Description
A rich and decadent chocolate cake layered with a luscious chocolate mousse filling and topped with creamy chocolate buttercream. Perfect for special occasions or any chocolate lover!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cake:
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup hot brewed coffee
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
For the Chocolate Mousse Filling:
- 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
- ½ cup heavy cream
For the Chocolate Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar
For Decoration:
- Chocolate decorations (optional): chocolate shavings, brownie bites, mini chocolate chips, chocolate truffles, chocolate curls, chocolate candies
Instructions
- Prepare the Cake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Add the hot coffee and mix well.
- Combine Mixtures: Gradually add wet ingredients to dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Bake the Cake: Divide batter between prepared pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool in pans for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.
- Make the Chocolate Mousse Filling: Melt chocolate and ½ cup heavy cream using a double boiler. Stir until smooth and let cool. In another bowl, whip heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla until soft peaks form. Fold in the cooled chocolate mixture and refrigerate.
- Prepare the Chocolate Buttercream Frosting: Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and cocoa powder, mixing until smooth. Add heavy cream and vanilla, then beat until fluffy.
- Assemble the Cake: Place one layer on a serving plate. Spread mousse on top, add the second layer, and spread more mousse.
- Decorate: Top with your favorite chocolate decorations.
- Chill: Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the cake layers are completely cooled before frosting.
- The mousse filling can be made a day ahead for convenience.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 40g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 90mg