Ingredients: |
Ingredients: Caramel 1 c. sugar 1/4 c. heavy cream
Caramel/Chocolate Swiss Meringue Buttercream 1 3/4 c. sugar 8 egg whites (save 2 yolks for the cake recipe!) 3 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, cubed and at room temperature 2 tsp. vanilla extract Resulting caramel from above recipe 1/4 c. dark chocolate, melted and cooled
Super Chocolate Cake 3/4 c. heavy cream 1 c. dark chocolate chips (I used 52%) 2 c. flour 1 tsp. baking powder ½ tsp. salt 3/4 c. butter, cubed and at room temp 1 c. firmly packed brown sugar 2 eggs + 2 yolks, at room temperature 1 tsp. vanilla
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Directions: |
Directions:Caramel 1. Prepare a small bowl by rubbing it with shortening/butter or spraying it with Pam so that the cooling caramel will not stick to it completely. Set aside.
2. Cook the sugar in a heavy-bottom pan until a dark amber color. Remove from heat and pour in the cream, stirring gently until combined and no longer bubbling. Pour into the prepared bowl and let rest until cool to the touch.
3. The goal is to have a very soft caramel that is a little runny when cooled. You'll be adding it to buttercream.
Caramel/Chocolate Swiss Meringue Buttercream 1. Cook the egg whites and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat, whisking constantly, until the sugar is completely dissolved (test by rubbing some between your fingers. If it's completely smooth, it's done).
2. Pour into another bowl (a stand mixer is preferable) and whip on high speed until room temp. Then, on a medium-slow speed, slowly add the butter, a few pieces at a time, waiting until each addition is fully incorporated before adding more. After it has all been added, whip it until it thickens up, about five minutes, and add the vanilla.
3. Remove half of the buttercream, place in a separate bowl, and whip in the chocolate. Add the caramel to the remaining half. It may be necessary to heat the caramel slightly to make sure it is the correct consistency, but be careful it's not so hot that it will melt the buttercream!
Super Chocolate Cake 1. Preheat the oven to 350 F then grease and line two 6 inch pans.
2. Heat cream until steaming, then pour over chocolate. Allow to set for 5 minutes, then whisk gently to combine. Allow to cool to room temp.
3. In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside
4. Cream the butter and sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time, and then add both yolks plus the vanilla. Then, alternating between wet and dry (beginning with wet), add the flour and cream mixtures in 2 additions each. Be sure to scrape down the bowl!
5. Divide batter into the two prepared pans and bake 35-40 min.
Assembly Level and split each layer of cake so you have four layers of equal height. Fill with caramel buttercream, crumb coat with either frosting, and then frost completely with the chocolate buttercream. I decorated very simply by drizzling chocolate over the edges of the [chilled] cake. Additional caramel would also be great :) |