Description
This is a professional-grade six-layer chocolate cake featuring a perfectly moist crumb enhanced by sour cream and hot coffee. It is frosted with a rich, silky ganache, making it an incredibly decadent dessert perfect for special celebrations and family gatherings.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Dutch-processed cocoa powder
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Milk
- Eggs
- Sour cream
- Vegetable oil
- Vanilla extract
- Espresso powder
- Hot water
- Heavy cream
- Quality chocolate, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line three 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, sour cream, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract.
- Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and whisk until smooth. Dissolve the espresso powder in hot water, then stir it into the batter.
- Divide the batter evenly between the three prepared pans. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool in the pans for 10 minutes before transferring to wire racks.
- For the ganache, heat the heavy cream until steaming, then pour it over the chopped chocolate. Let it sit for two minutes before stirring gently into a glossy, smooth finish.
- Level the cooled cakes with a serrated knife, then slice each horizontally to create six thin layers. Stack them, alternating with a generous amount of ganache, then coat the outside for a rustic look.
Notes
Ensure all cold ingredients, particularly eggs and milk, are brought fully to room temperature before mixing; this aids in better emulsification and a softer crumb. This cake stores exceptionally well due to the use of oil and sour cream, remaining moist for several days covered tightly at room temperature. Always use high-quality chocolate for the ganache, as it forms a significant portion of the final flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American