix until just combined.
- Gently stir in hot water, creating a smooth, silky batter with a rich chocolate color.
- Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly throughout the batter, folding gently to distribute.
- Divide batter equally between prepared cake pans, smoothing surfaces with a spatula.
- Bake in preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Remove cakes and allow to cool completely on wire racks for approximately 1 hour.
- Prepare ganache by heating cream until steaming, then pouring over chopped dark chocolate.
- Whisk chocolate and cream until glossy and uniform in texture.
- Once cakes are cooled, generously spread ganache over layers, creating a decadent chocolate finish.
Notes
- Modify the cake’s richness by using dark or milk chocolate chips for varied flavor profiles.
- Replace buttermilk with yogurt or almond milk for dairy-free alternatives without compromising moisture.
- Control cake’s texture by ensuring ingredients are room temperature, helping them blend smoothly and evenly.
- Enhance chocolate intensity by adding espresso powder, which deepens the cake’s complex chocolate notes without adding coffee flavor.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg