RICH MOIST CHOCOLATE CAKE RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 160C/fan 140C/gas 3. Butter and line a 20cm round cake tin (7.5cm deep).
• Put 200g chopped dark chocolate in a medium pan with 200g butter.
• Mix 1 tbsp instant coffee granules into 125ml cold water and pour into the pan.
• Warm through over a low heat just until everything is melted – don’t overheat. Or melt in the microwave for about 5 minutes, stirring halfway through.
• Mix 85g self-raising flour, 85g plain flour, ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda, 200g light muscovado sugar, 200g golden caster sugar and 25g cocoa powder, and squash out any lumps.
• Beat 3 medium eggs with 75ml buttermilk.
• Pour the melted chocolate mixture and the egg mixture into the flour mixture and stir everything to a smooth, quite runny consistency.
• Pour this into the tin and bake for 1hr 25 – 1hr 30 mins. If you push a skewer into the centre it should come out clean and the top should feel firm (don’t worry if it cracks a bit).
• Leave to cool in the tin (don’t worry if it dips slightly), then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Cut the cold cake horizontally into three.
• To make the ganache, put 200g chopped dark chocolate in a bowl.  Pour 300ml double cream into a pan, add 2 tbsp golden caster sugar and heat until it is about to boil.
• Take off the heat and pour it over the chocolate. Stir until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth. Cool until it is a little thicker but still pourable.
• Sandwich the layers together with just a little of the ganache. Pour the rest over the cake letting it fall down the sides and smooth over any gaps with a palette knife.
• Decorate with 50g grated chocolate or 100g chocolate curls. The cake keeps moist and gooey for 3-4 days.

Steps:

• Place 2 sticks unsalted butter in a stand mixer (or large bowl if using an electric hand mixer). Place 3 large eggs, 2 large egg yolks, and 1 cup sour cream on the counter. Let everything sit at room temperature until the butter is softened, at least 1 hour.
• Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 350ºF. Coat 2 (9-inch) round cake pans with cooking spray, then line the bottom of each pan with a parchment paper round. Place 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder, 2 teaspoons baking soda, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt in a medium bowl and whisk to combine.
• Add 1 cup packed light brown sugar and 1 cup granulated sugar to the bowl of butter. Beat on medium speed with the paddle attachment until fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes. Stop the mixer and scrape down the paddle and sides of the bowl. Beat in the eggs and egg yolks one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stop and scrape down the bowl again. Beat in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract.
• With the mixer on the lowest speed, beat in 1/3 of the flour mixture, then 1/2 cup of the sour cream. Beat in 1/2 of the remaining flour mixture, then the remaining sour cream. Beat in the remaining flour mixture until just combined. Add 1 cup hot coffee and whisk in by hand until just combined.
• Divide the batter between the cake pans and spread into an even layer. Bake until a tester inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean, 38 to 44 minutes. Place the cakes on a wire rack and let cool for 20 minutes. Flip the cakes out of the pans onto the rack, discard the parchment, and let cool completely, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, make the frosting.
• Finely chop 12 ounces semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate and place in a large bowl. Heat 1 cup heavy cream in a small saucepan over low heat until small bubbles form around the edges, 6 to 8 minutes. (Alternatively, microwave the cream until it begins to bubble, about 2 minutes.)
• Slowly pour the cream over the chocolate and whisk until the chocolate is melted completely. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and whisk to combine. Refrigerate uncovered until the ganache sets, about 30 minutes, stirring after 15 minutes to keep the ganache smooth.
• Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or an electric hand mixer, whip the ganache on medium-high speed until fluffy and lightened in color, 3 to 4 minutes. Frost the top and sides of the cake with an offset spatula.