Recipe Station

Like I said, a lot goes into making this delectable dessert, but don't let that stop you from giving it a try! Just make sure you have the following ingredients:

Ingredients To Gather: 

• 3/4 cup butter, room temperature

• 2 1/4 cups sugar

• 3/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 3 eggs

• 2 cups all purpose flour

• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

• 1 teaspoon baking powder 3/4 teaspoon salt

• 1 1/4 cups brewed coffee

• 1/4 cup milk

For the chocolate buttercream frosting, you'll need:

• 1 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 11 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 cup heavy cream

Lastly, for the chocolate curls:

• 8 ounces (1 cup) semi-sweet chocolate
• 2 tablespoons vegetable shortening

Still with me? Great! Now you're ready to get started:

1. Prepare two 9 inch round baking pans by greasing them, then lining the bottoms with parchment paper. Grease parchment paper then dust the pans with flour. Set aside.
2. Beat Butter on medium speed until fluffy, add in sugar and beat until lighter in color. Add in Cocoa powder and vanilla, beat well to combine. Add in eggs, one at a time beating well after each addition.
3. Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Combine coffee and milk.
4. Alternating, add flour and coffee to batter, starting and ending with flour, mixing just until each addition is combined in to batter. Make sure to scrape down sides of bowl occasionally.
5. Divide batter evenly between the 2 prepared pans. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes. Test for doneness using a toothpick inserted in center.
6. Let cakes cool in Pan for 30 minutes before turning out onto racks to cool completely.

To make the buttercream:

Cream together butter, shortening and salt until smooth and creamy. Add cocoa powder and vanilla extract, beat again. Add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, beating slowly to make sure sugar is fully incorporated. Slowly add cream until desired stiffness is reached.

As for the chocolate curls:

Place chocolate and shortening in a microwave safe dish, microwave on high for about 45 seconds. Remove from microwave and stir until chocolate is completely melted and no lumps remain. Using an offset spatula, spread chocolate in a thin layer on a cold metal baking sheet. Place in the freezer for about 5 minutes to harden. Using a flat metal spatula, scrap chocolate away from you to form curls. Refrigerate curls until ready to use.

You're not done yet! Now you need to stack the layers. Or, if you're like me and are completely exhausted at this point, no one will blame you if you just put it all together in a huge bowl and dig in while catching up on some Netflix. Just make sure you have some milk to wash it all down!

Article Source: Chocolate, Chocolate, and More