Valentines Chocolate Layer Cake (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Cake

01 - 1 teaspoon salt
02 - 3/4 cup (62g) unsweetened natural cocoa powder
03 - 2 teaspoons baking soda
04 - 1 3/4 cups (219g) all-purpose flour
05 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
06 - 2 teaspoons espresso powder (optional)
07 - 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil
08 - 1 cup (240ml) strong hot coffee
09 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
10 - 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk, room temperature
11 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
12 - 1 3/4 cups (350g) granulated sugar

→ Chocolate Buttercream

13 - 3/4 cup (65g) unsweetened cocoa powder
14 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
15 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
16 - 1 1/4 cups (282g) unsalted butter, softened
17 - 3-5 tablespoons heavy cream
18 - 3 1/2 cups (420g) confectioners' sugar

→ Decoration

19 - Semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)

# Instructions:

01 - Turn your oven to 350°F (177°C). Coat your two 9-inch pans with grease and put down parchment paper.
02 - In a big mixing bowl, stir together the cocoa powder, sugar, espresso powder, salt, flour, baking powder, and baking soda.
03 - Stir the oil, eggs, and vanilla together. Pour in the buttermilk. Add this to the dry mix along with the hot coffee. Blend until your batter is smooth.
04 - Pour the batter evenly into the pans. Bake for 23-26 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let the cakes cool completely.
05 - Whip the butter until soft. Little by little, mix in the cocoa, sugar, vanilla, cream, and salt. Beat it until it's creamy and spreadable.
06 - If needed, trim the tops of your cakes to make them flat. Spread some frosting on one cake layer, stack the other on top, and coat the whole thing. Sprinkle with chocolate chips if you'd like.
07 - Chill it for 30-60 minutes before slicing into it. Serve cool or let it sit out for a bit to reach room temp.

# Notes:

01 - Don't use dutch-process cocoa, go for natural cocoa.
02 - Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature.
03 - You can prep this ahead and pop it in the freezer.
04 - Adding coffee really boosts the chocolate flavor.

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