Description
A soft, chocolate-y layered snack cake with whipped cream filling and glossy ganache, reminiscent of a childhood treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 250 g (2 cups) all-purpose flour
- 60 g (2/3 cup) unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 300 g (1 1/2 cups) granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 240 ml (1 cup) whole buttermilk
- 120 ml (1/2 cup) vegetable oil
- 1 tsp instant espresso powder
- 1 1/2 tsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt
- 480 ml (2 cups) heavy cream (for whipped filling)
- 60 g (1/2 cup) powdered sugar (for whipped filling)
- 1 tsp vanilla (for whipped filling)
- 1 1/2 tsp unflavored gelatin (for whipped filling)
- 300 g (10.5 oz) bittersweet chocolate (for ganache)
- 240 ml (1 cup) heavy cream (for ganache)
- 2 tbsp light corn syrup (optional, for ganache)
- 60 ml (1/4 cup) sugar (for simple syrup, optional)
- 60 ml (1/4 cup) water (for simple syrup, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F) and prepare a 9 x 13-inch pan with parchment paper.
- Whisk together the dry ingredients briefly.
- In a bowl, whisk the eggs, vegetable oil, buttermilk, and vanilla until smooth.
- Stir in the espresso powder.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and fold gently until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30–35 minutes.
- Cool the cake in the pan for 15 minutes, then remove and cool completely.
- Bloom the gelatin over cold water, then whip heavy cream with powdered sugar until soft peaks form.
- Drizzle in the melted gelatin while mixing to stabilize the whipped cream.
- Slice the cake horizontally into layers and spread some whipped filling on top.
- Top with the second layer and chill to set.
- Heat heavy cream for ganache, pour over chopped chocolate, and whisk until smooth.
- Pour the ganache over the chilled cake and let set before slicing to serve.
Notes
For a lighter option, consider substituting with pastry flour. This cake can be made a day ahead, wrapped tightly, and garnished just before serving.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 95mg