Dark Chocolate Layer Cake Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease 3 - 9 inch round cake pans. In medium bowl, pour boiling water over cocoa, and whisk until smooth. Let mixture cool. Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt; set aside.
• In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at time, then stir in vanilla. Add the flour mixture alternately with the cocoa mixture. Spread batter evenly between the 3 prepared pans.
• Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Allow to cool.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 8-inch round cake pans.
• Sift cake flour, sugar, 1/2 cup cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt together in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Add 1 stick butter and oil and beat on slow speed for 1 to 2 minutes. Increase speed to high for 4 minutes. Turn off mixer and scrape sides of the bowl. Add 1 cup milk, eggs, applesauce, and chocolate extract and beat on medium speed until well combined into a thick batter. Pour evenly into the prepared cake pans.
• Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick comes out clean and the center springs back to a light touch, 25 to 35 minutes. Allow to cool completely, about 30 minutes. Slice each cake in half horizontally to create 4 layers.
• Combine semi-sweet chocolate chips and bittersweet chocolate chips in the top of a double boiler set over hot but not boiling water. Stir until chocolate is melted and smooth, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit.
• Cream 2 sticks butter in the bowl of the stand mixer. Mix on low speed and add confectioners' sugar, 8 tablespoons milk, 1 tablespoon chocolate extract, and 1 teaspoon cocoa. Scrape the bowl and add melted chocolate chips. Mix frosting until fluffy and light.
• Pour raspberry preserves in a microwave-safe bowl and warm in the microwave oven for 1 minute; stir well.
• Place the first cake layer on a serving plate and spread 1/2 the jar of preserves just to the edge. Lay the second layer on top and spread about 1 cup of frosting just to the edge. Lay the third layer down and spread remaining preserves just to the edge. Lay the final layer down and frost the entire cake with a thin crumb-coating of frosting, reserving remaining frosting. Refrigerate cake for 30 minutes.
• Remove cake from refrigerator and decorate as desired with remaining frosting.

Steps:

• Line a 5-3/4x3x2-in. loaf pan with parchment; coat with cooking spray. In a small saucepan, melt butter; stir in brown sugar and cream. Cook and stir over low heat until sugar dissolves. Pour into prepared pan. Top with pecans. Cover and refrigerate., In a small bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with water. Beat just until combined. , Pour over pecans. Bake at 325° until a toothpick comes out clean, 25-30 minutes. Cool completely in pan., In a small bowl, beat cream until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners' sugar and vanilla; beat until stiff peaks form. Remove cake from pan; split into two horizontal layers. Place bottom cake layer, nut side up, on a serving plate. Spread with half of the topping. Top with remaining layer and topping. If desired, garnish with chocolate curls and chopped pecans.

Steps:

• Set oven to 350 degrees F.
• Line bottoms of two buttered 9-inch round cake pans with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar, until light and fluffy (about 5 minutes).
• Add in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Beat in vanilla and coffee granules.
• Sift together flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in a bowl.
• Add the flour mixture into the creamed mixture, alternating with the buttermilk, in three additions, scraping down the sides of bowl each time.
• Divide batter between prepared pans.
• Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until cake tests done.
• Turn onto a rack and remove paper.
• Cool and frost.
• FOR FROSTING: Beat butter until creamy.
• Blend in cream and vanilla; beat until very smooth.
• Add the cocoa and icing sugar.
• Beat on high for 45 seconds.