Almost as good as Mom’s –
Double Chocolate Layer Cake

Instructions

Dark Chocolate Cake

1. Preheat oven to 350 F degrees. Grease, line with parchment paper and flour 2 9-inch cake pans.
2. In a medium sauce pan, melt the butter. Add the coffee, espresso powder, cocoa powder, and vanilla and whisk until combined. Set aside to cool slightly.
3. In a large bowl, sift together the sugar, flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the sour cream and the eggs. SLOWLY add a few tablespoons of the chocolate mixture to the sour cream and eggs. Whisk to combine. In a slow stream, whisk in the remaining chocolate mixture until combined completely.
5. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture and pour in wet. Using a whisk, stir until no more lumps remain.
6. Divide the batter evenly into the 2 prepared pans. Each pan should get 3 cups of batter.
7. Bake 26-28 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes before removing from the pans to cool on a wire rack.
8. Once the cakes have cooled, but are still warm, use a cake leveler to cut off the round mound on the top of the cake. Make sure both layers are the same height.

Whipped Chocolate Frosting

1. In the bowl of your stand mixer, whip the butter until smooth.
2. Add the dark chocolate cocoa powder and mix on medium-high until combined.
3. Add the sugar and salt and mix until incorporated. The frosting will be very thick.
4. Mix in the vanilla extract and 1/4 cup of heavy whipping cream and mix until smooth. Scrape the sides of the bowl and mix again for 20 seconds.
5. Add 3-4 Tbsp more of heavy cream until you have reached your desired consistency. Scrape the sides of the bowl and whip on high for 3-4 minutes.

Assembly

1. Place a piece of wax paper on your rotating cake prep stand and place the flattest side of one layer on it. Spread a thick layer of frosting on the top of this layer of cake.
2. Place the second layer, flat side UP, on top of the frosting.
3. Crumb coat the entire cake. (A crumb coat is a very thin layer of frosting that seals in the crumbs.) Place cake in the freezer for about 10 minutes.
4. Spread a 1/2 inch layer of frosting on the top and side of the cake. Using an offset spatula, smooth out the sides.
5. Spread an even layer of chocolate shavings on the top of the cake. Place cake back in freezer for 10-15 minutes.
6. Gently slide the cake off the wax paper and place it onto your cake stand.
7. Press remaining chocolate shavings onto the bottom edge of the cake closets to the cake stand.
8. Serve with a giant glass of milk and a big scoop of vanilla ice cream!