CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM CAKE (INA GARTEN)

Chocolate Buttercream Cake (Ina Garten) image

This is an exceptionally moist classic chocolate layer cake with a very rich chocolate butter cream frosting. The recipe comes from Larry Hayden, pastry chef at Union Square Cafi. It was printed in "The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook". If you like, you can use yogurt rather than the sour cream. It also works well as cupcakes.

Provided by blucoat

Categories Dessert

Time 1h15m

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 23

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature
1 teaspoon espresso powder
2 tablespoons milk
10 ounces bittersweet chocolate
8 ounces semisweet chocolate
1/2 cup egg white, at room temperature (from 3 extra-large eggs)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 pinch cream of tartar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 lb unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 teaspoons instant espresso powder dissolved in 1 tsp water
2 tablespoons dark rum (optional)

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 350°F Butter two 8-inch round cake pans. Line the bottoms with parchment paper, butter the paper, and dust the pans with flour, knocking out any excess. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugars on high speed until light, approximately 5 minutes. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well. Combine the buttermilk, sour cream, and coffee. On low speed, add the flour mixture and the buttermilk mixture alternately in thirds, beginning with the buttermilk mixture and ending with the flour mixture. Mix the batter only until blended.
Divide the batter between the two pans and smooth the tops with a spatula. Bake on the middle rack of the oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes on a rack, remove from the pans, and allow to finish cooling.
To make the frosting, chop the chocolates and melt in a bowl over simmering water until smooth. Allow to cool.
Mix the egg whites, sugar, cream of tartar and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk. Heat the egg whites in the bowl over simmering water until they are warm to the touch, about 5 minutes. Whisk on high speed for 5 minutes or until the meringue is cool and holds a stiff peak.
Add the butter, 1 tablespoons at a time, while beating on medium speed. Scrape down the bowl, add the chocolate, vanilla, and espresso and mix for 1 minute or until the chocolate is completely blended inches If the buttercream seems very soft, allow it to cool and beat it again.
To frost the cake, place one cake layer on a serving plate, flat side up. Frost the top of that layer with buttercream. Place the second layer on top, also flat side up and frost the top and sides.