chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting

Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe :

Few things in life are as comforting and delightful as a perfectly baked chocolate cake. The marriage of moist, tender cake layers with the creamiest cream cheese frosting is a match made in dessert heaven. This recipe is a testament to the joy that baking can bring to your kitchen and your taste buds. With the right ingredients and a touch of patience, you can create a dessert that’s not only delectable but also a feast for the eyes.

Ingredients:

Chocolate Cake:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (260g)
• 2 cups granulated sugar (400g)
• 3/4 cup unsweetened baking cocoa (75g)
• 2 tsp baking powder (8g)
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda (9g)
• 1 tsp fine salt (6g)
• 1 cup warm water (240g)
• 1 cup buttermilk (240g)
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil (110g)
• 2 large eggs, room temperature (112g)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract (8g)

Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting:

• 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature (339g or 3 sticks)
• 1 cup full-fat cream cheese, room temperature (226g or 8 oz.)
• 1 Tbsp vanilla extract (12ml)
• 1 tsp fine salt (6g)
• 7 cups powdered sugar (904g or a 2 lb. bag)

Instructions:

Chocolate Cake Layers:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line and grease three eight-inch cake pans.
2. In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, sugar, unsweetened baking cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk together until well combined.
3. In another large bowl, combine warm water, buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Stir to combine the wet ingredients.
4. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix until fully incorporated. The batter will have a thin consistency.
5. Divide the batter evenly between the cake pans and bake for 23-26 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
6. Allow the cake layers to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to wire racks to cool completely.

Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting:

1. While the cake layers are baking and cooling, prepare the cream cheese buttercream frosting.
2. Beat the butter and cream cheese until smooth using a stand mixer or hand mixer.
3. Add vanilla extract and salt, mixing until well combined.
4. Gradually incorporate the powdered sugar on low speed, ensuring a smooth frosting consistency.
5. If the frosting is too thick, add heavy cream one tablespoon at a time. If it’s too thin, add powdered sugar in 1/4 cup increments.
6. Cover the cream cheese frosting with plastic wrap to prevent a crust from forming.

Assembling the Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting:

1. Chill the cake layers in the freezer for 20 minutes before stacking them. This will make frosting easier and reduce crumbing.
2. Stack the cake layers on a greaseproof cake board, securing the first layer with a dab of frosting.
3. Spread a thick, even layer of cream cheese frosting on top of each cake layer.
4. Finish by placing the top cake layer upside down to ease frosting.
5. Apply a thin coat of frosting around the cake and chill it in the fridge (10 minutes) or freezer (5 minutes) until the frosting is firm to the touch.
6. Add a thicker layer of cream cheese buttercream and texture the frosting using a spoon or offset spatula.

This Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting recipe is more than just a dessert; it’s a culinary masterpiece that brings joy to any occasion. The rich, moist chocolate layers combined with the smooth cream cheese frosting create a symphony of flavors and textures that will leave your taste buds dancing. With a little patience and attention to detail, you can achieve bakery-level results right in your own kitchen. So, go ahead, bake, and enjoy the sweetness of life!