Babs Chocolate Birthday Cake With Buttercream Icing Recipes

CHOCOLATE BIRTHDAY CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray 3 9 inch round pans with non-stick baking spray.
• Add eggs and sugar to bowl of your stand mixer and beat on high speed for 2-3 minutes.
• While mixture beats, add cocoa powder, instant coffee powder and salt to hot water. Add to eggs and sugar.
• Next slow down mixer and add flour, baking soda, and baking powder then add vegetable oil, buttermilk and vanilla extract to the mixer and beat until just combined. Batter will be sort of thin but this is normal.
• Evenly add cake batter to all three pans and bake for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Allow to rest for 10 minutes before removing from pans to cool completely.
• Add butter, confectioner's sugar and cocoa powder to bowl of mixer and mix on high speed until smooth.
• Lastly add in vanilla extract and milk until frosting is fluffy and smooth.
• Frost each layer of cake with frosting then frost the entire cake and serve.

TRIPLE CHOCOLATE LAYER CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease two 9-inch cake pans, line with parchment paper, then grease the parchment paper. Parchment paper helps the cakes seamlessly release from the pans.
• Whisk the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and espresso powder (if using) together in a large bowl. Set aside. Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or you can use a whisk) mix the oil, eggs, and vanilla together on medium-high speed until combined. Add the buttermilk and mix until combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, add the hot water/coffee, and whisk or beat on low speed until the batter is completely combined. Batter is thin.
• Divide batter evenly between pans. Bake for 23-26 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Baking times vary, so keep an eye on yours. The cakes are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. (Note: Even if they're completely done, the cooled cakes may *slightly* sink in the center. Cocoa powder is simply not as structurally strong as all-purpose flour and can't hold up to all the moisture necessary to make a moist tasting chocolate cake. It's normal!)
• Remove the cakes from the oven and set on a wire rack. Allow to cool completely in the pan.
• With a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy - about 2 minutes. Add confectioners' sugar, cocoa powder, 3 Tablespoons heavy cream, salt, and vanilla extract. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds, then increase to high speed and beat for 1 full minute. Do not over-whip. Add 1/4 cup more confectioners' sugar or cocoa powder if frosting is too thin or 1-2 more Tablespoons of cream if frosting is too thick. (I usually add 1 more.) Taste. Add another pinch of salt if desired.
• If cooled cakes are domed on top, use a large serrated knife to slice a thin layer off the tops to create a flat surface. This is called "leveling" the cakes. Discard or crumble over finished cake. Place 1 cake layer on your cake stand or serving plate. Evenly cover the top with frosting. Top with 2nd layer and spread remaining frosting all over the top and sides. I always use an icing spatula and bench scraper for the frosting. Garnish with chocolate chips, if desired.
• Refrigerate cake for at least 30-60 minutes before slicing. This helps the cake hold its shape when cutting.
• Cover leftover cake tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

BABS CHOCOLATE BIRTHDAY CAKE WITH BUTTERCREAM ICING

Steps:

• For cake: Put oven on to 350°F Grease and flour two 8-inch cake pans.
• In a large bowl, mix together first five (dry) ingredients. Make well in bowl for wet ingredients.
• In a separate medium bowl, mix together oil, milk and eggs. Pour into the well in dry ingredients.
• As you begin to beat the batter, add the cup of hot coffee. Beat until well mixed then for two minutes on high.
• Pour into prepared pans. Bake for 30 minutes or until toothpick placed in center comes out dry.
• Cool for 10 minutes. Remove from pans and continue to cool on racks until completely cooled. Finish by icing with Buttercream that follows:.
• For Icing: Cream butter and shortening with mixer. Add vanilla extract.
• Gradually add confectioners' sugar while continually beating with mixer. Icing will seem dry.
• Add milk continually, mixing and scraping sides of bowl, until icing appears light and right consistency for icing cake.
• Cover until you are ready to icing. May be stored in refrigerator for 2 weeks if not used completely.
• Makes about 3 cups.

CONFETTI BIRTHDAY CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottoms of 3 greased 8-in. round baking pans with parchment; grease paper. In a large bowl, cream butter, oil and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, then egg whites, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition. Fold in sprinkles., Transfer to prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 20-25 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely., For buttercream, in a large microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate chips and cream. Microwave on high 30 seconds. Stir gently. Continue microwaving on high, stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and blended; cool to room temperature. In another large bowl, beat butter until creamy. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth. Add vanilla and salt. Beat in cooled chocolate. Beat until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes., To assemble cake, place 1 cake layer on a serving plate; spread with 3/4 cup frosting. Repeat layers. Top with remaining cake layer. Frost top and sides of cake with 1/2 cup frosting. Freeze until set, about 10 minutes. Frost top and sides with remaining frosting.