Triple-Chocolate Layer Cake

With dark and milk chocolate cake layers enrobed in a velvety White Chocolate Buttercream, this ombré Triple-Chocolate Layer Cake is drop-dead decadent.

Triple-Chocolate Layer Cake

Makes 1 (8-inch) cake

Ingredients

Milk chocolate cake layer:

½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar½ cup (110 grams) firmly packed light brown sugar2 large eggs (100 grams)½ teaspoon (2 grams) vanilla extract1¼ cups (156 grams) all-purpose flour2 tablespoons (10 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) baking powder¼ teaspoon (1 gram) baking soda¼ teaspoon kosher salt¾ cup (180 grams) whole buttermilk3 ounces (85 grams) milk chocolate, melted and cooled slightly

Dark chocolate cake layer:

½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly½ cup (100 grams) granulated sugar½ cup (110 grams) firmly packed light brown sugar2 large eggs (100 grams)½ teaspoon (2 grams) vanilla extract1¼ cups (156 grams) all-purpose flour3 tablespoons (15 grams) Dutch process cocoa powder½ teaspoon (2.5 grams) baking powder¼ teaspoon (1 gram) baking soda¼ teaspoon kosher salt¾ cup (180 grams) whole buttermilk3 ounces (85 grams) 60% bittersweet chocolate, melted and cooled slightlyWhite Chocolate Buttercream (recipe follows)Garnish: chopped milk chocolate, chopped bittersweet chocolate, chopped white chocolate

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Spray 2 (3-inch-tall) 8-inch round cake pans (see Note) with baking spray with flour.

For milk chocolate cake layer: In a medium bowl, place melted butter. Whisk in sugars, eggs, and vanilla.

In another medium bowl, whisk together flour, unsweetened cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture, beating just until combined after each addition. Stir in melted milk chocolate until combined. Pour into 1 prepared pan.

For dark chocolate cake layer: In a medium bowl, place melted butter. Whisk in sugars, eggs, and vanilla.

In another medium bowl, whisk together flour, Dutch process cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture, beating just until combined after each addition. Stir in melted bittersweet chocolate until combined. Pour into remaining prepared pan.

Bake until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool in pans for 15 minutes. Remove from pans, and let cool completely on wire racks.

Place dark chocolate cake layer on a cake stand. Spread 1½ cups White Chocolate Buttercream on top. Place milk chocolate cake layer on top of buttercream. Spread remaining White Chocolate Buttercream on top and sides of cake. Garnish with chopped chocolate, if desired.

Notes

Note: You can also bake the cake layers in 2 (9-inch) round cake pans. Bake at 350°F (180°C) for about 40 minutes.

PRO TIP

We used two different kinds of cocoa powder, plain unsweetened cocoa for the milk chocolate cake layer and Dutch process cocoa for the dark chocolate cake layer. This helped us create an ombré look for our cake layers, with the unsweetened cocoa powder imparting a light brown hue than the Dutch process cocoa powder.

White Chocolate Buttercream

Makes about 4 cups

Ingredients

1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened⅛ teaspoon kosher salt12 ounces (340 grams) white chocolate, melted and cooled slightly3 cups (360 grams) confectioners’ sugar3 tablespoons (45 grams) whole milk

Instructions

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat butter and salt at medium speed until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Beat in melted white chocolate. With mixer on low speed, gradually add confectioners’ sugar alternately with milk, beating until combined after each addition. Increase mixer speed to medium, and beat until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes.

The post Triple-Chocolate Layer Cake first appeared on Bake from Scratch.

Dessert

Triple-Chocolate Layer Cake