Chocolate Celebration Cake or a Chocolate Nut Cake🎂🧁 with a decorative, varied topping. It's a rich chocolate cake base with a glossy chocolate ganache and a customized nut and candy topping.
Here's a breakdown of how to create a similar cake and a basic recipe to guide you:
Components:
Chocolate Cake Layers:
Recipe (Basic Chocolate Cake):
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (good quality)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup hot brewed coffee
Instructions:
1.Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
2.Whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
3.In a large bowl, combine sugar, buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla. Beat until well blended.
4.Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
5.Stir in the hot coffee. The batter will be thin.
6.Pour batter evenly into prepared pans.
7.Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean.
8.Cool in pans for 10 minutes before inverting onto a wire rack to cool completely.
2.Chocolate Ganache:
-Recipe:
8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 cup heavy cream
Instructions:
1.Place chocolate in a heatproof bowl.
2.Heat heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat until it just begins to simmer.
3.Pour hot cream over chocolate. Let stand for a few minutes.
4.Gently whisk until smooth and glossy.
5.Let ganache cool slightly to thicken before using.
3.Nut and Candy Topping:
-Customizable Selection:
*Nuts: Almonds (sliced, slivered, chopped), pecans, walnuts, peanuts, hazelnuts, pistachios. Consider roasting some for enhanced flavor.
*Candies: M&Ms, chocolate chips, sprinkles, chopped chocolate bars, toffee bits, candied nuts.
4.Chocolate Drip:
-Use leftover ganache or:
*Melt chocolate chips with a little coconut oil or shortening for a smooth drip.
Assembly:
1.Level the Cake Layers: Use a serrated knife to level the tops of the cake layers for even frosting.
2.Frost the First Layer: Place one cake layer on a serving plate or cake stand. Spread a layer of chocolate ganache over the top.
3.Add the Second Layer: Place the second cake layer on top of the frosting.
4.Frost the Entire Cake: Cover the entire cake with the remaining chocolate ganache, creating a smooth finish on the top and sides.
5.Create the Drip: If desired, create a drip effect by drizzling slightly cooled ganache (or melted chocolate) around the top edge of the cake, allowing it to flow down the sides.
6.Apply the Nut and Candy Topping: Carefully arrange your selected nuts and candies on top of the cake, pressing them gently into the ganache. You can create a pattern or simply scatter them randomly.