Servings: 12 Servings
Calories: 1680kcal
Equipment
- Stand mixer/Mixing bowl
- baking sheet
Ingredients
For Cake:
- 2 cups of freshly brewed coffee a liquid symphony to awaken the senses
- 4 cups of golden ambrosial sugar the nectar of sweetness
- 2 cups of cultured buttermilk the creamy conductor of this batter orchestra
- 4 cups of versatile all-purpose flour the foundation of this culinary masterpiece
- 1 1/2 cups of Dutch-processed cocoa the deep, chocolatey soul of the cake
- 1 cup of luscious sour cream or the Greek yogurt twist for a tangy melody
- 4 teaspoons of baking soda the effervescent lift to every bite
- 4 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract the essence of aromatic elegance
- 2 teaspoons of baking powder the secret agent of fluffiness
- 6 large eggs the golden orbs of binding harmony
- 1 cup of vegetable oil the liquid gold that keeps it moist
- 2 teaspoons of sea salt harvested from the whispers of the ocean
- 8 ounces of dark chocolate the mysterious depth in every mouthful
For Frosting:
- 3 cups of Dutch-processed cocoa the velvety cloak of chocolaty luxury
- 2 tablespoons of vanilla extract the fragrant bridge to sweetness
- 16 ounces of cream cheese the creamy virtuoso in this frosting symphony
- 3 cups of unsalted butter the unsung hero of indulgence
- 1/2 cup of heavy whipping cream the ethereal cloud to lighten the richness
- 12 ounces of powdered sugar the snowy dusting of sweetness
- 1 teaspoon of salt the invisible enhancer to balance the sweetness
For Ganache (optional):
- 1 1/2 cups of heavy whipping cream the liquid cascade for ganache decadence
- 2 cups of dark chocolate chips the indulgent jewels in this optional crown
Instructions
Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour three 9-inch round cake pans.
Prepare Wet Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine hot water (or brewed coffee), buttermilk, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. Mix well.
Melt Dark Chocolate:
- In a separate bowl, melt the dark chocolate using a double boiler or in short bursts in the microwave. Add the melted chocolate to the wet ingredients and mix until smooth.
Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In another bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, sugar, Dutch-processed cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and sea salt.
Mix Batter:
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
Bake:
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cake pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Prepare Frosting:
- While the cakes are baking, prepare the frosting. In a large bowl, beat together unsalted butter, Dutch-processed cocoa, vanilla extract, cream cheese, heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and salt until smooth and fluffy.
Cool Cakes:
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Frost the Cake:
- Once the cakes are completely cooled, frost between the layers and over the top and sides with the chocolate frosting.
Make Ganache (optional):
- For an optional ganache topping, heat heavy whipping cream until it simmers, then pour it over dark chocolate chips. Stir until smooth and glossy. Allow it to cool slightly before pouring it over the frosted cake.
Chill (optional):
- If you’ve added ganache, you can chill the cake in the refrigerator for a short time to set the ganache.
Slice and Serve:
- Slice and serve this decadent Costco-style chocolate cake. Enjoy the rich and indulgent flavors!
Note:
- This recipe makes a large cake, so it’s perfect for gatherings or celebrations. Adjust quantities if needed for a smaller cake.
Notes
• Make sure to use room-temperature ingredients when making this cake.
• If the frosting is too thick, add more milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you have reached the desired consistency.
• If the frosting is too thin, add more powdered sugar, one tablespoon at a time, until you have reached the desired consistency.
• If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make your own by combining 1 ¼ cups of milk with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice. Let stand for 5 minutes and then use as directed.
• To make sure the cake is fully cooked, insert a toothpick into the center of the cake and make sure it comes out clean.
• For a richer flavor, you can add 1 cup of melted semi-sweet chocolate chips to the cake batter.
Nutrition
Calories: 1680kcal
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