Ultimate Chocolate Layer Cake

I know that I just got done with the chocolate cake challenge, but I wanted to make a chocolate cake for an early Valentine’s Day treat for my mom. Mike and I usually go to visit her on Sunday nights to visit and play cards.  Some of my siblings usually stop in also and we have a great time together. So I wanted to have something special for everybody to enjoy. And how can you celebrate Valentine’s Day and not have a little chocolate?

My cake was a big success, everybody enjoyed it. By the time that everyone had a piece, there wasn’t much left. I did leave an extra piece for my mom to enjoy for the next day. I love being able to surprise her with something she enjoys, she has done so much for my siblings and me. I feel it is my time to give back to her.

This cake was a luscious chocolaty cake, with a very chocolaty frosting. I used the whipped cream filling that I used in the cake challenge, but with a little twist, I added a few drops of mint extract to give it a minty flavor. We loved the chocolate and mint; it is such a great combination.

Ultimate Chocolate Layer Cake (Adapted from About.com American Food)


Ingredients:
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup boiling water
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup buttermilk
2 cups all-purpose flour

Filling:
1 cup of heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup confectioners sugar
A few drops of mint extract

Chocolate Frosting:
3 cups confectioner’s sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa, at room temperature
3 to 4 tablespoons heavy cream (This was not enough cream the frosting was very dry, I used about 1/2 cup).
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preparation:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease and flour two 8 inch round cake pans.
2. In a small bowl, mix the cocoa and boiling water until blended and smooth.
3. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Beat in the eggs one at a time and beat well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla and salt.
4. Stir the baking soda into the buttermilk. Alternately add the buttermilk and flour to the batter, beating well after each addition until all is blended. Beat in the cocoa mixture until blended. Increase the mixer speed to high and beat for 3 minutes. Divide the batter between the prepared pans and spread evenly.
5. Bake until the cakes pull away from the sides of the pans and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 30 to 35 minutes. Set the pans on a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes. Take cakes out of pans and cool to room temperature.
6. Make the filling: Beat cream with sugar add mint extract and put in refrigerate to chill.
7. Make the frosting: In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar and cocoa until blended. In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the butter until smooth. Add 1 cup of the cocoa mixture and 1 tablespoon of the cream until blended. Repeat adding the cocoa mixture and cream until all is combined, and the frosting is smooth and fluffy. Beat in vanilla and additional cream if necessary for desired consistency.
7. Assemble the cake and enjoy!!