Would you believe that this 12-layer chocolate cake was made with a single 9-inch cake pan? You better believe it! Rich layers of buttercream sandwiched between moist chocolate cake, my Baking Therapy dessert is a chocolate lover’s dream. Plus, making it is a piece of cake!
Like Sabrina’s baking? Check out her fudgy gluten-free sweet potato brownies.
ingredients
Cake
Buttercream
Milk Soak
directions
This recipe also requires a rest time of 30 to 60 minutes.
For the cake, preheat oven to 350°F. Line and grease a 9-inch round cake pan, dust with cocoa powder, set aside.
In a bowl, whisk together cocoa powder and hot coffee. Let sit for a couple minutes. Stir in milk, sour cream, vanilla extract and salt.
Sift the flour, baking powder and baking soda.
In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar until creamy and light. Add the eggs, one at a time, making sure to mix well after each addition. With the mixer on low, add the wet ingredients and dry ingredients in two additions, ending with the dry. Making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
Transfer the batter to the prepared cake pan. Bake for 38 to 42 minutes until a toothpick, when inserted, comes out clean. Cool in pan for 15 minutes. Then invert, remove from pan and let cool completely.
For the buttercream, sift together the icing sugar, cocoa powder and salt.
In the bowl of a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, whip the butter for 2 minutes until light and creamy. On low speed, add the icing sugar mixture in two batches. Add the melted chocolate, cream and vanilla. Whip on medium-high for 1-2 minutes until light and creamy. Tip: You can make the buttercream ahead of time and store in the fridge. Before you’re ready to use, bring the buttercream to room temperature, rewhip for 1-2 minutes until light and creamy.
For assembly, prepare the milk soak by mixing the milk and vanilla extract. Transfer the chocolate buttercream to a piping bag, with or without a tip works.
Using a cake leveler or serrated knife, level off the top of the cake. Cut the cake in half and then cut each half into three even layers. Finally, cut the cake into quarters, this will give you 12 layers/triangles
Start with one layer, brush on the milk soak, pipe on one even layer of chocolate buttercream and layer on the next layer of cake. Continue layering cake, milk soak, buttercream, ending with the cake layer. Chill in the fridge for 15 to 30 minutes to firm up the buttercream. With the remaining buttercream, ice the outside of the cake. Place in fridge for at least 30 minutes to set. Slice and enjoy!
