Chocolate Cake Recipe

Double Chocolate Layer Cake

Serves 12 to 14

Chef Ed Kasky used Callebaut semisweet chocolate for the cake and Guittard French-vanilla chocolate for the frosting, but any fine-quality semisweet chocolate will produce a wonderful result in either.

INGREDIENTS

For cake layers

• 3 ounces fine-quality semisweet chocolate such as Callebaut

• 1 1/2 cups hot brewed coffee

• 3 cups sugar

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch process)

• 2 teaspoons baking soda

• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder

• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt

• 3 large eggs

• 3/4 cup vegetable oil

• 1 1/2 cups well-shaken buttermilk

• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla

For ganache frosting

• 1 pound fine-quality semisweet chocolate such as Callebaut

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 2 tablespoons sugar

• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup

• 1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter

Special equipment

• Two 10- by 2-inch round cake pans